Army left out in Bowl Day marred by cancellations, opt outs

FILE - This Dec. 9, 2017, file photo shows Army's Ahmad Bradshaw holding up the Commander-in-Chief's Trophy after Army defeated Navy in an NCAA college football game in Philadelphia. Army coach Jeff Monken is focused on one thing _ capturing the Commander-in-Chief's Trophy. The Black Knights can take the first step toward winning the coveted hardware, emblematic of supremacy among the three service academies, when Air Force visits Michie Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)

Army takes on Navy during a foggy first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020, in West Point, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

FILE - In this Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020, file photo, Army head coach Jeff Monken looks on against Navy during the first half of an NCAA college football game in West Point, N.Y., in the 121st playing of the Army-Navy game. Army has a 9-2 record and was planning to play in the Independence Bowl. When that bowl game was called off because there was not another team available, it suddenly left Army looking for a postseason opponent. The Black Knights could be in line should some bowl-bound team find itself dealing with COVID-19 issues. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger, File)

Kentucky defensive back Carrington Valentine (14) tackles South Carolina running back Kevin Harris (20) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Dec. 5, 2020, in Lexington, Ky. (AP Photo/Bryan Woolston)

FILE - Army head coach Jeff Monken watches in the second half of an NCAA college football game against Michigan in Ann Arbor, Mich., Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019. Monken has his Black Knights back in the national rankings after an off year, but in this crazy season they suddenly have a forced bye week that actually might be a blessing in disguise. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya, File)

A sign promoting the Rose Bowl Game is seen outside the Rose Bowl Stadium Saturday, Dec. 19, 2020, in Pasadena, Calif. No. 13 Southern California became the sixth Pac-12 team to opt out of a bowl game Saturday, Dec. 19, 2020 citing a recommendation from team doctors and discussions with players. (AP Photo/Ringo H.W. Chiu)