The Irish were 1–1 before going on an 8-game winning streak that made them ranked number 9, until a loss to USC in the last game of the season as they tried to break their losing streak in bowl games, which was at three. Georgia Tech were second in the Atlantic Coast Conference with a loss to Florida State costing them the ACC title. This was Georgia Tech's fifth Gator Bowl and first since 1965. This was Notre Dame's first Gator Bowl since 1976.