The game selection committee extends an invitation to the highest-standing team from the Great American Conference (GAC) which does not qualify for the NCAA Division II Football Championship playoffs. The opponent is an at-large team selected from either the Lone Star Conference (LSC) or the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA). The MIAA and LSC were previously tied into the Kanza Bowl, which was played from 2009 to 2012. Teams from the GAC, LSC, and MIAA are also eligible for the Heritage Bowl.
