The game was sponsored by web hosting service company GoDaddy.
It was the third overall meeting between these two teams, with Toledo leading the series 2–0 prior to the kickoff.
After the Rockets finished the regular season with an 8–4 record, they accepted their invitation to play in the game.
After the Red Wolves finished the regular season with a 7–5 record, bowl director Jerry Silverstein extended an invitation to play in the game.
[6] This was the Red Wolves' fourth GoDaddy Bowl, extending their record for most appearances in the game.