Based on conference tie-ins, the game featured the
California Golden Bears of the
Pac-12 Conference and the
Texas Tech Red Raiders of the
Big 12 Conference. This was the second meeting between California and Texas Tech. The Red Raiders won their only previous meeting, defeating the Golden Bears, 45–31, in the
2004 Holiday Bowl.
California This was California's first Independence Bowl. It was also the Golden Bears' final game as a member of the Pac-12, as they committed to join the
Atlantic Coast Conference for the 2024 season. Cal opened their 2023 season by winning three of their first five games, with the losses coming to
Auburn and
Washington. However, Cal lost each of their subsequent four games, all to ranked Pac-12 foes. This caused them to fall to a record of 3–6, which meant that they would be eliminated from bowl contention with any further losses. However, the Golden Bears managed to win each of their final three games, with running back
Jaydn Ott rushing for over 400 yards in the three wins. This allowed them to clinch bowl eligibility in the final week of the season, with a record of 6–6.
Texas Tech This was Texas Tech's third Independence Bowl. The Red Raiders were 0–2 in their previous appearances, having lost the
1986 edition and the
1998 edition, both to
Ole Miss. Texas Tech lost three of their first four games to open their 2023 campaign, with the sole victory coming against FCS
Tarleton State. Combined with an injury to starting quarterback
Tyler Shough, Texas Tech faced an uphill battle to clinch bowl eligibility. However, the Red Raiders rebounded by winning five of their next seven games in Big 12 play, with the last being a 24–23 victory over
UCF to earn the team's sixth win and become bowl-eligible. Texas Tech closed their regular season with a 7–57 loss to
Texas, and entered the Independence Bowl with a record of 6–6. ==Game summary==