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Arizona Faces SMU in Holiday Bowl With 10-Win Milestone in Reach

Near-full rosters set up a top-pass-offense versus top-pass-defense test in San Diego on Friday.

Overview

  • No. 17 Arizona enters 9-3 seeking its fifth 10-win season, facing 8-4 SMU on Friday at Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego.
  • SMU ranks No. 11 in passing at 283.5 yards per game behind Kevin Jennings (3,363 yards, 26 TDs), up against Arizona’s No. 4 pass defense allowing 155.9 yards and nine passing TDs.
  • Arizona has held eight straight opponents under 200 passing yards, a run cited as the longest in FBS since 2004.
  • Both teams expect near-full availability, with only two publicly reported opt-outs: Arizona OL Michael Wooten and SMU edge rusher DJ Warner.
  • Arizona brings a five-game win streak and quarterback Noah Fifita’s 2,963 yards and 26 TDs, while SMU seeks its first bowl victory since 2012 as Jennings confirms he will return in 2026.