The game determined the national champion of NCAA Division I FCS for the 2023 season and featured the two finalists of the 24-team playoff bracket, which began on November 25, 2023.

[3] The Sunday game began at approximately 1:00 p.m. CST and was broadcast on ABC and ESPN+.

1 in the FCS playoffs, the Jackrabbits received a first-round bye, then defeated Mercer, Villanova, and Albany, by a combined score of 123–12, to advance to the championship game.

Montana played to a 10–1 regular-season record; their only loss was to Northern Arizona in September.

2 in the FCS playoffs, the Grizzlies received a first-round bye, then defeated Delaware, Furman, and North Dakota State to advance to the championship game.