Heading into the game, Ohio University finished their regular season slate with a perfect 10–0–0 record.
The 1970 Ohio Bobcats football team had one of the most potent offenses the nation and was spearheaded by quarterback Cleve Bryant.
Ohio was one of only three NCAA programs to finish their regular season with an unbeaten and untied record.
They were decided underdogs against Ohio and the national media did not give them much of a chance to compete, let alone win the game.
The upset-minded Spiders did just that, however, winning their first-ever postseason bowl game 49–42.