Arizona at SMU - 2025 Matchup Preview
Arizona logo (#18)Arizona Wildcats vs SMU MustangsSMU logo
Friday, January 2nd 2026 (8:00 PM EST)
SMU -1.0 (52.0) (125)  Open: -3.0 | 52.5
Snapdragon Stadium - San Diego, CA  (Trust & Will Holiday Bowl)

 
Wildcats (9 - 3) (8 - 4 - 0)
Coach Brent Brennan (4 - 8)
Avg Score : 33 - 19 (29 - 24 on Road)
Record Prediction: 9.3 - 3.7 (#30)
Wins: (Elite: 0) (Good: 2) (Avg: 3) (Bad: 3)
Losses: (Elite: 1) (Good: 1) (Avg: 1) (Bad: 0)
Future: (Elite: 0) (Good: 1) (Avg: 0) (Bad: 0)
Bowl Game Opt Outs
Our Line: SMU -7  (SP+ ARIZ -0.5)

Projected Score: ARIZ: 22 - SMU: 29 (52)
SMU Win prob: 48% | Cover: 46%
ARIZ Travel: 826 miles, 1 hrs behind
Mustangs (8 - 4) (5 - 7 - 0)
Coach Rhett Lashlee (29 - 12)
Avg Score : 33 - 21 (36 - 19 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 8.7 - 4.3 (#36)
Wins: (Elite: 1) (Good: 2) (Avg: 0) (Bad: 4)
Losses: (Elite: 0) (Good: 1) (Avg: 2) (Bad: 1)
Future: (Elite: 0) (Good: 1) (Avg: 0) (Bad: 0)
 
Arizona's 2025 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 8/30 Arizona vs Hawai'i-13.555.5W 40 - 6UY
Sat 9/6 Arizona vs Weber State-31.556.5W 48 - 3UY
Fri 9/12 Arizona vs Kansas State+1.555.5W 23 - 17UY
BYE WEEK
Sat 9/27 Arizona at Iowa State+4.048.5L 14 - 39ON
Sat 10/4 Arizona vs Oklahoma State-21.556.5W 41 - 13UY
Sat 10/11 Arizona vs BYU+2.546.5L 27 - 33ON
Sat 10/18 Arizona at Houston-1.547.5L 28 - 31ON
BYE WEEK
Sat 11/1 Arizona at Colorado-4.052.5W 52 - 17OY
Sat 11/8 Arizona vs Kansas-5.556.5W 24 - 20UN
Sat 11/15 Arizona at Cincinnati+6.556.5W 30 - 24UY
Sat 11/22 Arizona vs Baylor-6.561.5W 41 - 17UY
Fri 11/28 Arizona at Arizona State-2.048.5W 23 - 7UY
Fri 1/2 Arizona vs SMU+1.052.0

Total: Elite: 1, Good: 4, Avg 4, Bad 1, Poor 2
Played: Elite: 1, Good: 3, Avg 4, Bad 1, Poor 2
Future: Elite: 0, Good: 1, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 0
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 2, Avg: 3, Bad: 1, Poor: 2
Losses: Elite: 1, Good: 1, Avg: 1, Bad: 0, Poor: 0

Predictions for Arizona's Schedule
SMU's 2025 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 8/30 SMU vs East Texas A&M-51.065.0W 42 - 13UN
Sat 9/6 SMU vs Baylor-3.065.5L 45 - 48ON
Sat 9/13 SMU at Missouri State-29.560.5W 28 - 10UN
Sat 9/20 SMU at TCU+6.563.5L 24 - 35UN
BYE WEEK
Sat 10/4 SMU vs Syracuse-17.556.5W 31 - 18UN
Sat 10/11 SMU vs Stanford-19.555.5W 34 - 10UY
Sat 10/18 SMU at Clemson+3.549.5W 35 - 24OY
Sat 10/25 SMU at Wake Forest-6.553.5L 12 - 13UN
Sat 11/1 SMU vs Miami+8.550.5W 26 - 20UY
Sat 11/8 SMU at Boston College-10.554.5W 45 - 13OY
BYE WEEK
Sat 11/22 SMU vs Louisville-4.049.5W 38 - 6UY
Sat 11/29 SMU at California-13.553.5L 35 - 38ON
Fri 1/2 SMU vs Arizona-1.052.0

