Based on conference tie-ins, the game typically features teams from the Big Ten Conference and the Mid-American Conference. However, with the Big Ten securing two spots in the College Football Playoff, there were not enough additional bowl eligible teams in the conference to fulfill the obligation for this game, allowing for a replacement team.
The Aggies, an FBS independent, finished the regular season with a record of 6–6. Under normal circumstances, a 6-6 team with two wins over FCS teams would be bowl-ineligible, however, the Aggies' circumstances were anything but normal. The Aggies' scheduled game against San Jose State was cancelled in the wake of the death of Spartans freshman running back Camdan McWright. With a 5-6 record heading into the last week of the season, the Aggies applied for a waiver with the NCAA to allow them to play in a bowl game, which was granted.[4]
This is the fifth overall bowl game in New Mexico State history, the Aggies' first since the 2017 Arizona Bowl, and their first ever game played outside the Southwestern United States. It will also be New Mexico State's final game as an FBS independent, as the Aggies are set to join Conference USA in 2023.[5]
