The game initially featured a matchup between representatives of the Southeastern Conference and the Big East Conference . The Big East was replaced by the Big Ten Conference in 2002 . Beginning with the 2006 game the Big Ten Conference was replaced by the Atlantic Coast Conference . The ACC also took part in the 2005 game , when Virginia appeared because the SEC did not have enough bowl-eligible teams . Beginning in 2014 , the Music City Bowl shares its tie in with the Gator Bowl ; the Music City Bowl receives second choice of either an ACC or Big Ten team
Big East Conference
Big East Conference (1979–2013)
Music City Bowl