The bowl featured
Wisconsin of the
Big Ten Conference (Big Ten) and
Arizona State of the
Pac-12 Conference. This was the fifth meeting between the two programs, with Arizona State holding a 3–1 edge in previous meetings, the most recent occurring in 2013.[5] This was Wisconsin's first trip to the Las Vegas Bowl. This was Arizona State's third trip to the Las Vegas Bowl. They lost their two previous trips (
2011 to
Boise State, and
2018 to
Fresno State).
Wisconsin, 8-4 (6-3 in conference play), have won six out of their last seven bowl game appearances. All-American linebacker
Leo Chenal and freshman All-American tailback
Braelon Allen are top players for the Badgers.
Arizona State entered the bowl with an 8–4 record overall, and a 6–3 record in Pac-12 play. The Sun Devils finished in second place in the conference's South Division, tied with
UCLA.