Kansas and Iowa seem to have come to a consensus that bowling is better suited for Pete Weber, birthday parties for kids, and local leagues with beer involved.
And yet, they’re not exactly the same sport.
In a surprising twist, the football teams from Kansas State University and Iowa State University turned down invites to bowl games, resulting in a hefty $500,000 fine from the Big 12 for each program.
What’s interesting is that both schools have recently dealt with coaching changes. Iowa State (with an 8-4 record) lost Matt Campbell to Penn State and welcomed former Washington State coach Jimmie Rodgers. Meanwhile, Kansas State saw Chris Klieman retire and replaced him with Colin Kline, the former Texas A&M offensive coordinator and alumnus, who also played quarterback there.
The Big 12 released a statement noting, “While we understand this is a tough time with coaching adjustments, we must fulfill our contracts with bowl partners.”
Reportedly, the choice not to participate came from the players themselves. Jamie Pollard, Iowa State’s athletic director, explained, “Our students had a strong season and we appreciate their leadership as we navigated this together.”
On the other hand, Kansas State’s athletic director, Gene Taylor, made the withdrawal decision after consulting the coaching council. He said it was tough to back out, but felt it was not in the school’s best interest given the coaching shake-up and uncertainties regarding player acquisitions.
“This wasn’t an easy choice, but we thought it best not to put together a team that doesn’t fully represent Kansas State,” Taylor stated. He added that he was proud of the team for battling back to become bowl eligible.
It’s worth noting that another Big 12 team, Baylor, also chose not to compete in a bowl game. They said they preferred to focus on preparations for the 2026 season instead.
Lastly, Notre Dame has joined the list of teams opting out. They haven’t been fined yet, but their decision not to take part in the bowl scene might be linked to their exclusion from the College Football Playoff. Athletic director Pete Bevacqua shared his frustration with the rankings, calling them “a travesty and a complete waste of time.”
