which teams declined bowl games
Several notable college football programs declined bowl game invitations for the 2025–26 bowl season, including both 5–7 APR-eligible teams and fully bowl- eligible teams that simply chose not to play.
Key teams that declined bowls
From the most recent reports and aggregated lists, the teams that turned down postseason bowl bids include:
- Florida State (5–7, APR-eligible) declined a bowl invitation.
- Auburn (5–7, APR-eligible) turned down a chance to play a 13th game.
- UCF (5–7, APR-eligible) opted out due to roster and quarterback depth concerns.
- Baylor (5–7, APR-eligible) declined participation.
- Rutgers (5–7, APR-eligible) chose not to accept a bowl bid.
- Temple (5–7, APR-eligible) also turned down a bowl game.
- Kansas (5–7, APR-eligible) declined a bowl despite being needed to fill open slots.
In addition, several fully bowl-eligible programs with at least six wins decided to skip the postseason entirely:
- Notre Dame (10–2) opted out after narrowly missing the expanded College Football Playoff field.
- Iowa State (8–4) declined to play in a bowl despite a strong winning record.
- Kansas State (6–6) chose not to participate in a bowl game.
These decisions collectively contributed to difficulties in finding opponents for certain bowls, most notably the Birmingham Bowl, which struggled to secure a team to face Georgia Southern after multiple 5–7 programs passed on invites.
Mini table of declining teams
| Team | 2025 Record | Eligibility Basis | Decision |
|---|---|---|---|
| Notre Dame | 10–2 | [5][9][1]Bowl-eligible | Declined all bowl games | [5][9][1]
| Iowa State | 8–4 | [9][1]Bowl-eligible | Declined bowl invitation | [1][9]
| Kansas State | 6–6 | [9][1]Bowl-eligible | Declined bowl invitation | [1][9]
| Florida State | 5–7 | [3]APR-based | Declined bowl bid | [3]
| Auburn | 5–7 | [7][3]APR-based | Declined bowl bid | [7][3]
| UCF | 5–7 | [7][3]APR-based | Declined bowl bid | [7][3]
| Baylor | 5–7 | [9][3]APR- based | Declined bowl bid | [3][9]
| Rutgers | 5–7 | [9][3]APR-based | Declined bowl bid | [3][9]
| Temple | 5–7 | [9][3]APR-based | Declined bowl bid | [3][9]
| Kansas | 5–7 | [9][3]APR- based | Declined bowl bid | [3][9]
Why this is trending
- Many fans see these choices as a sign that lower-tier bowl games have lost prestige in the expanded playoff era, especially when 5–7 teams are needed just to fill slots.
- Message boards and forums are full of debate about whether declining bowls is smart roster management or a slap in the face to tradition, with some posters arguing that extra practices and TV exposure still matter while others think risking injury for a low-stakes game is no longer worth it.
“The bowl games are turning into the NIT” has become a common fan comparison, reflecting how some now view non-playoff bowls as consolation events rather than must-watch showcases.
Bottom note: Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.