This was the fifth meeting between Texas State and Rice; the series was tied at 2–2 entering the game.
The Bobcats entered the game with a 7–5 record (4–4 in the Sun Belt), tied for second place in their conference's West Division.
[6] The Owls entered the game with a 6–6 record (4–4 in The American), tied for fifth place in the conference.
JT Daniels began the season as Rice's starting quarterback, but left the Owls' week nine game against SMU on November 1 with a concussion after taking a shot to the helmet in the second quarter.
[7] A month later, on December 1, Daniels announced that he would be retiring from football due to the multiple concussions he sustained during his career.