This was the final game under the title sponsor automotive chain Quick Lane Tire and Auto Center.
This was the fifth meeting between Bowling Green and Minnesota; entering the game, the all-time series was tied at 2–2.
[6] The Falcons entered the game with a 7–5 record (5–3 in the MAC), having finished in third place in their conference's East Division.
The Golden Gophers entered the game with a 5–7 record (3–6 in the Big Ten), having finished tied for fourth place in their conference's West Division.
Under normal circumstances, a losing record would make Minnesota bowl-ineligible; however, because of insufficient bowl-eligible teams to fill all bowl berths, the Golden Gophers received a berth due to having the highest Academic Progress Rate (APR) among 5–7 teams.