Multiple programs opted out of, or were otherwise removed from, bowl consideration in advance of the final College Football Playoff (CFP) rankings being released on December 20 (date announced):
LSU Tigers (December 9)—opted out of bowl consideration as part of a self-imposed one-year postseason ban over Level III sanctions involving former LSU wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr.[32] Boston College Eagles (December 10)—opted out.[33] Pittsburgh Panthers (December 11)—opted out.[34] Virginia Cavaliers (December 13)—opted out.[35] Stanford Cardinal (December 13)—opted out.[36] Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (December 14)—opted out.[37] SMU Mustangs (December 15)—originally selected to play in the Frisco Bowl,[38] but withdrew due to pandemic concerns within the team,[39] leading to the bowl's cancellation.[40] Kansas State Wildcats (December 16)—opted out.[41] Virginia Tech Hokies (December 16)—opted out.[42] The program had appeared in 27 consecutive bowl games, dating back to the 1993 Independence Bowl.[42] At the time of opting out, this was the longest active bowl appearance streak,[42] and the fourth-longest in college football history.[43] Louisville Cardinals (December 16)—advised by the ACC that "we’re not in line for a bowl".[44] San Diego State Aztecs (December 16)—opted out.[45] UCLA Bruins (December 17)—opted out.[46] Utah Utes (December 18)—opted out.[47] Washington Huskies (December 18)—opted out.[48] The Huskies also had to give up their spot in the 2020 Pac-12 Football Championship Game, due to having an insufficient number of players available.[49] USC Trojans (December 19)—opted out.[50] Penn State Nittany Lions (December 19)—opted out.[51] Minnesota Golden Gophers (December 20)—opted out.[52] Nebraska Cornhuskers (December 20)—opted out.[53] Michigan State Spartans (December 20)—opted out.[54] Arizona State Sun Devils (December 20)—opted out.[55] Maryland Terrapins (December 20)—opted out.[56] Boise State Broncos (December 20)—opted out.[57] The program had appeared in 18 consecutive bowl games, dating back to the 2002 Humanitarian Bowl.