Sponsored by Vrbo, a vacation rental marketplace owned by the HomeAway division of Expedia, the game was officially known as the VRBO Citrus Bowl.
In the first meeting between the two programs, the game featured the Kentucky Wildcats of the Southeastern Conference (SEC) and the Iowa Hawkeyes of the Big Ten Conference.
Both teams received and accepted invitations on Sunday, December 5.
[5] The Wildcats entered the Citrus Bowl with a 9–3 record (5–3 SEC) and a No.
The Hawkeyes, winners of the Big Ten West Division, entered the Citrus Bowl with a 10–3 record (7–2 B1G) and a No.