[5] On December 20, teams from those conferences were announced as the game participants; Wake Forest of the ACC and Wisconsin of the Big Ten.
[7] Wake Forest entered the bowl with a 4–4 record (3–4 in conference play).
The Demon Deacons played two ranked teams during the season, losing to Clemson and defeating Virginia Tech.
The Badgers played three ranked teams during the season, losing to each of Northwestern, Indiana, and Iowa.
[6] at Bank of America Stadium • Charlotte, North Carolina During their post-game locker room celebration, Wisconsin quarterback Graham Mertz accidentally dropped and shattered the game trophy.