Bowl games mean different things to different teams and that likely will be the case in Friday's Holiday Bowl matchup between Arizona and SMU.
The Wildcats (9-3) are looking to wrap up a true bounce-back season with another win after finishing 4-8 in coach Brent Brennan's first campaign a year ago. Arizona won its last five regular-season games and ended up at No. 17 in the final College Football Playoff rankings.
Speaking of the CFP, that's where SMU was last season before sliding back to 8-4 and the infamous five-way tie for second place in the ACC this year. The Mustangs still have plenty of firepower with QB Kevin Jennings at the helm. He has 3,363 passing yards (good for 11th in the country) and 26 TDs this season.
Who will finish the season on a high note? Here's everything you need to know to watch Arizona vs. SMU on Friday.
What channel is Arizona vs. SMU on?
- TV channel: Fox
- Live stream: Fubo
The Liberty Bowl will air on Fox, with Gus Johnson, Joel Klatt and Jenny Taft on the call. College football fans can stream the game live on Fubo.
Fubo offers a free trial for new subscribers, so you can try the service before you buy. Stream ESPN, ABC, CBS, Fox and 100+ top channels of live TV and sports without cable. (Participating plans only. Taxes and fees may apply.)
Holiday Bowl start time
- Date: Friday, Jan. 2
- Time: 8 p.m. ET | 7 p.m. CT | 6 p.m. MT
The 2025 Holiday Bowl will begin at 8 p.m. ET on Friday, Jan. 2. It's the first time in the bowl game's nearly 50-year history that it will be played in January.
Arizona vs. SMU radio station
- Radio station: SiriusXM channels 83 (Arizona broadcast), 371 (SMU broadcast)
You can listen to the Holiday Bowl live on SiriusXM. Coverage will be available on channel 83 for the Arizona call and 371 for the Mustangs' radio team.
New subscribers can listen to SiriusXM for free for four months. Listen to live NFL, MLB, NBA and NHL games, plus NASCAR, college sports and more. Stay updated with all the news and get all the analysis on multiple sport-specific channels.
Holiday Bowl location, stadium
- City: San Diego, Calif.
- Stadium: Snapdragon Stadium
The Holiday Bowl will be played at Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego, home of San Diego State football, MLS team San Diego FC, and the San Diego Wave of the NWSL.
It will be the second edition of the longtime San Diego bowl fixture at the facility, which had been held at the Padres' Petco Park from 2021-23.
College football bowl schedule 2025-26
Friday, Jan. 2
| Bowl | Matchup | Time (ET) | TV/Live stream |
|---|---|---|---|
| Armed Forces Bowl | Texas State vs. Rice | 1 p.m. | ESPN, Fubo, ESPN app |
| Liberty Bowl | Navy vs. Cincinnati | 4:30 p.m. | ESPN, Fubo, ESPN app |
| Duke's Mayo Bowl | Mississippi State vs. Wake Forest | 8 p.m. | ESPN, Fubo, ESPN app |
| Holiday Bowl | SMU vs. Arizona | 8 p.m. | Fox, Fubo |
Thursday, Jan. 8
| Bowl | Matchup | Time (ET) | TV/Live stream |
|---|---|---|---|
| CFP Semifinal (Fiesta Bowl) | Cotton winner vs. Sugar winner | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN, Fubo, ESPN app |
Friday, Jan. 9
| Bowl | Matchup | Time (ET) | TV/Live stream |
|---|---|---|---|
| CFP Semifinal (Peach Bowl) | Rose winner vs. Orange winner | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN, Fubo, ESPN app |
Monday, Jan. 19
| Bowl | Matchup | Time (ET) | TV/Live stream |
|---|---|---|---|
| CFP National Championship | TBD vs. TBD | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN, Fubo, ESPN app |
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