Total: Elite: 1, Good: 4, Avg 2, Bad 2, Poor 3
Played: Elite: 1, Good: 3, Avg 2, Bad 2, Poor 3
Future: Elite: 0, Good: 1, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 0
Wins: Elite: 1, Good: 2, Avg: 0, Bad: 1, Poor: 3
Losses: Elite: 0, Good: 1, Avg: 2, Bad: 1, Poor: 0

Predictions for SMU's Schedule
Important Stats (2025)
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
ARIZ#49 (.2)43% (63)32.642% (92)3.05 (49)15143% (51)2543.57 (81)#34 (.09)38% (26)18.945% (96)33% (6)3.38 (46)51.612.3
SMU#32 (.23)42% (69)32.941% (93)2.91 (73)13644% (46)2843.93 (49)#6 (.02)40% (50)20.737% (11)44% (96)2.69 (10)731.32.3
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
ARIZ#93 (.15)39% (117)37% (126)2.64 (123)10740% (91)2483.53 (101)#109 (.24)45% (100)45% (90)44% (109)4.55 (125)57.61.71.2
SMU#38 (.24)44% (53)44% (62)2.97 (83)16944% (45)2634.41 (25)#5 (.03)37% (9)39% (35)35% (10)3.09 (13)77.71.71.6



Overall Stats 2025
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
ARIZ Offense1232.629.442.5%3.571224051512544.346%54%42%43%15%.2
SMU Defense1220.719.239.9%2.692.3 - - - - - 43%55%37%44%19%.02
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
ARIZ Defense1218.923.638.2%3.382.3 - - - - - 52%46%45%33%21%.09
SMU Offense1232.93642.2%3.931.3214191362844.442%56%41%44%17%.23

Additional Stats 2025
 Teams                  GamesPossession Time1st Downs PG3rd Down %4th Down %Penalties PGPenalty Yds PGOff TO PGDef TO PGTFL PGSacks PGD/ST TDsAvg Field Pos
Arizona1230:452240%67%5.651.612.36.51.8234.2
SMU1226:5320.942%64%7.1731.32.36.42.9327.7
Run Game Stats (2025)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
ARIZ Offense1246% (100)42% (92)35.3150.84.320 (88).13 (61)3.05 (49)76% (46)9% (64)1.05 (34)
SMU Defense1243% (9)37% (11) - - - - -.11 (2)2.68 (26)59% (7)11% (35)0.76 (1)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
ARIZ Defense1252% (92)45% (96) - - - - .11 (73)2.85 (61)72% (75)11% (20)0.92 (45)
SMU Offense1242% (123)41% (93)30.7135.64.422 (70).11 (72)2.91 (73)80% (20)10% (86)1.03 (48)

Pass Game Stats (2025)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
ARIZ Offense1254% (29)43% (51)21.133.7254.47.612.126 (14)7 (88).26 (63)1.5 (90)31% (64)31% (67).41 (30)6% (59)2.1 (40)
SMU Defense1255% (130)44% (96) - - - - - - 17 (6).2 (50)1.5 (30)32% (66)33% (110).3 (69)9% (8)1.9 (48)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
ARIZ Defense1246% (35)33% (6) - - - - - - 19 (12).14 (27)1.6 (107)33% (42)24% (13).18 (25)9% (2)2.1 (89)
SMU Offense1256% (14)44% (46)23.735.7283.581226 (14)10 (108).39 (24)1.6 (35)32% (82)31% (57).36 (46)7% (103)2.1 (56)

Arizona's Power Ratings
Arizona's Power Rating: 4.09  #55
Arizona's Offense Rating: 10.86  #58
Arizona's Defense Rating: 6.77  #57
2025 Talent Rating: 704.00  #73
Blue Chip Ratio: 3%  #65
Arizona's 2025 Expected Record: 9.3 - 3.7
Arizona's 2025 Overall SP+ Rating: 13.9  #25
Arizona's Offense SP+ Rating: 34.1  #26
Arizona's Defense SP+ Rating: 19.6  #24

Average Talent
Average Big 12 Talent Rating is 798.25
Average Power Five Talent: 877.82
Average FBS Talent: 715.76

Power Ratings Matchup
Arizona: 4.09   SMU: 15.905

SP+ Ratings Matchup
Arizona: 13.9   SMU: 13.4




SMU's Power Ratings
SMU's Power Rating: 15.905  #22
SMU's Offense Rating: 15.63  #38
SMU's Defense Rating: -2.78  #23
2025 Talent Rating: 756.00  #64
Blue Chip Ratio: 9  #42
SMU's 2025 Expected Record: 8.7 - 4.3
SMU's 2025 Overall SP+ Rating: 13.4  #27
SMU's Offense SP+ Rating: 34.8  #24
SMU's Defense SP+ Rating: 20.9  #32

