HEARING: KU Bowl Destination Down to Two

KU's bowl game picture is getting a bit more clear

EVERYTHING IN THIS NEWSLETTER IS BASED UPON WHAT I AM HEARING FROM PEOPLE I TRUST. PLEASE DO NOT MISTAKE THIS FOR FACT OR FOR ACTUAL JOURNALISM, WHICH HAS VERIFICATION STANDARDS THAT I HAVE NOT ADHERED TO. I DO NOT GUARANTEE THE ACCURACY OF THE CONTENT.

If you’re having a bad day or even a bad 60 seconds, just say “bowl game.” ¹

The latest HEARINGS indicate Kansas will likely play in either Memphis for the Liberty Bowl or Phoenix for the Guaranteed Rate Bowl. I’ve been told this in the context that bowl games sometimes change their mind, but it is currently the most likely scenario. Unless someone pulls a Darrell Arthur², the most likely outcome is one of the two mentioned above. ³

CFB analysts and bowl game projection articles have KU all over the place. Many have the Jayhawks playing in Texas, which I give a lower chance of happening. Playing close to donors and players' families would be nice, but people around KU aren’t expecting it. 

The Liberty Bowl is the likely favorite. There have been indications they want KU in Memphis, and they rank above the Guaranteed Rate Bowl in its pecking order. My guess is that if they can't land Missouri, KU's odds of playing here drop. 

Some pros and cons of each:

GUARANTEED RATE BOWL:

DEC 27., Phoenix, AZ. 

Pros:

• FOOTBALL IN A BASEBALL STADIUM IS COOL

• The weather

• Golf because of the weather

Cons:

• B1G football isn't as fun as playing Mizzou

• The payout of $1.625M is on the low end.⁴

LIBERTY BOWL:

DEC. 28., MEMPHIS, TN.

Pros

• Playing an SEC team. Hello, Mizzou. Hello, Kentucky.

• Relatively drivable distance from Lawrence (8 hours ain’t awful)

• A payout of $4.7M⁵

• Did I mention playing Mizzou yet? Even Bill Self is pumped about the prospects of it.

  Jordan Guskey @JordanGuskey

  Bill Self said on Hawk Talk that he would love to see #kufball play Missouri in its bowl game. Thinks both fan bases would show out for it. #kubball

Cons: 

• The weather.

• Having to sit in the same stadium as Mizzou fans.

Let’s talk about it. Leave a comment and let me know what bowl game you’d prefer.

1.

2. https://kuathletics.com/111406aac-154/

3. DO NOT BOOK TRAVEL BASED ON THIS. JUST WAIT.

4. Most bowl, if not all, bowl game money is paid out evenly among the conference. The only difference I can figure in bowl game payouts is subsidies, so.. Maybe KU gets a little extra money from a bigger payout, but I don’t think it’s anything major

5. Most bowl, if not all, bowl game money is paid out evenly among the conference. The only difference I can figure in bowl game payouts is subsidies, so.. Maybe KU gets a little extra money from a bigger payout, but I don’t think it’s anything major