The drought is finally over for SMU football.

In what turned out to be an ugly second-half performance from their offense, the Mustangs fought off a second-half comeback from No. 20 Arizona to win the Holiday Bowl by a score of 24-19 on Friday, Jan. 2 inside Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego.

It’s the first bowl for the Mustangs since the 2012 Hawaii Bowl.

Stream the Holiday Bowl live with Fubo (free trial)

After putting up 328 total yards of offense and 24 points in the first half — with 14 of them courtesy of running back T.J. Harden — the Wildcats defense made some second half adjustments and held SMU scoreless, allowing only 64 yards after halftime. 

Following a first half in which it committed five penalties for 50 yards, Arizona was able to get back into the game thanks to back-to-back interceptions from Jennings to begin the third quarter. The Wildcats could only cut the deficit to five points following Noah Fifita’s 15-yard touchdown pass to Cameron Barmore with 33 seconds remaining in the game.

Jennings completed 21-of-32 passes for 278 yards and three interceptions, while Fifita completed 28-of-43 passes for 265 yards, three touchdowns and an interception. Both teams finish the season with a 9-4 overall record. 

USA TODAY Sports provided live updates from the game. Follow along for a recap:

Arizona vs SMU live score

This section will be updated.

Arizona vs SMU live updates

This section has been updated with new information

Final score: SMU 24, Arizona 19

SMU recovers onside kick, wins Holiday Bowl

SMU recovers the onside kick attempt from Arizona, and Kevin Jennings takes the knee to give the Mustangs the 24-19 win in the Holiday Bowl. A valiant second-half comeback from the Wildcats comes up short in San Diego.

Arizona scores TD

The Wildcats aren’t going away yet. Noah Fifita tosses one up to Cameron Barmore in the back of the end zone on third-and-10 for the 15-yard touchdown pass to cut the deficit to 24-19. It’s the 29th touchdown pass of the season from Fifita.

Arizona will now look to recover the onside kick with 33 seconds remaining in the game.

SMU punts

SMU is forced to send out the punt unit as Kevin Jennings is two yards short of the first down. If Jennings had dived instead of slid forward on the field, he would have picked up the first down and the Mustangs could have let the clock run down.

Arizona will now look to drive down the field for a touchdown at its own 25-yard line with 2:43 left on the clock. The Wildcats have no timeouts remaining.

SMU intercepts Noah Fifita

SMU’s Alexander Kilgore comes up with a huge interception for the Mustangs defense, and that should be enough for SMU to put this game away … barring another turnover. It’s the first true mistake by Noah Fifita on the night.

The Mustangs are just over three minutes away from their first bowl win in over a decade.

Arizona intercepts Kevin Jennings

Just when it looks like SMU fixed its struggles on offense, Kevin Jennings throws his third interception of the second half. It looks like Jennings didn’t see Arizona’s Riley Wilson in his progressions, and because of that the Wildcats have a chance to cut this deficit further.

Arizona cuts deficit with TD pass

SMU nearly brings down Noah Fifita, but the Arizona quarterback dodges the tackle and throws a 10-yard touchdown pass to Tre Spivey on fourth-and-2 instead. The Wildcats are unsuccessful on the 2-point conversion.

The Mustangs now lead 24-12 with 8:40 remaining in the fourth quarter.

SMU punts

SMU’s second-half offensive struggles continue as the Mustangs go three-and-out for the third consecutive drive. Arizona’s offense heads back onto the field after 57 seconds of game time on the bench with a shot to bring the score closer.

End of third quarter: SMU 24, Arizona 6

Arizona turns ball over on downs

SMU’s defense bails Kevin Jennings out by forcing another turnover on downs on the final play of the third quarter. Given its field goal kicking troubles this season, Arizona elected to go for it on fourth-and-6 at the SMU 10-yard line, but Noah Fifita missed his target in the end zone.

The Mustangs take over at their own 10-yard line with a 24-6 lead going into the fourth quarter.

Arizona intercepts Kevin Jennings

The tables are beginning to turn in the second half, as Arizona picks up its second interception of the night off of Kevin Jennings after a brief game of hot potato as players from both teams fight for the ball in the air.

It’s back-to-back drives with a poor decision by Jennings. The Wildcats now start with short field position at SMU’s 44-yard line.

Noah Fifita throws 28-yard TD pass

Arizona is finally on the board thanks to a 28-yard touchdown pass from Noah Fifita to Javin Whatley near the back of the end zone. The Wildcats then try for the 2-point conversion, but it is unsuccessful.

It’s the first drive where the Wildcats were able to drive down the field without being called for a penalty …progress! The drive was 15 plays for 96 yards and took 7:31 off the game clock.

Arizona intercepts Kevin Jennings

Kevin Jennings’ first mistake of the game comes in the third quarter with an underthrown pass on the run intended for Jordan Hudson. The third-and-4 pass from Jennings is intercepted at the 4-yard line by Michael Dansby.

Arizona turns it over on downs

SMU’s defensive Terry Webb stuffs Arizona running back Quincy Craig on fourth-and-1 to force the second turnover on downs of the night for the Wildcats’ defense.