Average Talent
Average ACC Talent Rating is 852.82
Average Power Five Talent: 877.82
Average FBS Talent: 715.76


Arizona Scoring
Offense: 32.6 PPG
Offense on Road: 29.4
Defense: 18.9 PPG
Defense on Road: 23.6

Arizona's 2025 Record
Record: 9 - 3
Record vs Spread: 8 - 4 - 0
Over/Under Record: 4 - 8
Record on Road: 3 - 2
Record vs Spread on Road: 3 - 2 - 0
Record as Dog vs Spread: 2 - 2 - 0
Record as Road Dog vs Spread: 1 - 1 - 0
Projected Score
SMU 29
Arizona 22


Total Points: 52

Based on Last 4 Games
SMU 25
Arizona 22

Total Points: 47

Based on Entire Season
SMU 28
Arizona 26

Total Points: 54
SMU Scoring
Offense: 32.9 PPG
Offense at Home: 36
Defense: 20.7 PPG
Defense at Home: 19.2

SMU's 2025 Record
Record: 8 - 4
Record vs Spread: 5 - 7 - 0
Over/Under Record: 4 - 8
Record at home: 5 - 1
Record vs Spread at home: 3 - 3 - 0
Record as Fav vs Spread: 3 - 6 - 0
Record as Home Fav vs Spread: 2 - 3 - 0


YearDateHomeScoreAwayScoreSpreadCoverTotalO/U
TeamWinsCoversO/U
SMU000 Overs
Arizona000 Unders

WinsCoversFavsDogs
Home Teams0 - 00 - 00 - 00 - 0
Road Teams0 - 00 - 00 - 00 - 0

Arizona Recent Bowl History
DateBowlMatchupSpreadTotalResult
2023Alamo Bowl Arizona vs Oklahoma-2.559.5W 38 - 24
SMU Recent Bowl History
DateBowlMatchupSpreadTotalResult
2024CFP 1st Round SMU vs Penn State+9.052.5L 10 - 38
2023Fenway Bowl SMU vs Boston College-13.549.0L 14 - 23
2022Mexico Bowl SMU vs BYU-4.565.0L 23 - 24
2019Raton Bowl SMU vs Florida Atlantic-7.564.0L 28 - 52
  
