When No. 17 Arizona and SMU square off in the Holiday Bowl this Friday in San Diego, we’re getting something rare in today’s college football postseason: two teams showing up close to full strength, with minimal opt-outs and a whole lot to play for.
That alone makes this matchup worth watching. But when you dig into the football itself, it gets even more intriguing - a classic strength-on-strength showdown that pits SMU’s high-flying passing attack against one of the stingiest secondaries in the country.
SMU’s Air Assault vs. Arizona’s Aerial Wall
Let’s start with the Mustangs. SMU rolls into this one with the 11th-ranked passing offense in the FBS, putting up 283.5 yards per game through the air.
Quarterback Kevin Jennings has been the driving force, throwing for 3,363 yards and 26 touchdowns. The junior has already announced he’ll be back in 2026 for his final year of eligibility - a big win for a program that’s about to navigate the chaos of the transfer portal once again.
Jennings isn’t just a stat machine - he’s the guy who led SMU to the ACC Championship Game and helped secure an at-large berth in the College Football Playoff last year. That kind of experience matters, especially in a bowl setting where leadership and poise can be the difference in tight games.
But Arizona’s defense is built to handle quarterbacks like Jennings. The Wildcats boast the No. 4 pass defense in the country, giving up just 155.9 yards per game and only nine passing touchdowns all season.
That’s not a typo. This secondary doesn’t just slow down passing games - it shuts them down.
Anchoring that group are All-Big 12 first-teamers Dalton Johnson and Treydan Stukes, each with four interceptions on the season. They’ve been ballhawks all year, and they’ll be tested early and often against SMU’s aggressive vertical attack.
**Opt-Outs? Not Many.
Stakes? Very Real.
**
In a bowl season where opt-outs and portal departures often dominate the headlines, both programs are bucking the trend. SMU head coach Rhett Lashlee said the team hasn’t had any major opt-outs, though players who plan to transfer likely won’t suit up. Arizona head coach Brent Brennan was a bit more tight-lipped, saying SMU would find out who’s in and who’s out when the ball is kicked.
As of now, the only confirmed absences are Arizona offensive lineman Michael Wooten and SMU edge rusher DJ Warner, both entering the portal. That means we’re likely getting a mostly complete version of both teams - a rarity that should make for a more competitive and compelling bowl game.
Arizona’s Momentum and a Shot at History
The Wildcats come into this one riding a serious wave. They’ve won five straight to close the regular season, including road wins over ranked foes Cincinnati and Arizona State. One more victory would put them at 10 wins for the fifth time in program history - and the second time in just three years.
That’s not just a number. It’s a sign of a program building something sustainable.
Quarterback Noah Fifita has been a huge part of that. The sophomore threw for 2,963 yards, 26 touchdowns, and just five interceptions, adding three more scores on the ground.
He’s been cool under pressure, accurate, and efficient - everything you want from a leader under center. His All-Big 12 first-team nod speaks volumes about how far he’s come in a short time.
Head coach Brent Brennan talked about the bowl game as a kind of “extra life” for his team - a chance to extend the lifespan of a special group that’s been through the grind together. And that’s not just coach-speak.
For seniors and NFL hopefuls, this is one last ride. For underclassmen, it’s a springboard into next season.
SMU’s Bowl Drought and a Chance to Flip the Script
For SMU, this game is about more than just capping off a solid season. The Mustangs haven’t won a bowl game since the 2012 Hawaii Bowl, dropping five straight postseason appearances since then. That’s a streak they’d love to break, especially in a high-profile setting like the Holiday Bowl.
This is just SMU’s second time playing in this game - the last was way back in 1980, a loss to BYU. Arizona, meanwhile, is making its third Holiday Bowl appearance. The Wildcats beat Nebraska in 1998 but fell to the Cornhuskers again in 2009.
For both programs, this game is a chance to make a statement. For Arizona, it’s about validating a strong finish and hitting double-digit wins. For SMU, it’s about showing they can hang - and win - on a big stage.
Key Players to Watch
- Kevin Jennings, QB, SMU: The engine of the Mustangs’ offense. If he gets time, he can pick apart any defense.
But this will be one of the toughest secondaries he’s faced all year.
- Noah Fifita, QB, Arizona: Efficient, accurate, and quietly one of the best quarterbacks in the country this season. His ability to avoid turnovers could be the difference.
- Dalton Johnson & Treydan Stukes, DBs, Arizona: These two have been the backbone of the Wildcats’ elite pass defense.
If they can force Jennings into mistakes, Arizona’s chances go way up.
- Ahmaad Moses, S, SMU: The Mustangs’ defensive leader with five interceptions and 91 tackles. He’ll need a big game to slow down Fifita and the Arizona passing game.
Bottom Line
This isn’t just another bowl game. It’s a real football matchup between two teams with something to prove and most of their key pieces still in place.
SMU wants to end a decade-long bowl drought. Arizona’s chasing a 10-win season and a strong finish to a breakout year.
Strength vs. strength. Quarterback vs. secondary. Momentum vs. motivation.
Friday night in San Diego should be fun.