The game's naming rights sponsor was tax preparation software company TaxSlayer.com,[4] and for sponsorship reasons was officially known as the TaxSlayer Bowl.

Penn State's defense surrendered 55 points in the final game of the regular season, but entered the bowl game with a restored confidence that it was healthy and prepared, particularly along the defensive line, where former walk-on end Carl Nassib – the Big Ten Conference defensive player of the year, a first-team All-American, the team's most valuable player, and winner of the Lombardi Award – and tackle Austin Johnson would return at full strength.

Coordinated by Bob Shoop, whom other teams sought to hire despite his lack of interest, Penn State was the 14th-best defense in the country in terms of yards allowed.

[23][24]: 78  In the defensive backfield, safety Marcus Allen was the leader with 75 tackles, while Grant Haley led the team with six pass breakups.

Brian Schottenheimer, offensive coordinator, lead the unit and was blamed for much of the team’s lack of success and partially for the downfall of Mark Richt himself.

Schottenheimer was much maligned as a play-caller this season after Georgia's offense sputtered and failed to move at a consistent pace.

Quarterback Greyson Lambert was efficient most of the year but was replaced as a starter for the UF game in Jacksonville, FL.

[20] Without coordinator Jeremy Pruitt, who took a similar position with Alabama, the Bulldogs defense sought to achieve continuity despite coaching changes.

[29] Penn State received the opening kickoff, converted an early third-and-long, and advanced to the periphery of field goal range before a screen pass was intercepted.

Source:[3] In the immediate aftermath of the game, Penn State quarterback Christian Hackenberg thanked his teammates, offensive coordinators, and former head coach Bill O'Brien before announcing he would forgo his final year of NCAA eligibility and enter the NFL Draft, and in doing so, he ended his three-year tenure with the Nittany Lions during which, in the words of LNP sports columnist Mike Gross, "he did everything he could" to help a program in transition.

Kirby Smart paradoxically stayed at Alabama through their post season and did not officially begin his duties at UGA until after those commenced.

While the season was still generally considered to be chaotic, disappointing, and below expectations it did end the past era of 15 years on a high note.