On December 22, Texas A&M withdrew from the bowl, citing a breakout of positive COVID-19 cases and season-ending injuries limiting them to few players.
[5] On December 23, the NCAA football oversight committee approved Rutgers as the first bowl alternate, under rules whereby five-win teams are ranked by Academic Progress Rate (APR) calculations.
The NCAA also allowed the game to be postponed as late as January 10, if needed, by a replacement team.
[9] Rutgers of the Big Ten was subsequently named as a replacement team due to having the highest APR amongst candidates.
Wake Forest played two ranked teams, defeating NC State and losing to Pittsburgh.