The game began at 5:37 p.m. MST[6] and aired on ABC;[7] this time was switched with that of the Las Vegas Bowl due to an NFL scheduling decision.
Both teams were missing several players due to injuries, draft opt-outs, and the NCAA transfer portal; these included SMU wide receiver Rashee Rice, who was nursing a toe injury and decided to begin draft preparations, and BYU linebacker Keenan Pili, who entered the transfer portal after the Cougars' regular season concluded.
[8] The Mustangs, representing the American Athletic Conference, began Rhett Lashlee's first season as head coach with a rivalry game matchup at North Texas, which they won convincingly, 48–10.
[12][13] They opened AAC conference play with a Wednesday night away game at UCF, delayed from the prior Saturday by Hurricane Ian.
[22] The Mustangs will be without wide receiver Rashee Rice and offensive lineman Jaylon Thomas, who are out with toe and shoulder injuries, respectively, and began NFL draft preparations following the conclusion of the regular season.
[32] Now 4–5, the Cougars turned the tides and finished the regular season with three consecutive victories, first against Boise State on the road by a field goal.
[33] After a bye week, the Cougars defeated FCS Utah Tech[34] before rounding out their regular season with a nine-point win over Stanford.
[37] The game was originally scheduled for 12:30 p.m. MST on ESPN, but was moved back to allow the Las Vegas Bowl to begin at an earlier time.
[39] The game was officiated by a crew from the Sun Belt Conference, led by referee Ted Pitts and umpire Trenton Crawford.