Both teams came into the Thomas Robinson National Stadium in Nassau with a lot to play for.
Eastern Michigan was in the postseason for the first time since the 1987 California Bowl, coming off of a (largely) unexpected season, which saw the Eagles go 7-5 (4-4 MAC) just a year after rumors swirled the program could be facing a shutdown.
Old Dominion was playing in its first bowl in program history, after the program went dormant for 69 years. ODU was in the Colonial Athletic Conference starting in 2009 and has made plenty of noise in Conference USA since entering in 2014, nearly advancing to the championship game this season on the strength of a 9-3 (7-1) record.