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2025-26 Bowl Season Set: Key Matchups and Predictions

1/2/2026

38 7 Full Breakdown

Summary

Bowl Season Highlights

The 2025-26 college football bowl season concludes January 2, 2026, featuring Texas State vs. Rice, Navy vs. Cincinnati, Arizona vs. SMU, Mississippi State vs. Wake Forest.
Mississippi State is favored to cover against Wake Forest despite a 5-7 record.
The College Football Playoff semifinals are set for January 8–9, 2026, with Miami vs. Ole Miss and Oregon vs. Indiana.
SportsLine's model predicts outcomes for all games and notes betting strategies.

Summary

Arizona Wildcats Favorable

Arizona Wildcats are favored by 3 points with a moneyline of -150 against the SMU Mustangs in the Trust & Will Holiday Bowl on January 2, 2026 at Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego.
Kickoff is at 6 p.m. MST.
The game will be broadcast on FOX.
Arizona seeks its second 10-win season in three years, while SMU seeks redemption after a disappointing season.
The over/under is 51.5 points.

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Bowl Season Highlights

The 2025-26 college football bowl season concludes January 2, 2026, featuring Texas State vs. Rice, Navy vs. Cincinnati, Arizona vs. SMU, Mississippi State vs. Wake Forest.
Mississippi State is favored to cover against Wake Forest despite a 5-7 record.
The College Football Playoff semifinals are set for January 8–9, 2026, with Miami vs. Ole Miss and Oregon vs. Indiana.
SportsLine's model predicts outcomes for all games and notes betting strategies.

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