The game's title sponsor was AdvoCare, an American dietary supplement company.

This marked Missouri's third appearance in the Independence Bowl in the previous nine seasons, all under head coach Gary Pinkel, while North Carolina made its first appearance in this bowl.

The two teams had previously met twice with Missouri winning both games, in 1973 (27–14 in Chapel Hill) and 1976 (24–3 in Columbia).

It marked North Carolina’s first game against a member of the Big 12 conference since a 52–21 loss to Texas in Chapel Hill in 2002.

Sophomore quarterback Bryn Renner was a starter that year, who tied the school record with 23 touchdown passes.