Self-inflicted penalties continue to hurt Arizona’s offense from getting into a rhythm. This time, it was a false start penalty on third-and-1 that held the Wildcats back from extending their drive.

End of first half: SMU 24, Arizona 0

The first half comes to a close on an 11-yard carry from Arizona running back Ismail Mahdi on first-and-10. SMU heads into the locker room with a commanding 24-0 lead after a full-out dominating first 30 minutes of action in the Holiday Bowl.

Kevin Jennings completed 18-of-23 passes for 248 yards, while Noah Fifita completed 7-of-13 passes for 43 yards.

The Wildcats were unable to find a rhythm offensively in the first half, as they were held to just 132 total yards of offense. A reason behind that struggle can be pointed to the Wildcats’ self-inflicted wounds: four penalties for 45 yards.

SMU extends lead with field goal

SMU extends its lead to 24-0 just before halftime with a 24-yard field goal from Sam Keltner. It’s the first time that SMU has gotten into the red zone and not scored a touchdown on the night.

The Mustangs have created a total of 328 yards of offense compared to Arizona’s 111.

Arizona turns ball over on downs

Down three possessions and on SMU’s side of the field for the first time, Arizona elects to go for it on fourth-and-2. It, however, doesn’t work out for the Wildcats as Tyren Polley Jr. breaks up Noah Fifita’s pass attempt for a turnover on downs.

SMU gets the ball back at its own 35-yard line with 5:23 remaining until halftime.

SMU extends lead with TD

Stone Eby takes the inside handoff from Kevin Jennings, and it results in the 1-yard rushing touchdown to extend SMU’s lead to 21-0 over Arizona. It’s all Mustangs in this one, as SMU has now scored a touchdown on three of its first four drives.

The scoring drive was 16 plays for 94 yards and took 6:47 off the game clock. Something to monitor for SMU is T.J. Harden, who was brought to the sidelines after going down weirdly on a 2-yard carry to set up Eby’s score.

End of first quarter: SMU 14, Arizona 0

SMU continues to feed T.J. Harden and he picks up 13 yards for a new set of downs on the final play of the first quarter. The Mustangs head into the second quarter on their own 40-yard line with a 14-0 lead over Arizona.

The Wildcats struggled to find an offensive rhythm in the opening frame, as SMU’s defense held Arizona to just 71 total yards of offense, with all but four of those coming on the ground. Quarterback Noah Fifita was 3-of-7 passing for four yards.

Kevin Jennings has been excellent for SMU, as he went 9-of-12 passing for 187 yards in the first quarter.

T.J. Harden scores second TD of game

T.J. Harden bounces off the left side and pushes through defenders into the end zone to extend SMU’s lead in the Holiday Bowl to 14-0. It’s the second touchdown of the night for Harden.

Kevin Jennings added to his hot start with a pair of nice throws on SMU’s eight-play drive: a 31-yard pass up the left sideline to Jalen Cooper and a 21-yard pass to Yamir Knight on the RPO. He’s 8-of-10 passing for 165 yards to begin the night.

The drive itself was eight plays for 87 yards and took 3:12 off the game clock.

Yamir Knight makes ridiculous catch for SMU

Kevin Jennings airs one up on third-and-11, and Yamir Knight comes up with an impressive catch that ends with him making a spin in the air over an Arizona defender. The Mustangs end up punting the ball back to the Wildcats a few plays later.

Arizona punts

SMU cornerback Marcellus Barnes Jr. breaks up Noah Fifita’s throw on third down, and Arizona sends out the punt unit. The Wildcats were unable to recover from an ineligible man downfield penalty.

T.J. Harden scores SMU touchdown

T.J. Harden punches it in from the 1-yard line to give SMU the opening drive touchdown score. The big play of the drive came on the second play of the drive when Kevin Jennings was able to connect with Matthew Hibner for an 80-yard catch, the longest catch in Holiday Bowl history.

What a start for the Mustangs, who drove down the field for 83 yards in three plays and 56 seconds to take the early lead.

Arizona wins toss, SMU starts with ball

Arizona wins the coin toss and defers the opening kickoff to the second half. That means Kevin Jennings and the SMU offense will start with the ball first. We’re just about ready for kickoff in San Diego!

Pregame

Arizona takes field for Holiday Bowl

With kickoff just 30 minutes away in San Diego, Arizona takes the field for warmups at the Holiday Bowl. The Wildcats are looking for their first win in the Holiday Bowl since the 1998 season when they beat Nebraska 23-20.

SMU quarterback Kevin Jennings warming up for Holiday Bowl

SMU quarterback Kevin Jennings has taken the field to get ready for his start in the Holiday Bowl against Arizona. Jennings enters Friday’s bowl game with 3,363 passing yards and 26 touchdown passes on the season.

SMU arrives for Holiday Bowl

The Mustangs are on site for their Holiday Bowl matchup against Arizona. SMU is looking for its first bowl win since 2012, when it was still a member of Conference USA.

What time does Arizona vs SMU start?

• Date: Friday, Jan. 2
• Time: 8 p.m. ET
• Where: Snapdragon Stadium (San Diego)

Arizona and SMU are set to kick off at 8 p.m. ET on Friday, Jan. 2 in the Holiday Bowl inside Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego.

