Arizona Wildcats vs SMU Mustangs Picks and Predictions for Friday, January 2, 2026
Arizona plays SMU in the Trust & Will Holiday Bowl on Friday. Arizona finished the regular season 9-3 overall, ending the year with a five-game winning streak after a 23-7 road win over Arizona State. SMU finished the regular season 8-4 overall and 6-2 in American Athletic Conference play, with its most recent game a 38-35 road loss at California on November 29. Look to wrap up bowl season action with our free college football picks.
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Arizona vs SMU Game Information
- Date: Friday, January 2
- Time: 8:00 PM ET
- Location: Snapdragon Stadium, San Diego, CA
- TV: FOX
Arizona Wildcats Preview
Arizona’s offense is led by quarterback Noah Fifita, who threw for 2,963 passing yards with 26 touchdowns and five interceptions this season. Fifita also added value as a runner, while the ground game is led by Ismail Mahdi with 791 rushing yards and four touchdowns. In the passing game, Kris Hutson is the leading receiver with 57 catches for 740 yards and four touchdowns, giving Arizona a reliable option on the outside.
Defensively, Arizona is anchored by Dalton Johnson, the team’s leading tackler with 97 total tackles and four interceptions. Linebacker Chase Kennedy leads the Wildcats with four sacks, while Arizona’s defense limited opponents to 24 points or fewer in four of its final five games. 
SMU Mustangs Preview
SMU’s offense is led by quarterback Kevin Jennings, who finished the season with 3,363 passing yards, 26 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions. The rushing attack is led by T.J. Harden, who totaled 747 rushing yards and seven touchdowns. Wide receiver Jordan Hudson is the top target in the passing game with 56 receptions for 749 yards and six touchdowns.
On defense, safety Ahmaad Moses leads the Mustangs with 91 total tackles and five interceptions. Defensive end Isaiah Smith is the top pass rusher with 8.5 sacks, while SMU allowed 35 or more points in two of its final three games.
| # | Handicapper | Profit |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Joe Duffy | +1,910.00 |
| 2 |  Steve Seagrave | +1,460.00 |
| 3 |  Sean Higgs | +1,338.00 |
| 4 |  Bryan Power | +905.00 |
| 5 |  Ben Burns | +519.00 |
Arizona vs SMU Prediction
Arizona enters the Holiday Bowl with strong momentum and a defense that has tightened late in the season, while SMU relies heavily on its passing game to keep pace. Arizona’s ability to limit big plays and control field position provides a clear edge in what will be a competitive matchup. Final Score Prediction: Arizona Wildcats win and cover ATS, 31-24. The best sportsbooks are the best way to go when you are betting on SMU. Make sure you know about how the fans are looking on prediction markets for Arizona with the Onyx Odds promo code. Getting the most out of your bets on SMU vs Arizona can be done by using the Fanatics Sportsbook promo code.
Best Picks
- Arizona Wildcats -3
- Over 51.5
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