The game was played between Virginia Tech of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) and Cincinnati of the American Athletic Conference (The American).

[6] The two programs had previously met 11 times, with Virginia Tech holding a 6–5 lead in the series.

[7] It was their second meeting in the Military Bowl, having previously contested the 2014 edition, with Virginia Tech winning 33–17.

Virginia Tech received and accepted a bid to the Military Bowl on December 2.

[8] Cincinnati received and accepted a bid to the Military Bowl on December 2.