HEARING: KU Bowl Destination Down to Two

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.

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.