Entering the game, the Bulldogs led the all-time series, 18–1, with the Aggies' sole win coming on November 22, 2011, in Las Cruces by a score of 48–45.
The Aggies started the season just 2–3, including a 41–30 loss to a UMass team that went on to finish the year with a 3–9 record.
The Aggies earned a berth in the Conference USA Championship, where they battled back and forth with an undefeated Liberty squad, but ultimately lost, 49–35.
Despite the graduation of star quarterback Jake Haener, the Bulldogs still aimed to contend for a Mountain West title.
With starting quarterback Mikey Keene battling injury, the Bulldogs lost their final three regular-season games to fall out of contention for a Mountain West Championship.