What TV channel is Arizona vs SMU on today?

• TV channel: Fox
• Streaming options: Fox Sports Go app | Fubo (free trial)

Fox will broadcast the Holiday Bowl between Arizona and SMU on Jan. 2. Gus Johnson and Joel Klatt will broadcast the game from the booth at Snapdragon Stadium, with Jenny Taft reporting from the sidelines.

Streaming options for the game include the Fox Sports app (with a TV login) and Fubo, which carries Fox and offers a free trial to new subscribers.

Stream the Holiday Bowl live with Fubo (free trial)

Arizona vs SMU predictions in Holiday Bowl

Here’s who experts within the USA TODAY Sports Network picked to win the Holiday Bowl:

• Matt Hayes: Arizona
• Jordan Mendoza: SMU
• Paul Myerberg: Arizona
• Erick Smith: Arizona
• Eddie Timanus: Arizona
• Blake Toppmeyer: SMU

Arizona vs SMU odds, spread for Holiday Bowl

Odds courtesy of BetMGM as of Thursday, Jan. 1

• Spread: Arizona -1.5
• Over/under: 51.5
• Moneyline: SMU (-105) | Arizona (-115)

The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news — fast. Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more.

The New York Rangers remain kings of the road and champions of the outdoor game.

Playing in the first outdoor game to be held in the Sunshine State, the Rangers routed the two-time defending champion Florida Panthers 5-1 at the Winter Classic in loanDepot Park to improve to 6-0 in outdoor games and set records in the process.

Mika Zibanejad, named to Team Sweden in the morning, recorded the first hat trick in Winter Classic history. He also had the first five-point outdoor game, breaking the record of four set by Jordan Kyrou in the 2022 Winter Classic.

Artemi Panarin scored the Rangers’ other two goals as New York improved to 15-8-2 on the road. They’re 5-10-3 at home.

The Panthers lost defenseman Seth Jones to injury about 12 hours after the announcement that he made the U.S. Olympic team. He was hit up high by a puck.

‘It doesn’t look terrible right now,’ coach Paul Maurice said. ‘He just has to get looked at tomorrow.’

The Rangers and Panthers are tied with 45 points, one point out of a playoff spot.

Maurice was upbeat about the experience, despite the big loss.

‘This was an incredible event,’ he said. ‘I can’t believe how many people worked on this, and they got it all right. This is the losing coach (talking). Incredible memories. … I thought it was spectacular. I imagine the Rangers really loved it.’

USA TODAY Sports provided live updates from the Winter Classic. Here are game highlights:

Rangers vs. Panthers Winter Classic highlights

Final score: Rangers 5, Panthers 1

The Rangers defeat the two-time defending champions behind three goals from Mika Zibanejad and two from Artemi Panarin. It’s the Rangers’ 15th road win this season.

Mika Zibanejad hat trick

He scores a short-handed empty netter for the first hat trick in Winter Classic history. It’s his fifth point of the game, an outdoor record. Rangers 5, Panthers 1

Panthers goal waved off

Sam Reinhart is ruled to have kicked the puck into the net. No goal.

Panthers power play

Carson Soucy is called for interference. Sergei Bobrovsky comes off the ice for an extra skater with 3:22 left.

Rangers add to lead

Artemi Panarin scores on the power play for his second goal of the game. Mika Zibanejad picks up his fourth point of the game. That ties a Winter Classic record by the Blues’ Jordan Kyrou. Rangers 4, Panthers 1

Panthers power play

Matthew Robertson is called for delay of game. Officials said he intentionally knocked the net off its moorings. New York kills it off, allowing no shots.

Panthers get one goal back

Sam Reinhart scores. Aaron Ekblad makes a great keep-in and picks up a secondary assist. Rangers 3, Panthers 1

Panthers power play

New York’s Jonny Brodzinski is called for tripping. Aaron Ekblad is taking Seth Jones’ spot on the power play point.

Third period underway

3-0 Rangers. Alexis Lafreniere (three assists) is back after being shaken up late in the second period.

End of second: Rangers 3, Panthers 0

Mika Zibanejad added to the Rangers’ lead early in the period with his second goal of the game. Alexis Lafreniere has three assists, tying the record for most assists in an outdoor game

Seth Jones injury update

The Florida defenseman won’t return to the game because of an upper body injury, the Panthers announced. He was hit up high by a puck.

Rangers goal waved off

The Rangers knock the puck into the net with a high stick and the goal is waved off. Still 3-0 Rangers.

Rangers add to lead

Mika Zibanejad scores 58 seconds into the second period for his second goal of the game. Alexis Lafreniere picks up his third assist of the game. Rangers 3, Panthers 0

Second period underway

2-0 Rangers.

Rangers-Panthers first period highlights

The Rangers lead the Panthers 2-0 after a pair of goals late in the opening period.

Rangers jump ahead with 2-0 lead

The Rangers scored another quick goal with 3:47 left in the first period to take a 2-0 lead. Artemi Panarin was credited with the goal after a deflection. It’s Panarin’s 15th goal of the season.

