It was one of the 2015–16 bowl games that concluded the 2015 FBS football season.
[3] Coincidentally, it took place 10 years after the 2006 Fiesta Bowl, that was also played by Ohio State and Notre Dame.
That was also the last time Notre Dame participated in the Fiesta Bowl.
The participants for the game were determined by the College Football Playoff selection committee, and consisted of at-large selections and/or the highest ranked team from the "Group of Five" conferences.
The two participants were the #8 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (10–2) vs. the #7 Ohio State Buckeyes (11–1).