The Navy Midshipmen football team is a member of the American Athletic Conference in its West Division.

They represented the West Division in the American Athletic Conference Championship Game.

Since Navy entered its conference finale against SMU at #25 in the CFP rankings, and won that game 75–31, the Midshipmen earned hosting rights.

The Temple Owls went 7–1 in American Athletic Conference play, finishing 1st in the East Division for the second straight year.

Due to their win over South Florida, they represented the East Division in the American Athletic Conference Championship Game.