Arizona vs. SMU: Time, Date, TV Channel, 2025 Holiday Bowl Preview
It’s bowl season, which means we have a lot of football to watch between Dec. 13 and Jan. 19! Ohio State, Utah, Georgia Southern, Army, Texas A&M — and just about everyone in between — will take part in a total of 47 games that will ultimately conclude with the 2026 CFP National Championship.
NESN has you covered with previews for each and every game — with our next contest bringing us out west:
2026 Trust & Will Holiday Bowl
Matchup: Arizona Wildcats vs. SMU Mustangs
Date: Friday, Jan. 2, 2026
Kickoff: 8 p.m. ET
Stadium: Snapdragon Stadium — San Diego, Calif.
TV: FOX
Game Overview
The Holiday Bowl typically has lots of points scored, with there being more than 50 total points scored every year since 2016.
Steve Young (1983), Barry Sanders (1988), Terrell Suggs (2002) and Marshawn Lynch (2006) are just a few of the notable names who have taken home the game’s MVP.
The Wildcats and Mustangs will look to add someone to that list on Friday.
Team Overviews
Arizona Wildcats
Conference: Big 12
Head Coach: Brent Brennan
Record: 9–3
Arizona has improved leaps and bounds during their two seasons under Brent Brennan, finishing 4-8 in 2024 and jumping to 9-3 in 2025.
The Wildcats took home five consecutive wins to close the season, defeating Colorado, Kansas, Cincinnati, Baylor and Arizona State.
SMU Mustangs
Conference: ACC
Head Coach: Rhett Lashlee
Record: 8-4
SMU took a step back following its playoff appearance in 2024, dropping conference games to California and Wake Forest.
The Mustangs still put plenty of points on the board, however, averaging 32.9 points per game (24th of 136) while only giving up 20.7 points per game (35th of 136).
Players to Watch
Arizona
QB Noah Fifita
RB Ismail Mahdi
WR Kris Hutson
WR Tre Spivey
LB Chase Kennedy
DB Dalton Johnson
DB Treydan Stukes
DB Jay’Vion Cole
SMU
QB Kevin Jennings
RB TJ Harden
WR Jordan Hudson
WR Romello Brinson
DL Isaiah Smith
DL Terry Webb
DL Cam Robertson
DB Ahmaad Moses
Key Notes
Arizona is making its third appearance in the Holiday Bowl.
SMU is making its second appearance in the Holiday Bowl.
Betting Lines
DraftKings Sportsbook: Arizona -1.5 | O/U 52.5
FanDuel Sportsbook: Arizona -2.5 | O/U 52.5
BetMGM Sportsbook: Arizona -1.5 | O/U 52.5
The Pick: SMU ML