The Arizona vs. SMU Holiday Bowl matchup will kick off at 8:00 p.m. ET on FOX. With the Wildcats laying 1.5 points and the total sitting at 52, what’s the best bet on the board tonight in San Diego, CA?
Arizona vs. SMU Game Information
- 📅 Date: Friday, January 2, 2026
- 🕠 Kickoff: 8:00 PM ET on FOX
- 📍 Location: Snapdragon Stadium, San Diego, CA
Arizona vs. SMU Betting Odds
| Team | Spread | Total | ML |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona | -1.5 | 52 | -115 |
| SMU | +1.5 | 52 | -105 |
Who Is The Public Betting
| Team | % of Bets | Open | Current |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona | 49% | -1.5 | -1.5 |
| SMU | 51% | +1.5 | +1.5 |
Numbers update frequently — check the latest splits on our college football public betting chart before placing any bets.
🏈 Team Overviews
Arizona Wildcats (9-3)
Arizona has emerged as one of the country’s most improved teams, flipping a 4-8 record from a year ago into a 9-3 campaign under head coach Brent Brennan. The Wildcats closed the regular season on a five-game win streak and have a chance to notch only their fifth 10-win season in school history with a Holiday Bowl victory.
Offense:
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Senior QB Noah Fifita has paced the Wildcats with nearly 3,000 passing yards and 26 touchdowns this season, operating efficiently in coordinator Brennan’s balanced attack.
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Arizona averages just over 400 yards and 32.6 points per game, ranking among the FBS’s more productive offensive units.
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Key targets like WR Kris Hutson have been integral down the stretch, contributing big plays in crucial wins.
Defense:
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The Wildcats boast one of the nation’s best pass defenses, allowing only ~156 yards per game through the air (fourth-best in FBS) and holding eight straight opponents under 200 passing yards.
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Arizona has generated 28 turnovers this season, an elite figure nationally and a key factor in its late-season surge.
Arizona’s disciplined defense and efficient offense have made them formidable, especially in close games — they’re favored narrowly in this matchup.
SMU Mustangs (8-4)
SMU’s breakthrough season under head coach Rhett Lashlee culminated in an 8-4 record and a Holiday Bowl berth representing the ACC. The Mustangs have leaned on a high-powered passing attack while making strides defensively in key areas.
Offense:
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QB Kevin Jennings has been at the heart of SMU’s balanced attack, throwing for 3,363 yards and 26 touchdowns, ranking among the nation’s top passers.
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SMU’s offense averages ~419 yards and nearly 33 points per game, with the passing game ranking top-15 nationally in yardage.
Defense:
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While opportunistic — ranking high nationally in turnovers gained and red-zone defense — SMU’s pass defense has been a liability, surrendering over 280 passing yards per game.
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The Mustangs have been stout against the run and effective creating takeaways, balancing out some of the pressure on their secondary.
SMU’s mix of big-play offense and opportunistic defense gives them a clear path to scoring points, even if the matchup tests some of their defensive limitations.
📈 Series & Bowl History
Arizona and SMU have met just twice previously — once in 1938 and again in 1985 — with each team claiming one win, leaving the all-time series even. This will be their first meeting in decades and the first postseason clash.
🧠 Key Storylines
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Arizona aims for a rare 10-win season and its third Holiday Bowl appearance ever, building on a remarkable turnaround from 2024.
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SMU’s explosive passing attack stands in contrast to Arizona’s defense-first approach, creating a high-stakes stylistic matchup.
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Both teams are expected to be near full strength with minimal opt-outs, adding intrigue to this premium bowl game.
🏆 Prediction Snapshot
This Holiday Bowl promises a tactical chess match: Arizona’s elite pass defense versus SMU’s dynamic air attack. If the Wildcats can disrupt Jennings and force turnovers, their balanced offense should be enough to secure a close win. However, if SMU’s secondary continues to give up big plays, Arizona’s scoring opportunities could be more plentiful. Arizona 27, SMU 24.
📌 Projected Winner: Arizona Wildcats -1.5
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