Mika Zibanejad gives Rangers early lead

After 15:09 in the first period, Mika Zibanejad provided New York with the first lead of the game on a power play.

Vincent Trocheck called for delay of game

Rangers center Vincent Trocheck was sent to the penalty box for two minutes after being called for delaying the game. Trocheck hit the puck over the glass.

Panthers center Jack Studnicka was called for a similar penalty later in the period.

Panthers’ Seth Jones leaves game with injury

Panthers defenseman Seth Jones left the game with an apparent upper-body injury.

Jones appeared to be in distress after taking a puck to the left shoulder/collarbone area.

He was seen briefly on the TNT broadcast entering a medical tent on the sideline. It was said on the broadcast that Jones was headed toward the dressing room. He’s likely to be evaluated further.

Rangers, Panthers attempt early shots

The Rangers managed to produce two shots on goal compared to the Panthers’ one shot on goal through the first three minutes of the opening period. The game remains scoreless.

Panthers goaltender Sergi Bobrovsky was credited with two early saves.

What channel is Panthers vs Rangers Winter Classic today?

TV channel: TNT, truTV

Livestream: Sling TV and HBO Max

Watch Winter Classic on Sling TV

What time is Panthers vs Rangers Winter Classic today?

Date: Friday, Jan. 2

Time: 8 p.m. ET

The game is scheduled to start at 8 p.m. ET at loanDepot Park in Miami, Florida.

Winter Classic Panthers vs Rangers: How to watch, stream

Time: 8 p.m. ET on Friday, Jan. 2

Location: loanDepot Park (Miami, Florida)

TV: TNT, truTV

Streaming: Sling TV and HBO Max

Winter Classic weather forecast

The weather forecast at 8 p.m. ET in Miami calls for mostly clear skies and 64 degrees. The temperature will drop to 61 during the game.

Florida Panthers lineup

New York Rangers lineup

How is the ice?

Rangers coach Mike Sullivan said he was ‘pleasantly surprised’ by the quality of ice at loanDepot Park, especially given the perception of playing outdoors in Florida. ‘I thought it was pretty good conditions, given the circumstances,’ he said on Jan. 1.

Outdoor games in Florida

This will be the first outdoor game of two in Florida this season. The Lightning will host the Bruins on Feb. 1 in Tampa’s Raymond James Stadium.

U.S. Olympic roster announced

Two Rangers players made the U.S. Olympic men’s hockey team: J.T. Miller and Vincent Trocheck. Panthers defenseman Seth Jones also made the team, but Rangers defenseman Adam Fox did not. Fox had played for the USA at the 4 Nations Face-Off, as did Miller and Trocheck. Rangers coach Mike Sullivan is coach of the U.S. team.

Panthers arrive in style

Rangers, Panthers record in outdoor games

The Rangers are 5-0 in outdoor games. The Panthers are making their outdoor debut. Former Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist, part of the TNT studio crew for the game, went 4-0 in outdoor games with the Rangers.

Rangers arrive in Miami Vice attire

One of the subplots of an outdoor game is which coordinated outfits the teams will wear when entering the stadium. In the past, the Flyers dressed like Rocky, the Golden Knights dressed like Elvis and the Blue Jackets and Red Wings paid tribute to the late Johnny Gaudreau.

The Rangers adopted a Miami Vice look on Friday when they arrived at loanDepot Park.

Panthers, Rangers out on ice

With 2026 now officially underway, the college football season is nearly at its end. But before we wrap things up in the Bowl Subdivision with next week’s College Football Playoff semifinals and the subsequent title game, we have one more full day of bowl games to enjoy.

If it’s big-name programs you want, Friday’s lineup might not appeal to you. But the slate does feature a couple of squads in the US LBM Coaches Poll, as well as some of the nation’s premier academic institutions. One of the prime-time contests will hopefully live up to our placement in the bowl rankings – several of which, we freely admit, were wildly off the mark. Here are the Friday bowl offerings.

Armed Forces Bowl: Texas State vs. Rice

Time/TV: 1 p.m. ET, ESPN in Fort Worth, Texas.

Why watch: The last full day of the bowl season kicks off with a pair of Lone Star State squads without much shared history. These same two teams did, however, square off in the First Responder Bowl two years ago, with the Bobcats taking a 45-21 decision. The 2025 campaign wasn’t a huge success for either program, but both should enjoy this opportunity. Unfortunately, Owls starting QB Chase Jenkins and backup Drew Devillier have announced plans to transfer, meaning either Lucas Scheerhorn or Patrick Crayton Jr., both little-used freshmen, will be pressed into service. The Bobcats should have most of their primary contributors, including QB Brad Jackson and WRs Beau Sparks and Chris Dawn.

Why it could disappoint: Texas State generates a ton of long scoring plays, and the Owls tend to give them up. That certainly looks ominous from a competitive standpoint.

Liberty Bowl: No. 25 Navy vs. Cincinnati

Time/TV: 4:30 p.m. ET, ESPN in Memphis, Tenn.

