Both teams had a 6–6 record coming in to the game, making the Texas Bowl the only bowl game of the season without a team with a winning record.
[6] Despite featuring a pair of .500 teams, fans were treated to one of the highest-scoring games of the bowl season that included five touchdown plays of 50 yards or more, and more than 1,200 yards (combined) of total offense.
[8] The teams had previously met twice, with Baylor winning both games, played in 1953 and 1954.
[8] Baylor received and accepted a bid to the Texas Bowl on December 2.
Vanderbilt received and accepted a bid to the Texas Bowl on December 2.