Kansas football has officially declined an invitation to participate in a postseason bowl game, a university spokesperson confirmed on Sunday. Despite finishing the regular season with a 5–7 record, the Jayhawks emerged as a candidate for a bowl slot after several six-win teams around the country opted out of postseason play.
According to reporting from On3’s Brett McMurphy, multiple 5–7 teams were considered to fill open bowl positions as traditional bowl-eligible programs stepped aside. Among the schools electing not to participate were Florida State, Auburn, UCF, Baylor, Rutgers, and Temple. McMurphy noted that organizers of the JLab Birmingham Bowl were seeking an opponent for Georgia Southern and ultimately selected a 5–7 Appalachian State team.
Had Kansas accepted the bid, it would have marked the program’s third bowl appearance under head coach Lance Leipold, who took over in 2021. The Jayhawks reached bowl games in both 2022 and 2023 and secured a postseason victory in the latter season. No explanation was provided for the program’s decision to decline the opportunity, though the team had already shifted into offseason mode following its late-November loss to Utah.
A bowl appearance would have granted the Jayhawks valuable extra practice sessions, particularly for developing quarterbacks competing for the 2026 starting job. It also would have offered additional reps for younger players poised to step into larger roles next season. Instead, Kansas will transition directly into winter conditioning before beginning spring practices.
The decision comes as the Big 12 Conference has taken disciplinary action against other programs choosing not to participate in bowl games. Kansas State and Iowa State, both bowl-eligible, were recently fined $500,000 each after withdrawing due to coaching transitions. The conference acknowledged those circumstances but cited contractual obligations with bowl partners.
As of Tuesday afternoon, the Big 12 has not issued any details regarding fines or penalties for Kansas. The program now shifts its full focus toward roster development, staff planning, and preparation for the 2026 campaign.
