I think there is one exception
by tf86 (2019-05-03 13:11:55)

In reply to: I don’t think schools can decline bowl bids  posted by bluengold07


A 5-7 team can decline a bowl bid if one is offered. I believe Missouri did so a few years back. This year no 5-7 teams went to bowl games, but starting in 2020 there almost certainly will be some, unless some existing bowls fold.

One further advantage to a bowl game (for a Group of Five school, at least) is the opportunity to appear on national TV on a network with broader range than CBSSN or FS1, and also with less TV competition involving Power 5 programs.