Selected for the bowl were Memphis, of The American, and Utah State, of the Mountain West Conference.
This was their eighth meeting; entering the game, the Tigers led the all-time series, 4–3.
The Tigers faced two ranked teams, losing to both Tulane and UCF.
After starting the season 1–4, the Aggies then won five of their remaining seven games to become bowl eligible.
They faced, and lost to, two ranked FBS teams, Alabama and BYU.