...
...
Read Article
Arizona vs. SMU prediction: Southern Methodist favored to win Holiday Bowl [2026]
Updated: | First published:
Written by Mac Douglass, Senior Editor
Get Arizona vs SMU predictions for college football Friday.
Southern Methodist and Arizona will meet in the 2026 Holiday Bowl at Snapdragon Stadium on Friday, beginning at 8:00 PM ET.
Based on updated simulations, Dimers' proven college football model projects Southern Methodist as the most likely winner of the Arizona vs. SMU game.
This article offers an expanded analysis of Friday's matchup, including an expanded look at the predicted score, best bets and picks.
Holiday Bowl prediction: Who will win and cover?
Using innovative machine learning and statistical analysis, we have simulated the result of the 2026 Holiday Bowl 10,000 times as part of our college football predictions coverage.
Our leading predictive model currently gives Southern Methodist a 55% chance of defeating Arizona. Our predicted final score has Southern Methodist winning 27-25.
According to our model, the bookmakers have got it right, and Arizona and Southern Methodist each have a 50% chance of covering the spread, while the over/under total of 55.5 points has a 57% chance of going over.
Holiday Bowl odds
We have researched the best college football odds in America for this game, which are listed here:
| Bet Type | Arizona | SMU |
|---|---|---|
| Spread | +2.5 (-105) | -2.5 (-114) |
| Moneyline | +120 | -134 |
| Total | o55.5 (-102) | u55.5 (-115) |
All odds are correct at the time of publication and are subject to change.
Arizona vs. SMU picks and best bet
After matching our predictions against the best current odds, we can reveal our picks for each of the major markets. Plus, find our best bet for the game below:
| Bet Type | Pick | Bet Now |
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Arizona +2.5 | -105 |
| Moneyline | Arizona | +120 |
| Total | Over 55.5 | -102 |
According to our college football best bets, the top play to make on this game is Over 55.5 total points.
Arizona vs. SMU game-day updates and essential details
Friday's college football action between SMU and Arizona at Snapdragon Stadium is scheduled to commence at 8:00 PM ET.
- Who: Arizona vs. Southern Methodist
- Date: Friday, January 2, 2026
- Time: 8:00 PM ET/5:00PM PT
- Venue: Snapdragon Stadium
Conclusion
We predict Southern Methodist, with a 55% win probability, will likely beat Arizona on Friday.
AI and automation have enhanced this article to quickly deliver accurate Arizona vs. Southern Methodist insights, with human oversight ensuring high editorial quality. Our predictions are drawn from the latest data to help you make informed decisions. For additional resources and advice on responsible gambling, please call 1-800-GAMBLER.
Note: Clicking links to our partners may earn us a referral fee. Learn about how we review products and services.
Mac Douglass specializes in NFL previews for the NFC South and NFC East, MLB best bets, Formula 1 race previews, and professional tennis insights. Combining predictive simulations and data-driven sports analysis, Mac provides in-depth content to elevate the betting experience for sports fans.
Advertiser disclosure