The Aggies, coached by
Harry Stiteler, entered the contest with a 6–4 record. A&M had posted victories over Nevada, Texas Tech, VMI, TCU, Arkansas, and SMU; while dropping contests against Oklahoma, Baylor, Rice, and Texas. The game was A&M's first post-season appearance since a 19–14 defeat at the hands of LSU in the 1944 Orange Bowl. Having posted records of 0–9–1 and 1–8–1 in his first two seasons in College Station, the 1950 season marked a huge turn-around for Stiteler's program. Prior to the bowl game, he reported that he was attacked and beaten by a stranger near the Shamrock Hotel in
Houston, where Stiteler had been scheduled to address a group of Texas A&M alumni. A press report stated that he did not provide details to the police. Meanwhile, in Athens, Coach Wally Butts' Bulldogs had scratched out a 6–2–3 record. The Red & Black enjoyed victories over Maryland, Mississippi State, Boston College, Florida, Auburn, and Furman; fought to ties with Saint Mary's, North Carolina, and LSU; and lost 14–7 against Alabama, and 7–0 to Georgia Tech. The trip to College Park was Georgia's 7th bowl venture, and would be UGA's first December bowl outing. ==Game summary==