Arizona Wildcats vs SMU Mustangs Prediction, 1/2/2025 College Football Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Arizona Wildcats vs SMU Mustangs

Date: Friday, January 2, 2026

Location: Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego, CA

TV: FOX

Odds/Point Spread: Mustangs (+3.0)

Total/Over-Under: 52

The Arizona Wildcats (9-3) are hitting the road to Snapdragon Stadium on Friday, January 2, 2026 where they will play the SMU Mustangs (8-4) in the Trust & Will Holiday Bowl. Arizona opens this game as 3.0-point favorites. The over/under is set at 52.

The Arizona Wildcats head into this game 9-3 for this season. In their last matchup, the Wildcats faced off with the Arizona State Sun Devils and walked away with a win by a score of 23-7. In the running game, the Wildcats gave up 100 yds on 27 tries, which is an average of 3.7 yards per run allowed. Arizona conceded 11 completions on 25 attempts for a total of 114 yds, and a completion percentage of 44.0%. Overall, they had 89 plays which gave them a total of 374 yds. The Arizona Wildcats ended up running the ball 44 different times and tallied 88 yards, which is an average of 2.0 yds per attempt.

Concerning scoring points, the Arizona Wildcats are averaging 32.6 points per contest. As a team they have an average of 150.4 yards via the ground game which ranks them 77th in the country. The Wildcats have tallied 4,858 total yards for the year. When it comes to getting in the endzone, Arizona has compiled 26 touchdowns via the pass and 20 rushing touchdowns. Arizona has accumulated 263 1st downs as a team, and they have been hurt by 67 infractions for 619 yards. They have surrendered the football 12 different times.

The Wildcats sit in 20th in college football when it comes to team defense, allowing 18.9 points per game. Opposing teams are running for an average of 4.0 yards per rushing attempt and 145.7 rushing yards per contest for the campaign. Over the course of this year, they have given up 1,748 rushing yards through 12 outings. When it comes to passing yardage, the Wildcats are conceding 1,871 yds which puts them in 3rd in the country. They are allowing 155.9 yards per outing through the air in addition to conceding a completion percentage of 53.1%. During this campaign, they are giving up 301.6 yards per outing which ranks them 16th in college football. They have yielded 10 touchdowns via the pass in addition to 16 touchdowns pounding the rock.

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The Mustangs come into this matchup with a record of 8-4 for this season. When they last played, the Mustangs walked away with a loss by a score of 38-35 when they faced the California Golden Bears. SMU allowed 37 run attempts for 122 yds (3.3 yards per carry). The Mustangs pass defense gave up a completion percentage of 77.5%, surrendering 330 yards on 31 out of 40 through the air. The Mustangs finished the game with 477 yards while running 67 plays (7.1 yds per play). SMU rushed for 7.3 yards per carry, finishing with a total of 227 yards on 31 attempts.

The SMU Mustangs hold an average of 419.0 yards per contest, which ranks them 33rd in the nation. The SMU offense has compiled 876 yds of penalties on 85 infractions, which ranks 33rd in the nation in terms of helping out the other team. They maintain an average of 135.5 rushing yards per game and have rushed for 1,626 yards overall. They have thrown 10 interceptions while allowing opponents to recover 6 fumbles and they have tallied 251 1st downs. In terms of the points being put on the board, the Mustangs are sitting 26th in Division 1 by tallying 32.9 points per contest. For the season so far, the Mustangs have a total of 3,402 yards through the air in addition to holding an average of 283.5 throwing yards per game, which has them ranked 12th in D-1.

The Mustangs are relinquishing 20.7 PPG, which puts them 32nd in college football. SMU has allowed a total of 1,271 yards rushing (105.9 yards per contest) in addition to 5 touchdowns on the ground this season. They have conceded 23 touchdowns through the air and 284.7 yards/contest, which has them sitting 135th in the country. The Mustangs defense has taken the field for 899 plays, which ranks them 128th in the nation. Their defense has totaled 10 fumbles recovered and 17 interceptions so far this season. Overall, they have relinquished 248 points in total.

Who will win tonight's Wildcats/Mustangs college football game against the spread?

Guy's Pick: Take the Mustangs +3.0

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