The game featured the
Northwestern Wildcats, champions of the
Big Ten West Division, and the
Utah Utes, champions of the
Pac-12 South Division.[7] The programs had previously met twice, with Northwestern winning in 1927 and Utah winning in 1981.[8]
Northwestern was defeated in the
2018 Big Ten Football Championship Game on December 1 by
Ohio State, then received and accepted a bid to the Holiday Bowl on December 2.[7] The Wildcats entered the bowl with an 8–5 record (8–1 in conference).
Utah was defeated in the
2018 Pac-12 Football Championship Game on November 30 by
Washington, then received and accepted a bid to the Holiday Bowl on December 2.[7] The Utes entered the bowl with a 9–4 record (6–3 in conference).
The game featured the
Northwestern Wildcats, champions of the
Big Ten West Division, and the
Utah Utes, champions of the
Pac-12 South Division.[7] The programs had previously met twice, with Northwestern winning in 1927 and Utah winning in 1981.[8]
Northwestern was defeated in the
2018 Big Ten Football Championship Game on December 1 by
Ohio State, then received and accepted a bid to the Holiday Bowl on December 2.[7] The Wildcats entered the bowl with an 8–5 record (8–1 in conference).
Utah was defeated in the
2018 Pac-12 Football Championship Game on November 30 by
Washington, then received and accepted a bid to the Holiday Bowl on December 2.[7] The Utes entered the bowl with a 9–4 record (6–3 in conference).