Navy's loss is likely the Military Bowl's gain, although it is not quite official yet.
It was announced during the summer by American Athletic Conference commissioner Mike Aresco that Navy would play in the Military Bowl, provided it did not qualify for a New Year's Six bowl.
Friday's loss to Houston knocked Navy out of contention for the New Year's Six berth that goes to the highest-rated champion from the Group of Five conferences. Toledo's upset loss to Western Michigan virtually assures the winner of next Saturday's American Athletic Conference championship game between Temple and Houston will receive a berth in either the Fiesta Bowl or Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl.