On December 18, it was announced that the game had officially sold out of tickets, the first such sellout in the Armed Forces Bowl's 16-year history.

When fourth-ranked Oklahoma was selected for the College Football Playoff, a Big 12 bowl tie-in was left open.

Army, an FBS Independent, was selected to fill this opening, facing off with The American member Houston.

[9] Army received and accepted a bid to the Armed Forces Bowl on December 2.

[9] The Black Knights subsequently won the Army–Navy Game on December 8, and entered the bowl with a 10–2 record.