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Arizona Vs SMU 🏈 Game Preview/Discussion Thread 12/2/25 6pm FOX
The No. 17 Arizona Wildcats (9–3) will face the SMU Mustangs (8–4) in the Holiday Bowl on January 2 at Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego, with kickoff set for 6 p.m. MST. Arizona enters the postseason riding a five-game winning streak and looking to secure its 10th win, a feat the program has achieved only four times in school history. The Wildcats are making their 23rd bowl appearance, owning an all-time postseason record of 10-11-1. Under second-year head coach Brent Brennan, Arizona has exceeded expectations in its first year competing in the Big 12, finishing near the top of the conference standings.
Arizona's success has been driven by quarterback Noah Fifita, who threw for 2,963 yards, 26 touchdowns, and only five interceptions during the regular season. Fifita also became the school's all-time leader in career touchdown passes. Wide receiver Kris Hutson led the team with 57 receptions for 740 yards, while running back Ismail Mahdi added 785 rushing yards to balance the offense. Defensively, Arizona has been one of the nation's most disruptive units, forcing 28 turnovers, tied for third nationally, and holding eight consecutive opponents under 200 passing yards, the longest active streak in the FBS.
SMU arrives in San Diego powered by an explosive passing attack led by quarterback Kevin Jennings, who passed for 3,363 yards and 26 touchdowns, helping the Mustangs average over 32 points per game. SMU's defense has thrived on takeaways, ranking fourth nationally in turnovers gained, but has shown vulnerability against efficient passing offenses. The Holiday Bowl represents a major opportunity for the Mustangs, who are seeking their first bowl victory since 2012. With Arizona's disciplined defense matching up against SMU's high-octane offense, the matchup sets up as one of the most intriguing bowl games of the holiday slate.
Let talk about the Wildcats Vs Mustangs.
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You always take that FG at the end of the 3rd. This woulda been a 25-24 win had Brennan did the right thing.
The amount of chances we had is embarrassing. Noah didn't even commit to staying for next season. Disrespectful QB. Time for a change.
Not going for 3 was too aggressive. It would have been 24-24 with the two PAT's but regardless, the offense was miserable.
2nd half defense was a bright spot, considering the fact that we didn't have any of our top tier talent in the secondary.
Completely ugly but it wasn't a game that mattered. Fifita has stood by Arizona throughout his career and his family is continuing the tradition next season. Noah isn't an NFL pick this Spring so there's a good chance that both brothers play together for one season. No real fan should deny them of that opportunity, especially considering the turmoil that he endured (coaching changes, player transfers, O-line struggles, offensive injuries, etc).
Nobody expected 9 wins and an assu blowout. This was a successful season. Hopefully the momentum continues and the Cats resemble 2025, instead of 2024.
Quote from: arxpert on January 02, 2026, 09:28:01 PMDisrespectful QB. Time for a change.
WHAT!? This dude has been a class act.
I don't even know what else to say.
You'll have to revisit this one in the morning.
Quote from: KansasCityCats on January 02, 2026, 09:55:42 PMNot going for 3 was too aggressive. It would have been 24-24 with the two PAT's but regardless, the offense was miserable.
I obviously agree overall about Fifita, but the "unofficial" non-announcement made it unpalatable for me. I actually do think the OL cooked him early on purpose. I am sure they "knew" he was coming back, but without "SAYING" it, there is a pride factor that gets involved.
As for the game itself, the Defense played well. 24pts is low. I had thought it would be a low scoring affair due to a long layoff. Either way, the Defense showcased why it was good all season (takeaways). SMU should have won the game 56-10, but ended up only winning due to Brennan being a bad decision maker 6 times over.
Quote from: |ᴘ|ʀ|ʏ|ᴍ|ᴇ| on January 03, 2026, 02:35:40 AMWHAT!? This dude has been a class act.
I don't even know what else to say.
You'll have to revisit this one in the morning.
I am ready for a 6'5" 230lb QB who can push a pile when needed, but otherwise stand tall in the pocket and not have to operate a gimmick offense like Air Raid.
Rios needs to bulk up but he has decent size.
The defense was depleted last night so the second half performance was a nice surprise after the team was left for dead.
Quote from: KansasCityCats on January 03, 2026, 03:16:21 PMRios needs to bulk up but he has decent size.
The defense was depleted last night so the second half performance was a nice surprise after the team was left for dead.
I think that the 6'4" 230 type archetype that has SOME wheels to push a pile or scramble is the new thing to search for in Football.
Ironically, if you check Fernando Mendoza's running, it is putrid. Last year i think he had around 100 yards on 87 rushes or something. 1 was a 50 yard gain. Something crazy like that.
This year somewhere around 70 rushes for 250 yards or so.
It isn't about being able to run for 800-1200 rush yards as a QB, it is about the threat to extend drives with your legs when needed and being Coachable.
Noah may be coachable to an extent, but I am just tired of Gimmick Offenses. I am ready for someone to actually take this team to new heights given the Portal Era and the opportunity to succeed via making the CFP, it is time to begin thinking about life after Noah regardless of his return and how we want it to look.