The bowl has conference tie-ins with the Big 12 and Big Ten, who supplied Oklahoma State and Wisconsin, respectively, for this game. This was the first time that the Badgers and Cowboys faced each other.[6] Oklahoma State had twice appeared in this bowl (in December 2007 and January 2015) and Wisconsin once before (in December 1996). The teams had won each of their previous appearances in this bowl.
Oklahoma State finished their regular season with a 7–5 record, 4–5 in conference play. They opened the season with five consecutive wins, and were ranked as high as No. 7, but then lost five of their remaining seven games. The Cowboys faced four ranked opponents, defeating Baylor and Texas while losing to TCU and Kansas State.
Wisconsin compiled a 6–6 regular-season record, going 4–5 in conference play. They faced one ranked opponent during the season, losing to Ohio State on September 24.