The matchup had different conference representatives from the inaugural 2006 game (itself the revival of the old Houston Bowl).

The original plan was C-USA versus Big 12, but the Big 12 did not have enough teams eligible for bowl games to fill the remaining slots after Oklahoma won the conference title and Kansas was selected at-large to the Orange Bowl.

The Cougars were led by interim head coach Chris Thurmond after Art Briles left the program at the conclusion of the regular season to take a similar job at Baylor.

Radio Shack, the electronics store chain based in Fort Worth, Texas, was the presenting sponsor of the NFL Network telecast.

The Horned Frogs won the game 20–13, giving the Cougars their eighth straight bowl loss - at the time the second longest streak in the NCAA (and tied for second-longest streak in NCAA history).