The 12th annual Pinstripe Bowl, the game featured the Syracuse Orange and the Minnesota Golden Gophers, teams from the Atlantic Coast Conference and the Big Ten Conference, respectively.
This was the sixth meeting between the programs; Minnesota led the all-time series, 3–2.
[6] Syracuse compiled a 7–5 regular-season record, 4–4 in conference play.
Minnesota finished their regular season with a 8–4 record, 5–4 in conference play.
The Golden Gophers ended their regular season with four wins in five games.