The game determined the national champion of NCAA Division I FCS for the 2022 season, featuring the finalists of the 24-team playoff bracket, which began on November 26, 2022.

[2] Played on Sunday for the first time, the game began at 1:04 p.m. CST and was broadcast on ABC and ESPN+,[3][4] opposite NFL regular season finales (week 18).

3 in the FCS playoffs, the Bison received a first-round bye, then defeated Montana, Samford, and Incarnate Word to advance to the championship game.

South Dakota State played to a 10–1 regular-season record; their only loss was to Iowa (an FBS program).

1 in the FCS playoffs, the Jackrabbits received a first-round bye, then defeated Delaware, Holy Cross, and Montana State to advance to the championship game.