SAN DIEGO — One game stands between the Arizona Wildcats and reaching 10 wins for the second time in three seasons — the fifth 10-win season all-time.
No. 17 Arizona takes on SMU for the Trust & Will Holiday Bowl on Friday at Snapdragon Stadium.
The winning coach will don a Holiday Bowl-themed ugly sweater after the game. Will it be Arizona's Brent Brennan or SMU's Rhett Lashlee?
These six players from both Arizona and SMU could determine which coach will wear the sweater on Friday.
Arizona Wildcats
Jay'Vion Cole: After Cole transferred from Texas last offseason, the redshirt junior cornerback recorded four interceptions and is the fourth-highest graded Arizona defender on PFF with an 80.6 defensive grade — 84.7 grade in pass coverage — this season.
Cole, who received Big 12 Defensive Newcomer of the Year honorable mention, has only allowed 48 yards after catch this season, which is the fewest among Arizona's starting defensive backs.
Arizona running back Kedrick Reescano (3) cruises nearly untouched into the end zone, scoring against Baylor during the fourth quarter of their Big 12 game, Nov. 22, 2025 in Tucson.
Kedrick Reescano, running back: Even though Reescano doesn't lead the Wildcats in rushing yards, he has nine rushing touchdowns this season, the most by a UA running back since Zach Green in 2017. Reescano has scored five touchdowns in the last three games.
Seven of Reescano's nine touchdowns are inside the red zone. SMU has the top red-zone defense in the ACC and has caused five interceptions, three fumbles and four turnover on downs in the red zone this season.
Michael Salgado-Medina, kicker: If SMU stops Reescano and Arizona's offense from scoring touchdowns in the red zone, Salgado-Medina will be asked to convert stalled drives into points.
Salgado-Medina is 19-for-31 at kicking field goals this season. He's 5 for 12 at field goals between 40-49 yards this season. Salgado-Medina has displayed leg strength, including a 57-yarder against Oklahoma State and a crucial 51-yarder against Cincinnati, but the mid- and short-range kicks will be essential against SMU's pesky defense.
SMU Mustangs
SMU quarterback Kevin Jennings celebrates after throwing a touchdown pass during the first half of Saturday's game against Pittsburgh in Dallas.
Kevin Jennings, quarterback: Jennings has the second-most passing yards (3,363) in the ACC to go along with 26 touchdowns and 10 interceptions this season. Jennings' passing yards rank 10th in college football. With tight end RJ Maryland and wide receiver Romello Brinson potentially opting out to prepare for the NFL Draft, Jennings' top targets could be leading receiver Jordan Hudson, slot receiver Yamir Knight and tight end Matthew Hibner.
Jennings has been nursing a leg injury all season; his mobility could be a factor against the Wildcats, considering the month between the regular season and the Holiday Bowl.
Ahmaad Moses, safety: SMU's standout defensive back is tied for the third-most interceptions (5) in college football this season; he also has a team-high 91 tackles. SMU safety Isaiah Nwokobia is recovering from surgery and won't play on Friday, leaving Moses as SMU's most experienced player in the secondary.
Isaiah Smith, defensive end: The 6-4, 248-pound Smith, who was a second-team All-ACC selection, has the second-most sacks (8.5) in the ACC this season. The Mustangs have the third-most sacks (34) in the ACC this season. Arizona has allowed the third-most sacks (29) in the Big 12.
SMU's pass rush, led by Smith, could be the toughest challenge for Arizona this season, especially with redshirt freshman Matthew Lado, who's done a serviceable job and appears to be in line to be a starter next season, making the third start of his career.
