The game was played between the Tulane Green Wave from the American Athletic Conference (AAC) and the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns from the Sun Belt Conference. Both teams made their first appearance in a Cure Bowl. This game was the 27th all time meeting against the Ragin' Cajuns and the Green Wave, with Tulane leading the series 22–4; this was their second meeting in a bowl.
Louisiana won the Sun Belt West Division title, earning a berth in the inaugural Sun Belt Championship, where they lost to Appalachian State.[7] The Ragin' Cajuns entered the bowl with a 7–6 record (5–3 in conference).
Tulane received and accepted a bid to the Cure Bowl on December 2.[8] The Green Wave, who were co-champions of the West Division of the AAC, entered the bowl with a 6–6 record (5–3 in conference).