Consistent with conference tie-ins, the bowl featured the
Bowling Green Falcons of the
Mid-American Conference (MAC) and the
Minnesota Golden Gophers of the
Big Ten Conference. This was the fifth meeting between Bowling Green and Minnesota; entering the game, the all-time series was tied at 2–2.
Bowling Green Falcons The Falcons entered the game with a 7–5 record (5–3 in the MAC), having finished in third place in their conference's East Division. This was Bowling Green's second Quick Lane Bowl, making the Falcons the second team (after Minnesota) to appear in multiple Quick Lane Bowls. The Falcons previously lost the
2022 edition to
New Mexico State.
Minnesota Golden Gophers The Golden Gophers entered the game with a 5–7 record (3–6 in the Big Ten), having finished tied for fourth place in their conference's West Division. Under normal circumstances, a losing record would make Minnesota bowl-ineligible; however, because of insufficient bowl-eligible teams to fill all bowl berths, the Golden Gophers received a berth due to having the highest
Academic Progress Rate (APR) among 5–7 teams. This was Minnesota's third Quick Lane Bowl, giving them the most appearances in the game. The Golden Gophers previously became the first team both to appear in and to win multiple Quick Lane Bowls, having won the
2015 edition (which they also entered with a 5–7 record) and the
2018 edition. ==Game summary==