This was the first time that Florida Atlantic and SMU had ever played each other.
[7] SMU finished their regular season with a 10–2 record (6–2 in conference).
The Mustangs finished in third place in the West Division of the American Athletic Conference.
Florida Atlantic finished their regular season atop the East Division of Conference USA (C-USA), then defeated UAB in the C-USA Championship Game, 49–6.
at FAU Stadium • Boca Raton, Florida