The Akron Zips (7-5, 5-3 MAC) have had one of the best regular seasons in the program's division 1-A history, which dates back to 1987. The only other bowl appearance that the Zips have made since then was the Motor City Bowl in 2005, which ended in a 38-31 loss to DeAngelo Williams and the Memphis Tigers. That game came after Akron won their first ever MAC title on the same field less than a month before.
This time, Akron travels all the way to Boise, Idaho to take on the Utah State Aggies (6-6, 5-3 MWC).