Arizona and SMU are heading to the Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego, California for the annual Holiday Bowl. Both teams had a decent season, with the SMU Mustangs having an 8-4 record, while the Arizona Wildcats are the No. 17-ranked team in the nation but failed to make it to the CFP.
Both teams came into the 2025 season with a lot of hype but still failed to make it to the College Football Playoff, but they do have one final chance to prove themselves this year with a win at the Holiday Bowl.
That being said, they are still expected to miss some players during this game, with some being injured and others opting out due to entering the transfer portal, declaring for the NFL draft or other reasons. However, both teams are not expected to have a lot of players missing.
Holiday Bowl: Arizona vs. SMU Opt-Outs And Injury Report
Arizona Wildcats
- G Michael Wooten: Opted out, entered transfer portal
- TE Keyan Burnett: Opted out, entered transfer portal
- RT Tristan Bounds: Injured, questionable
- NT Tiaoalii Savea: Injured, questionable
Only two players have announced that they are opting out due to having entered the transfer portal, with only two players possibly missing the Holiday Bowl due to injury. This is looking good for the Wildcats, especially as they are seeking some redemption after missing out on the CFP.
Head coach Brett Brennan has stated that there could be more opt-outs, such as CB Treydan Stukes and S Genesis Smith, but he would not be announcing them as this would be a personal decision for players. He also added that he does not want SMU to know who else is sitting aside from the injured ones or the ones who have entered the transfer portal.
SMU Mustangs
- OLB DJ Warner: Opted out, entered transfer portal
It seems that SMU is also keeping its cards close ahead of the Holiday Bowl, as they do not have any injuries of not and they only have one person officially opting out due to having entered the transfer portal.
QB Kevin Jennings is a potential person opting out, but it has now been revealed that he will indeed play for SMU. Others, such as WR Romello Brinson, TE RJ Maryland, TE Matthew Hibner, OG Logan Parr, DL Jeff M’ba, and S Isaiah Nwokobia are potentially opting out.
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