(#55) ARIZ at (#22) SMU
Overall StatsOvr
CategoryCatARIZSMU
Power RatePwr #55 #22
SP+SP+ #25 #27
Perf GradeGrade #37 #23
OffenseOff #59 #39
DefenseDef #18 #23
Spec TeamsST #95 #51
TalentTal #73 #64
Blue ChipsBC% #65 #42
Arizona Notes
(11/29) 5-0 run to finish 9-3. Incredible season by Brennan
(11/23) Brennan was almost fired last year. Now 8-3 & rolling
(11/22) Killed Baylor for 4 straight wins. Great season
(10/18) 2 straight hard L's vs BYU/Hou. Def awful in B12 play
(9/26) Off based on Expl or bust, Success #'s bad
(9/26) Def #'s incredible, but haven't faced good Off yet
(9/13) Def great, Run Off mauled K St. Huge W
(9/13) Fifita looks reborn, balling out, good decisions
(7/30) WR Hunter back, 4 portals. Better talent/depth
(5/11) 64% of OL exp comes from portal adds
(3/22) Added 16 players that started LY via portal
(3/22) RB adds Mahdi (Tx St), 3 total portals
Arizona Injury Report
SMU Notes
(10/31) Lashlee extended, will remain at SMU
(10/23) SMU has won 20 straight conference games (Wk 9)
(10/19) Big W @ Clemson, Run Def great, Jennings good
(10/19) SMU has not lost a reg season ACC game, 11-0
(9/20) Run Off bad, Jennings TOs & Def are major issues
(9/20) Def allowing 41.5 pts vs real competition, woof
(7/27) S Isaiah Nwokobia & Ahmaad Moses great duo
(6/14) Same HC, OC, DC, S&C coaches for 4 years
(5/28) OT PJ Williams a future star, 900+ snaps of A ball
(5/28) Def good LY, must replace a lot, 13 portal adds
(5/20) DL added 10 portals (7 from P4), both DEs back
(5/20) LB replaces most, 2 productive G5 portal adds
SMU Injury Report
Arizona on Offense
Pass heavy Offense 54%, Run: 46%
CategoryCat
ARIZ OffSMU Def
Perf GradePerf #59 #23
SuccessSuc #63 #50
ExplosiveExp #40 #23
PPAPPA #49 #6
PowerPwr #58 #23
SP+SP+ #26 #32
Pts POPPO #81 #10
HavocHav #59 #11
Arizona Run Game
Pass heavy Offense 54%, Run: 46%
CategoryCat
ARIZ OffSMU Def
Run GameRun #76 #3
Run SuccessRSuc #92 #11
Run ExplRExp #34 #1
PPAExp #61 #2
Run BlockR Blk #63 -
OL YdsOLY #49 #26
Stuff RateStuff #70 #23
TackleTak -  #3
Arizona Pass Game
Pass heavy Offense 54%, Run: 46%
CategoryCat
ARIZ OffSMU Def
Pass GamePass #31 #38
Pass SuccessPSuc #51 #96
Pass ExplPExl #90 #30
PPAExp #63 #50
Pass Rush/BlockP Blk #42 #45
F7 HavocF7 #64 #35
DB HavocDB #59 #8
SMU on Offense
Pass heavy Offense 56%, Run: 42%
CategoryCatSMU OffARIZ Def
Perf GradePerf #39 #18
SuccessSuc #69 #26
ExplosiveExp #10 #42
PPAPPA #32 #34
PowerPwr #38 #57
SP+SP+ #24 #24
Pts POPPO #49 #46
HavocHav #101 #5
SMU Run Game
Pass heavy Offense 56%, Run: 42%
CategoryCat
SMU OffARIZ Def
Run GameRun #95 #43
Run SuccessRSuc #93 #96
Run ExplRExp #48 #45
PPAExp #72 #73
Run BlockR Blk #41 -
OL YdsOLY #73 #61
Stuff RateStuff #102 #72
TackleTak -  #45
SMU Pass Game
Pass heavy Offense 56%, Run: 42%
CategoryCatSMU OffARIZ Def
Pass GamePass #26 #3
Pass SuccessPSuc #46 #6
Pass ExplPExl #35 #107
PPAExp #24 #27
Pass Block/RushP Blk #5 #122
F7 HavocF7 #86 #20
DB HavocDB #103 #2
Program Comparison
SMU 5 Year Profile: Consistent Average P4
'25 Profile: Remains Average P4

ARIZ 5 Year Profile: Improving Below Avg P4
'25 Profile: Up to Top 25 Contenders

Weather Forecast
Playing in Snapdragon Stadium
Conditions: Cloudy
Temp: 65°
No Matchups Past 4 Years
  
ARIZ's OC Seth Doege (in his first season)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Noah Fifita24738664%29632657.7
Braedyn Locke (Tr)51533%68014.5
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Ismail Mahdi (Tr)12278546.468
Kedrick Reescano8339494.750
Quincy Craig (Tr)5533526.154
Noah Fifita10214931.519
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Kris Hutson (Tr)57740413.040
Javin Whatley (Tr)38443411.785
Tre Spivey (Tr)21359617.170
Chris Hunter25351214.035

View Arizona's Full Roster

ARIZ's DC Danny Gonzales (in his first season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Dalton Johnson972107
Taye Brown849231
Genesis Smith773018
Max Harris (Tr)754051
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Chase Kennedy398460
Riley Wilson (Tr)497344
Deshawn McKnight (Tr)2611220
Taye Brown849231
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Genesis Smith773018
Ayden Garnes (Tr)341028
Michael Dansby (Tr)171008

SMU's OC Casey Woods (been OC for 3 years)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Kevin Jennings27942266%336326108.0
Charlie Fiser44100%30007.5
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
TJ Harden (Tr)16174774.653
Chris Johnson Jr. (Tr)6246347.587
Derrick McFall3218345.748
Ashaad Clayton108328.350
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Jordan Hudson56749613.470
Romello Brinson43638314.875
Yamir Knight (Tr)47533511.361
Matthew Hibner29351412.137

View SMU's Full Roster

SMU's DC Scott Symons (been DC for 3 years)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Ahmaad Moses916102
Isaiah Nwokobia802007
Brandon Booker623142
Alex Kilgore574002
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Isaiah Smith5117931
Terry Webb (Tr)447614
Jeffrey M'Ba (Tr)428600
Cam Robertson4910543
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Brandon Miyazono404207
Isaiah Nwokobia802007
Deuce Harmon330017