Kansas State and Iowa State: Bowl Game Choices Lead to Fines

Kansas State and Iowa State have made headlines in the college football world by opting out of postseason bowl games, a decision that has cost each program a hefty $500,000 fine from the Big 12 Conference. While bowling might be synonymous with leisure pursuits, these universities have confirmed that they are steering clear of that arena this year.

The Decision to Skip Bowl Games

Both programs faced significant transitions this offseason, losing their head coaches to different opportunities. Here’s a close look at the details:

Coaching Changes

• Iowa State (Record: 8-4): The Cyclones parted ways with head coach Matt Campbell, who took a position at Penn State. Iowa State hired Jimmy Rogers, previously from Washington State, as his successor.

• Kansas State: Following the retirement of Chris Klieman, the Wildcats hired Collin Klein, an alumnus and former quarterback, who served as Texas A&M’s offensive coordinator.

Reasons for Withdrawal

The Big 12 Conference acknowledged the challenging timing associated with these coaching transitions in their statement. They emphasized the need to uphold their commitments to bowl partners. Athletic directors from both universities provided insights into their decisions:

• Iowa State’s Stance: Athletic director Jamie Pollard noted that the players unanimously chose to decline a bowl invitation. "Our student-athletes have had an incredible season and we are grateful for their leadership," he stated.

• Kansas State’s Rationale: Athletic director Gene Taylor explained that his decision followed discussions with the football team’s leadership. He expressed respect for the team’s efforts, stating, "We applaud this group for fighting back from a 2-4 record to lead us to bowl eligibility yet again."

Consequences of Opting Out

Aside from the imposed $500,000 fines, the decisions from both programs to pass on bowl games reflect broader issues affecting college football, especially concerning multi-dimensional player commitments and coaching changes.

Other Programs Following Suit

Kansas State and Iowa State aren’t the only teams choosing to sit out postseason play. Baylor has also declined a bowl invitation due to their deep preparation for the upcoming 2026 season. In a related move, Notre Dame (10-2) opted out of second-tier bowl games following their exclusion from the College Football Playoff, citing dissatisfaction with the playoff rankings. Athletic director Pete Bevacqua called the rankings a “farce and total waste of time.”

College Football Playoff Overview

While Kansas State and Iowa State will not participate in bowl games, the College Football Playoff offers an exciting slate of matchups. Here’s a brief overview of the upcoming games:

Round 1 Matchups

• No. 9 Alabama vs. No. 8 Oklahoma on Dec. 19 at 8 p.m. ET
• No. 10 Miami vs. No. 7 Texas A&M on Dec. 20 at 12 p.m. ET
• No. 11 Tulane vs. No. 6 Ole Miss on Dec. 20 at 3:30 p.m. ET
• No. 12 James Madison vs. No. 5 Oregon on Dec. 20 at 7:30 p.m. ET

Quarterfinals

• Winner of No. 10 Miami/No. 7 Texas A&M vs. No. 2 Ohio State on Dec. 31 at 7:30 p.m. ET
• Winner of No. 12 James Madison/No. 5 Oregon vs. No. 4 Texas Tech on Jan. 1 at 12 p.m. ET
• Winner of No. 9 Alabama/No. 8 Oklahoma vs. No. 1 Indiana on Jan. 1 at 4 p.m. ET
• Winner of No. 11 Tulane/No. 6 Ole Miss vs. No. 3 Georgia on Jan. 1 at 8 p.m. ET

Conclusion

The decisions by Kansas State and Iowa State to forgo bowl games reflect both strategic planning amidst coaching changes and the players’ voices in shaping their team’s destiny. As the College Football Playoff excites fans with compelling matchups, these institutions will look towards rebuilding and planning for more promising futures.

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