Why watch: With a double-digit win season and the Commander in Chief’s Trophy secured, the Midshipmen have one more goal to attain, a Top 25 ranking to finish the campaign. The Bearcats briefly cracked the poll themselves this fall before closing the year on a four-game skid. Cincinnati QB Brendan Sorsby is in the portal, so the start will go to Brady Lichtenberg, who has attempted just six passes but completed four of them. Navy QB Blake Horvath will look to close out his outstanding career on a high note, with help as usual from RB Alex Tecza and SB Eli Heidenreich.

Why it could disappoint: It shouldn’t. Even with most of its regular lineup, Navy doesn’t usually win with wide margins but by executing better in the details. Expect a close one here.

Duke’s Mayo Bowl: Wake Forest vs. Mississippi State

Time/TV: 8 p.m. ET, ESPN in Charlotte, N.C.

Why watch: Year one in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, under Jake Dickert unquestionably exceeded expectations. The Demon Deacons now look to close out the year by giving their new head coach a mayo bath. The Bulldogs managed just one victory in SEC play but were within a score on a couple other occasions. Wake QB Robby Ashford wasn’t always an accurate passer but usually got the ball where it needed to go. He will be without draft-bound RB Demond Claiborne and breakout WR Chris Barnes who is in the portal. The Mississippi State offense will be in the hands of freshman Kamario Taylor, who didn’t have much luck in his Egg Bowl start against Ole Miss but does have some speedy weapons at his disposal.

Why it could disappoint: Wake’s most significant strides this fall were on the defensive side, which was demonstrably not the case for the Bulldogs. Miss State could win a shootout, so it might behoove the Deacons to moderate the tempo.

Holiday Bowl: No. 20 Arizona vs. SMU

Time/TV: 8 p.m. ET, Fox in San Diego.

Why watch: The non-playoff bowl calendar closes in – usually – sunny San Diego, where the Wildcats and Mustangs could put on an offensive show. Both teams should have most of their top producers participating. Arizona QB Noah Fifita threw for 2,963 yards and 26 TDs, with WR Kris Hutson serving as primary target and RB Ismail Mahdi leading the ground game. SMU counters with QB Kevin Jennings, who also has 26 scoring tosses but twice as many picks with 10 on the season. He spreads the ball well, but TE Matthew Hibner is a valuable weapon in the red zone.

Why it could disappoint: We hope this one delivers the goods, but both teams have opportunistic defenses that thrive on takeaways. It might get away if those occur early, as happened to SMU in last year’s playoff appearance.

AI-assisted summary
• The college football transfer portal is set to create a major shift in quarterback lineups for the upcoming season.
• Several top programs, including Miami, LSU, and Florida, are expected to pursue new quarterbacks through the portal.
• Many potential transfers involve quarterbacks reuniting with former coaches at new schools.

The opening of the college football transfer portal will trigger a game of musical chairs at quarterback guaranteed to impact next year’s race for the national championship.

As evidence, just look at this year’s College Football Playoff, where over half the teams in the field started a transfer under center – Indiana, Ohio State, Oregon, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Miami and Tulane.

One team that could influence how things unfold is Oregon, which is waiting on Dante Moore’s NFL draft decision. If he leaves, the Ducks will be near the top of the list for every high-profile transfer, potentially shaping plans for other contenders searching for a new starter.

As the portal heats up, let’s connect 10 Power Four programs with the best possible transfer fit:

Miami

Should Moore return, Miami’s recent success with Cam Ward and Carson Beck will make Coral Gables the most desirable destination for this year’s transfer class. One strong match is former Arizona State starter Sam Leavitt, who burst onto the national scene in 2024 but struggled through an injury-marred redshirt sophomore year. After a pair of one-year rentals, Mario Cristobal and the Hurricanes could be enticed by the chance to secure someone who could be a multiple-season solution.

Texas Tech

Texas Tech is waiting on Cincinnati transfer Brendan Sorsby, a native Texan who has starting experience, Big 12 experience and a dual-threat skill set that fits nicely in the Red Raiders’ scheme with Behren Morton moving on. Sorsby, however, could choose to forego his final season for the NFL if he receives a strong draft grade.

Indiana

Look for Curt Cignetti’s search for Fernando Mendoza’s replacement to land on TCU transfer Josh Hoover, who blossomed over two-plus years as the starter in Sonny Dykes’ scheme. While he’ll need to trim his turnovers, the rising senior has the makeup to help maintain the Hoosiers’ evolution into a Power Four powerhouse. As a high school recruit, Hoover was verbally committed to Indiana before flipping to the Horned Frogs.

Penn State

Drew Allar has exhausted his eligibility and replacement Ethan Grunkemeyer has an uncertain future. This one isn’t complicated: New coach Matt Campbell should be reunited with rising senior Rocco Becht, who started 39 games for Campbell at Iowa State and would ease his transition to the Big Ten.

LSU

Portal options might be tripping over themselves to get to the front of the line to play for Lane Kiffin at LSU. One is DJ Lagway, who oozes talent but never put things together in his two years at Florida. But Kiffin and the Tigers are likely waiting on a possible eligibility waiver for current Ole Miss starter Trinidad Chambliss, who has petitioned the NCAA for a sixth year. If he’s successful, Baton Rouge would be the obvious fit.

