The game matched the UCF Knights of the American Athletic Conference (The American) and the Marshall Thundering Herd of Conference USA (C–USA).
UCF entered the bowl with a 9–3 record (6–2 in conference), having finished in second place in the East Division of The American.
Marshall entered the game with an 8–4 record (6–2 in conference); they finished tied for second in the East Division of C–USA.
The Thundering Herd were the defending Gasparilla Bowl champions, their 2018 team having won that season's Gasparilla Bowl over South Florida, 38–20.
at Raymond James Stadium • Tampa, Florida