Consistent with conference tie-ins, the game was played between teams from the
Big 12 Conference and the
Southeastern Conference (SEC). This was the second meeting between Baylor and Ole Miss; the Bears defeated the Rebels, 20–10, in
Waco on September 6, 1975, these teams' only prior meeting.
Baylor Bears Baylor completed their regular season with a 10–2 overall record, 7–2 in Big 12 games. Their losses came to
Oklahoma State and
TCU. The Bears defeated three ranked teams during the regular season:
Iowa State,
BYU, and
Oklahoma. Baylor then faced Oklahoma State again, in the
2021 Big 12 Championship Game. While Oklahoma State had won their first meeting, 24–14, the Bears won the title contest, 21–16. Baylor entered the Sugar Bowl with an overall 11–2 record, ranked sixth in the
AP Poll and seventh in the
College Football Playoff (CFP) rankings.
Ole Miss Rebels Ole Miss completed their regular season with a 10–2 overall record, 6–2 in SEC games. The Rebels lost to
Alabama and
Auburn, and defeated two ranked teams in FBS,
Arkansas and
Texas A&M. Ole Miss entered the Sugar Bowl ranked eighth in all major polls. Quarterback
Matt Corral was injured early in the first quarter and did not return to the game. ==Game summary==