Florida

With Lagway gone and new coach Jon Sumrall in, the Gators could be in the market for multiple transfers to add to what is currently a thin quarterback room. One immediate connection is with Georgia Tech transfer Aaron Philo, who impressed in eight appearances over the past two years under new Florida coordinator Buster Faulkner. In his one start in 2025, Philo completed 21 of 28 passes for 373 yards against Gardner-Webb.

Auburn

Like Penn State, Auburn likely won’t look far for its new quarterback. As a first-year starter in 2025 under new coach Alex Golesh at South Florida, Byrum Brown threw for 3,158 yards, ran for 1,008 yards, had 42 combined touchdowns and might’ve been the nation’s most unheralded player. Landing Brown would really help speed up Golesh’s rebuilding project.

Clemson

Clemson could ignore the portal and roll with rising junior Christopher Vizzina, who threw for 406 yards in an uneven 2025 season as the primary backup, or redshirt freshman Chris Denson. But the Tigers really have to increase their options in what might be a make-or-break year. They should be in the mix for Sorsby, Lagway and others. One transfer who could bring some valuable athleticism to the competition is former Old Dominion starter Colton Joseph, who joined Brown as the only quarterbacks to throw for at least 2,000 yards and run for another 1,000 this season.

Tennessee

The idea of handing the keys to redshirt freshman George MacIntyre or incoming freshman Faizon Brandon should demand the addition of at least one experienced passer. Should the Volunteers be looking for a one-year rental before handing the keys to MacIntyre or Brandon in 2027, one option who checks the boxes is James Madison transfer Alonza Barnett III, a rising senior with the legs to bring an interesting new dimension to Josh Heupel’s offense.

Nebraska

The Cornhuskers will be looking for an offensive reboot built around a more athletic option. Rising sophomore TJ Lateef replaced an injured Dylan Raiola in early November and helped land the team in the Las Vegas Bowl, though he played poorly after an impressive debut against UCLA. One player who matches what Matt Rhule is looking for is Notre Dame transfer Kenny Minchey, a rising junior who pushed for the starting role this past summer and has looked very good in his limited opportunities.

AI-assisted summary
• The Fiesta Bowl semifinal pits No. 6 Ole Miss against No. 10 Miami, with the outcome likely decided in the trenches.
• Miami’s success hinges on its defensive line dominating and its offense establishing a strong running game.
• Ole Miss looks to counter with quarterback Trinidad Chambliss’s mobility and an offense that excelled against Georgia.

The Fiesta Bowl will be decided on the line of scrimmage.

The College Football Playoff national semifinal between No. 6 seed Mississippi and No. 10 Miami will come down to whether the Hurricanes can dictate things up front, much like they did in dispatching defending national champion Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl.

That win sent a clear message about how capably coach Mario Cristobal has installed his inside-out blueprint for rebuilding the program.

Ole Miss moved to 2-0 without Lane Kiffin by reversing a 21-12 deficit against No. 3 Georgia and winning the Sugar Bowl 39-34.

Whie losers to the Bulldogs during the regular season, the Rebels began to take control in the third quarter thanks to quarterback Trinidad Chambliss, who finished with 362 yards and two touchdowns.

Even with Kiffin off to LSU, the offense totaled with 473 yards on 6.5 yards per play.

Key factors for Miami

Now the Hurricanes will face the same challenge of slowing Ole Miss. Whether Miami advances to the championship game depends on two factors: its ability to command the ball on offense and whether its defensive line can dominate for the second game in a row.

Offensively, the Hurricanes will look to establish the run behind junior Mark Fletcher Jr. and a rapidly improving front. If successful, a solid running game opens things up for senior quarterback Carson Beck, who played things safe against the Buckeyes and was without an interception for the fifth time in six games.

On defense, Miami’s defensive front has the potential to give the Rebels fits and take over the Fiesta Bowl. This group bullied the Buckeyes’ offensive line and fazed a normally unflappable Julian Sayin, who had his worst game since the season opener against Texas.

How Ole Miss beats Miami

But based on its play against No. 11 Tulane and Georgia, Ole Miss could make the Hurricanes one-dimensional by limiting Fletcher’s impact. While hit or miss during the regular season, the Rebels’ run defense held the Green Wave to 115 yards and the Bulldogs to 124 yards, both on 3.4 yards per carry.

Slowing down the Hurricanes’ ground game will place pressure on Beck to deliver through the air against a pass defense that ranked first in the SEC during the regular season in opposing completion percentage (56.2) and gave up only 6.4 yards per attempt.

Whether Ole Miss can protect Chambliss is likely one of the game’s deciding factors. The Rebels have given up 18 sacks in 14 games and held the Bulldogs to just three tackles for loss. The Hurricanes added five sacks against OSU and now has a Bowl Subdivision-best 46 on the year.

Chambliss is the game’s key player

Chambliss’s mobility will help. The senior is able to keep plays alive with his legs and make plays on the move, occasionally tucking and running to extend drives. He has run for 520 yards, second on the team, and eight scores.

