“What a petty thing for B12 to do,” “Should be $1M”: Fans react as Iowa State & Kansas State get hit with $500,000 fine for opting out of bowl game

The Iowa State Cyclones and Kansas State Wildcats have been $500,000 each for opting out of a bowl game. Both Big 12 teams missed the playoffs, and they've decided to wrap up the 2025 college football season.

College football fans gave their two cents on the decision.

A fan said, "What a petty thing for B12 to do! It’s a teams right to play or not play. No conference should “own” any team. This is still America last time I looked."

Another added, "Should be $1M!"

One wrote, "They should not get to revenue share from the other school’s bowl games either. This is part of the deal. Just because the “good” players said naw we gonna get ready for the draft is not the fans fault. You know how many fans that paid to go watch and support them during the regular season just got shit on? Yeah miss me with all that."

Some fans were more understanding about the decision to skip.

One said, "Wow!"

Another wrote, "Good."

One chimed in, saying, "Auburn and Rice both to a bowl."

The Iowa State Cyclones finished the season 8-4. They started the season with a five-game winning streak before suffering four straight losses. They then closed out their campaign with a four-game winning run.

The Kansas State Wildcats posted a 6-6 record. The Wildcats secured bowl game eligibility with a Week 14 win over the Colorado Buffaloes. However, they've decided to skip the game.

Iowa State and Kansas State players voted against playing in bowl games

The players decided to skip playing in bowl games. According to The Athletic,

"Iowa State and Kansas State players have voted against playing in bowl games this month, ending both teams’ seasons and opening the door for two 5-7 teams to earn spots."

The report states that Iowa State's athletic department announced its decision on Sunday morning. It comes just days after coach Matt Campbell left to take Penn State’s opening.

As for Kansas State, their long-time coach Chris Klieman announced his retirement on Wednesday. So, it was unclear as to who'd coach the Wildcats in a bowl game. A player vote was scheduled for Thursday, and the players duly opted out.

With both Iowa State and Kansas State opting out, there are now bowl game spots open for two 5-7 programs. These slots will be determined using Academic Progress Report (APR) scores. Auburn and Florida State have the choice of first refusal, as both programs had an APR score of 990 last year.