The No. 17 University of Arizona football team (9-3, 6-3 Big 12) is set to face off against Southern Methodist University at the Trust and Will Holiday Bowl at Snapdragon Stadium on Friday, Jan. 2, 2026, in San Diego. The Wildcats return to the holiday howl for its third appearance, with prior showings in 1998 and 2009.
Wildcats season and key players
Arizona enters the game riding a five-game winning streak, highlighted by a significant victory in the Territorial Cup against ASU. Star quarterback Noah Fifita has solidified his status as one of the greatest players in Wildcats’ history by breaking the school’s all time passing touchdown record. On the defensive side, Arizona has been one of the nation’s top units, ranking in the top 20 and allowing only 18.9 points per game. The defense has also excelled at creating turnovers, averaging more than two takeaways per contest.
SMU: Season highlights and offensive strengths
SMU narrowly missed a spot in the ACC Championship Game, falling to the University of California, Berkeley in a dramatic, last-minute 38-35 defeat.
Despite the setback, the Mustangs have showcased one of the most dynamic aerial offenses in college football this season. Their passing game remains a primary weapon, posing a significant challenge for Arizona’s highly regarded secondary.
Leading the charge is quarterback Kevin Jennings, who stands out as one of the nation’s top passers, ranking ninth in the Division I Football Bowl Subdivision for passing yards per game. Jennings has demonstrated remarkable consistency and effectiveness, even without a clear-cut number one receiver. Instead, Jennings excels at distributing the ball to a variety of targets, ensuring that multiple receivers are actively involved in the offense. This balanced approach keeps opposing defenses on their heels and is a key factor in SMU’s offensive success.
What to expect
Fans can look forward to a high-energy contest as Arizona’s acclaimed secondary faces one of the nation’s most efficient passing attacks. The game will feature a classic strength-versus-strength battle, with the outcome likely hinging on Arizona’s ability to force Jennings into making mistakes. If Arizona can capitalize on red-zone opportunities and force SMU into turnovers, they should come away with the victory.
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