The Arizona Wildcats are aiming for a significant milestone as they prepare for the Holiday Bowl against SMU on Friday, hoping to secure their 10th win of the season. Coach Brent Brennan highlighted the importance of consistency and building upon good performances year after year, a challenge the program has faced since its last run of consecutive winning seasons from 2012 to 2015.
Following a disappointing 4-8 season where they fell from a promising 10-3 record under former coach Jedd Fisch, the Wildcats have rebounded impressively to finish the regular season with a 9-3 record. Brennan credited the additional month of practice earned from their Territorial Cup victory over ASU as a critical component in developing a strong football program. He emphasized the necessity of balancing extensive practice with maintaining player health, noting, “It’s a huge component of why great programs are consistently good.”
To prepare for the Holiday Bowl, Arizona has utilized 13 bonus practices in Tucson, allowing players to fine-tune their skills and maintain physical readiness. Brennan, reflecting on his own bowl experience from playing in the 1994 Rose Bowl for UCLA, underlined the importance of the bowl game as a memorable occasion for the players, stating he wants them to enjoy the experience while remaining focused on the game.
In a positive turn of events regarding player commitments, Brennan reported that only seven players have expressed intentions to enter the transfer portal, which officially opens on Friday. He acknowledged the personal nature of these decisions, emphasizing his respect for the players’ processes and choices.
As the Wildcats gear up for the Holiday Bowl, both defensive coordinator Danny Gonzalez, a semifinalist for the nation’s top assistant position, and offensive coordinator Seth Doege are expected to return for the 2026 season, along with quarterback Noah Fifita, who will be finishing his final year as a redshirt senior. With a strong end to the regular season and a solid preparation for the bowl game, Arizona fans are hopeful for a successful outing in the upcoming matchup.