If able to get into a rhythm, Chambliss, running back Kewan Lacey and Ole Miss will be hard to keep under wraps. One factor that played into Miami’s hands in the Cotton Bowl was Ohio State’s tendency to play at a much slower tempo than Ole Miss. The Rebels often sprint to the line as soon as a play ends and look to snap the ball soon after.

So Miami has to disrupt that rhythm by winning on first down and setting Chambliss into longer third-down conversions. But even that isn’t a sure thing. Heading into the Sugar Bowl, the senior led the SEC with a 154.3 efficiency rating on third down.

The Winnipeg Jets enter 2026 on the other end of the NHL standings from where they were beginning 2025.

Not only are the 2024-25 Presidents’ Trophy winners not in a playoff spot, but the Jets are last in the Central Division, the Western Conference and the entire NHL.

It’s like they’re taking the Presidents’ Trophy curse to another level, because their struggles have worsened since getting eliminated in the first half of last post-season.

They’re like the New York Rangers, which won the Presidents’ Trophy in 2023-24 with 114 points but won 16 fewer games last season and missed the Stanley Cup playoffs altogether.

It’s difficult to see how the Jets can salvage their season and not end up like last season’s Rangers. Flipping a switch in the second half of the season and clawing their way past eight teams in the West to earn a playoff berth is a tall task.

Now, it’s true Winnipeg is only seven points behind the Los Angeles Kings, which sit in the second wild-card spot. Crazily enough, the Jets have only one fewer victory than the Kings, but L.A. has earned five more overtime losses. So in theory, the Jets could get back into the thick of the playoff race with a strong stretch of play.

But it’s less the points deficit than the teams in front of them that’s the problem. The rest of the playoff-chasers will continue to pick up points, and even teams that only have four wins in their past 10 games – the Utah Mammoth and St. Louis Blues – have at least four more points than Winnipeg.

Given that Winnipeg is 1-6-3 in its past 10 games entering Thursday’s New Year’s Day matchup against the Toronto Maple Leafs, you can see why there’s reason for pessimism about the Jets’ chances of turning things around anytime soon.

Without 2024-25 Hart Trophy winner Connor Hellebuyck for three weeks, the Jets went 2-8-1. Even when their starting goalie returned, the Jets have gone 1-4-3 since then, with Hellebuyck recording a .894 save percentage and 2.52 goals-against average.

At this time last year, the Jets had the third-most goals per game, the fewest goals against per game and the NHL’s best power play midway through 2024-25.

Now, the Jets rank 23rd in goals-for per game, 16th in goals against per game and 16th in power-play percentage. Their penalty kill percentage is also 18th, and they’re 1-11-1 when trailing after the first period and 4-7-2 when tied after the first.

If you’d said at the start of this season that Winnipeg could have the best odds at winning the NHL’s draft lottery and selecting phenom Gavin McKenna, Jets fans would’ve laughed in your face. But here we are, and that’s exactly what’s happening so far. 

Winnipeg GM Kevin Cheveldayoff is no doubt happy he held onto his first-round draft pick this year, and adding a generational talent like McKenna or Ivar Stenberg would ease the sting of the Jets’ collapse. That said, Winnipeg fans have grown accustomed to being a year-in, year-out playoff team, qualifying for the post-season in seven of the past eight seasons. So it must be quite the shock for them to look at the standings and see the Jets slumming it at the bottom of the league.

The trip from Presidents’ Trophy-winner to the basement of the NHL is something no team expects, but it goes to show you that the parity of the league is a very real thing. One year could be a feast for a team, and the following year could be a famine. And Winnipeg’s unanticipated woes this season have them in a position they’re going to have extreme difficulty recovering from.

For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com or creating your own post in our community forum.

With the World Junior Championship well underway, fans have gotten to see some of the top available talent for the 2026 NHL Draft put their talent on full display on junior hockey’s biggest stage.

Top players like Canada’s Gavin McKenna, Sweden’s Ivar Stenberg and Latvia’s Alberts Smits have all excelled in the opening games of the tournament. With the quarterfinals taking place on Friday, the stakes will only get higher for these players looking to raise their stocks for draft day.

Considering the current NHL standings, the organizational needs of the teams positioned to select in the lottery, and how the ongoing World Junior Championship has impacted their stock, let’s look at one of many ways the top 16 picks in the draft could fall next summer.

(Draft order determined by standings, sorted by points percentage, before games on Jan. 1, 2026)

NHL mock draft: Top 16 picks

1. Winnipeg Jets: Penn State (NCAA) left wing Gavin McKenna

McKenna is tied for the lead in scoring at the world juniors with eight points through Canada’s first four games of the tournament. He recorded four primary assists in the opening two games, showcasing his playmaking creativity and overall offensive vision. He’s taken advantage of this opportunity, but with each game ultimately bringing a bigger stage than the last, he’ll have to prove he can meet the moment.

2. Chicago Blackhawks: Frolunda (Sweden) left wing Ivar Stenberg

Stenberg has recorded points in all but one of Sweden’s world junior games, but he hasn’t dominated in the way that would make him the clear-cut No. 1 pick yet. His production this season in Sweden’s top professional league is likely more indicative of the high-end talent he possesses, but there hasn’t been a true takeover game like many anticipated there would be for Stenberg on this stage just yet.

