Due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Arizona, it was announced in early December that the game would be played behind closed doors, with only players' family members admitted.

[7] Oregon won the Pac-12 title after beating USC in the Pac-12 Championship Game on December 18, and received the conference's automatic bid to a New Year's Six bowl game.

Iowa State lost to Oklahoma in the Big 12 Championship Game on December 19.

They were eligible for an at-large selection to a New Year's Six bowl game, being ranked 10th in the College Football Playoff rankings on December 20, and received and accepted an invitation to the Fiesta Bowl that day.

at State Farm Stadium • Glendale, Arizona # denotes national championship game; † denotes College Football Playoff semifinal game; ‡ denotes College Football Playoff quarterfinal game