By Dane Miller, SuperWest Sports activities
The Large 12 groups from the West could have missed out on the Faculty Soccer Playoff.
Nevertheless it’s bowl season, and the video games matter to the packages concerned.
With only one extra matchup to soak up earlier than the lengthy offseason, that is the ultimate send-off we get for the 2025 season.
I preview the Vacation Bowl right here.
SMU v. No. 17 Arizona
Friday, January 2
5:00 p.m. PT, FOX
Snapdragon Stadium, San Diego, CA
Arizona and SMU face off in one of the anticipated bowl video games exterior of the CFP.
The Mustangs subject the No. 4 scoring offense within the ACC, averaging 32.9 factors per sport. They usually get it performed principally by way of the air.
SMU has the highest passing offense within the ACC and is No. 11 nationally in passing yards per sport.
However that performs immediately into the arms of Arizona’s protection. The Wildcats are elite at defending the move.
Fielding the nation’s prime move effectivity protection and coming into the sport No. 4 nationally in interceptions, the matchup favors Arizona.
Danny Gonzales’s system makes use of variable seems to be designed to confuse opposing quarterbacks.
SMU quarterback Kevin Jennings doesn’t precisely deal with the ball, both. With 10 interceptions on the season, the UA secondary may have a subject day.
Jennings stopped operating the ball this yr, too, and comes into the sport with simply 50 yards dashing.
On offense, Arizona is lining up in opposition to one of many worst move defenses within the ACC. The Mustangs enable 284.7 yards passing per sport, placing them sixteenth within the league.
That’s not signal for those who’re an SMU fan. Seth Doege’s offense thrives when throwing the ball and Arizona has quite a few weapons at receiver to take benefit.
And with none important opt-outs, UA is in a good place.
Mixed with a crowd that’s anticipated to considerably favor Arizona, it’s honest to count on the Cats to win.
Miller covers Faculty Basketball and Faculty Soccer in addition to Method 1 racing as a Senior Author and Assistant Editor for SuperWest Sports activities.
