The game was played between the Tulane Green Wave from the American Athletic Conference (AAC) and the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns from the Sun Belt Conference.
Louisiana won the Sun Belt West Division title, earning a berth in the inaugural Sun Belt Championship, where they lost to Appalachian State.
[7] The Ragin' Cajuns entered the bowl with a 7–6 record (5–3 in conference).
Tulane received and accepted a bid to the Cure Bowl on December 2.
[8] The Green Wave, who were co-champions of the West Division of the AAC, entered the bowl with a 6–6 record (5–3 in conference).