Both teams can score, with SMU ranking 24th and Arizona 26th in FBS scoring. The defense are decent, but prolific QBs Kevin Jennings (SMU) and Noah Fifita (Zona), each of whom tossed 26 TD passes, are on hand to slice and dice them. Plus, neither side is affected by transfers or opt-outs. Given all that, the total came up surprisingly small, with a traditional points-filled bowl appearing likely.

On the plus side, both of these star QBs (Arizona's Noah Fifta & SMU's Kevin Jennings) will play at the Holiday Bowl. As the campaign progressed, however, we began looking harder at the Cats, who started to resemble their 2023 entry under Jedd Fisch that had turned into a juggernaut at the end of the season and beat Oklahoma in Alamo Bowl...with Fifita at QB. Fifita (26 TD passes, just 5 picks in 2025) was doing many of the same things this season as Brent Brennan got his regime back on course after a difficult 2024. Meanwhile, we wonder about the Ponies' focus after blowing their chance at an ACC title game berth in the season-ending loss at Cal. Play Arizona (Holiday Bowl)

I’ll be attending my second Holiday Bowl on Friday to watch my alma mater go for its second 10-win season in the last three years. It was a magical 5-0 run for my Wildcats in November, fueled by a defense that forced 28 turnovers this season (currently T3 in the nation). SMU was a late-November win away from playing in the ACC Championship Game before losing 38-35 at Cal. Does this team really want to be here when the Mustangs arguably could’ve been in the CFP for the second straight season? The motivation and fan support should be all Wildcats.