The third edition of the Arizona Bowl featured the New Mexico State Aggies of the Sun Belt Conference against the Utah State Aggies of the Mountain West Conference.
Kickoff was scheduled for 3:30 p.m. MST and the game aired on CBS Sports Network.
It was the 38th all-time meeting between the schools, with Utah State leading the series 30–7.
New Mexico State's appearance in this Arizona Bowl snapped their 56-year bowlless streak, which was the longest in all of FBS.
This bowl was also New Mexico State's final game as a member of the Sun Belt before going independent for 2018.