The Arizona Wildcats and the SMU Mustangs will face off for the Holiday Bowl in January, meeting in a bowl game for the first time since 1985.

2025 was a fairly disappointing campaign for SMU, but for Arizona, it was a welcomed improvement.

In 2024, Arizona finished 4-8 overall and 2-7 in the Big 12, including a 49-7 loss to rivals Arizona State on the final day.  Arizona didn’t get a bowl game.

As for SMU, they did well in 2024, finishing 11-1 overall and going 8-0 in the ACC, which saw them grab an ACC Championship appearance, and a guaranteed College Football Playoff spot.

Unfortunately for SMU, they lost the ACC Championship to Clemson 34-31, before losing in the first round of the CFP to Penn State 38-10.

It was two polar opposite seasons, but in 2025—a different story.

Arizona started off 4-3, including going 1-3 in the Big12, but then won five in a row including two wins over No. 25 Cincinnati and even a most coveted, revenge game against ranked rivals Arizona State, which saw them win 23-7 and secure a spot in the Arizona Bowl.

“A really physical football game.” Arizona head coach Brent Brennan said in a press conference. “A really emotional football game. Big recovery for us, but it’s a long season, and the physical brand of football we play? Our bodies are banged up.”

However, after the win, the college committee moved Arizona to No. 17 in the country, which saw the Wildcats go to the Holiday Bowl instead.

As for SMU, they started 2-2 in non-conference play, but they ended up finishing 8-4 overall and 6-2 in the ACC.

Despite the good record, a loss to California on the final day took them from the ACC Championship game to a bowl game, as Duke overtook them via strength of schedule, among other factors, despite both being 6-2 in the region.

Considering last season saw SMU go to the CFP, it could be considered a down year.

Regardless, a bowl game is nothing to sneeze at.

So how do the two teams stack up against one another?

The quarterback battle will likely be the difference, but both have put up very similar numbers.

Arizona quarterback Noah Fifita has thrown for 2,963 yards, 26 touchdowns and only five interceptions, while SMU quarterback Kevin Jennings has thrown for 3,363 yards, 26 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions.

“It’s his fourth scheme in three years,” Brennan said about Fifita. “He’s had to keep learning, but it speaks as to what a great worker he is.”

Neither team has a 1,000-yard running back, but for SMU, it’s been T.J. Harden leading the way, with 791 yards and seven touchdowns.

As for the Wildcats, Ismail Mahdi leads the way with 791 yards and four touchdowns.

Even then, while Kedrick Reescano only has 394 yards for Arizona, he has nine touchdowns, so watch for him in close yardage situations.

Both teams have depth in the wide receiver position, making this game a very tight contest, as anyone may be shut out of the game or explode into a nightmare for the other.

Both defenses have been good when it comes to the secondary, with 17 interceptions to SMU while Arizona has 19, but the sack department is where things may be decided.

“I think you look at what this team has been statistically,” Brennan said. “Considering where we were a year ago and all the new pieces they had to integrate. Second best pass defense in the country, number one in takeaways, just so much progress made there.”

The Wildcats have only gotten to the quarterback 21 times, while the Mustangs have gotten home 34 times, including defensive end Isaiah Smith, who has 8.5 sacks for SMU.

“I think our defense has been fantastic all year,” Brennan said. “I think that speaks to the quality of the coaching and the quality of the players. It’s been really fun to watch them as they’ve progressed over the season.”

It’s a close game on paper, and SMU will likely be looking to salvage the season after missing out on an ACC Championship appearance, while Arizona looks to close out a good season with a bowl win.

Either way, it’ll likely be a close game— too close to call.

Arizona and SMU will play at Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego, January 2, for the Holiday Bowl.