3. Vancouver Canucks: North Dakota (NCAA) defenseman Keaton Verhoeff

Verhoeff has been pretty sheltered throughout the world juniors, as expected, playing just under 15 minutes against Denmark and nine minutes against Finland after being scratched for the opening two games of Canada’s tournament. There are times when he’s looked overwhelmed, but there are also some great moments of poise, which are reasonable. He’s still been a dominant force at the NCAA level and is undoubtedly the top defender in this class for the time being.

4. St. Louis Blues: Muskegon (USHL) center Tynan Lawrence

Lawrence would be a fantastic pick at the fourth overall spot, possessing all of the tools to become a top-six center who dominates in transition and has the defensive motor that coaches love. He’s smart enough to be deployed in any on-ice situation, and he dictates the pace of play when he carries the puck. Lawrence is a complete 200-foot player who would fit strongly in the Blues’ system, which lacks center depth in its prospect pipeline.

5. Utah Mammoth: Sault Ste. Marie (OHL) defenseman Chase Reid

With Cole Hutson out of the lineup for Team USA, Chase Reid has taken on a larger role than anticipated and has continued to exceed expectations at every level he’s played in. Reid is a dynamic skater who defends with purpose and processes offense at a very high level. He’s quickly become a must-watch prospect from this class and has been on an impressive rise this season.

6. Calgary Flames: Windsor (OHL) left wing Ethan Belchetz

Belchetz is the next-best star power forward who would instantly become a fan favorite in Calgary with his tenacious play, high-end handling and hockey sense. At 6-foot-5 and 228 pounds, Belchetz has the frame of an enforcer with the vision of a playmaker, making him a one-of-a-kind prospect in this class. He’s on pace for 43 goals this season with Windsor, and there’s a case to be made that he is a top-three talent in this class.

7. New York Rangers: Jukurit (Finland) defenseman Alberts Smits

Smits is a high-end competitor who’s taken on a leadership role with Latvia at the world juniors and has thrived while defending against the best competition. He’s also taken on an incredibly heavy workload, notably playing over 26 minutes in his three-point effort against Denmark. His aggressive, puck-dominant play can sometimes work against him, but there’s no question he’s got one of the highest ceilings in this class of defenders.

8. Nashville Predators: Tappara (Finland) center Oliver Suvanto

While this selection would likely be considered a reach, Suvanto, being the best center available after Lawrence, could make him a big target for the Nashville Predators, which are in desperate need of some long-term solutions up the middle. Suvanto has been impressive at the world juniors with Finland despite seeing less ice time, putting up two goals while using his large frame to create advantages over opponents and kill plays on the defensive end.

9. Columbus Blue Jackets: Blainville-Boisbriand (QMJHL) defenseman Xavier Villeneuve

Villeneuve is a dynamic skater and overall confident offensive talent who’s been tearing up the QMJHL from the blueline with 36 points in 33 games this season. His deception, skating and shooting allow him to essentially act as a fourth forward, making him unique within this class and a highly coveted prospect on draft day. While Zach Werenski will be glued to the Blue Jackets’ top power play, Villeneuve would fit perfectly as a secondary option.

10. Seattle Kraken: Spokane (WHL) right wing Mathis Preston

The Kraken have a decent setup in the middle of the ice with Chandler Stephenson, Matty Beniers and Shane Wright, but they undoubtedly need an injection of youth on the wing. Preston is a speedy flank with a wicked shot that’s helped him heat up offensively in the WHL, putting up 13 points in his last 10 games with the Spokane Chiefs. He has all the tools to become a top-six scorer in the NHL.

11. Boston Bruins: Prince Albert (WHL) defenseman Daxon Rudolph

Outside of having comparable physical profiles, Rudolph has a lot of Charlie McAvoy in his game. The 6-foot-2, 209-pound defenseman is a smooth skater who is polished in his defensive habits and can shut down opposing players with his rangy, active stick. He’s also on pace for 34 goals and 72 points this season, but his defensive game is what may make him one of the safest, most projectable defenders in this class.

12. San Jose Sharks: Vancouver (WHL) defenseman Ryan Lin

Lin has become more assertive as an offensive threat with the Vancouver Giants, and it’s reflected in his production, leading draft-eligible defenseman in the WHL with 45 points in 37 games. That offensive dominance hasn’t affected his defensive details either, which are among the best in this class. Don’t be surprised if Lin ends up much higher on draft boards by the end of the season.

13. Boston Bruins (via Toronto): Djurgarden (Sweden) right wing Viggo Bjorck

After landing Rudolph, the Bruins could get a winger in Bjorck to play alongside James Hagens. Bjorck is tied for second in goals (3) and points (5) on a Sweden roster at the world juniors that is filled with NHL-drafted talent. He’s been dangerous on the power play while also being trusted enough to kill penalties, showing a great motor and detailed game that will translate well to the NHL level regardless of his size disadvantages.

14. Ottawa Senators: Forfeited draft pick

The Ottawa Senators must forfeit this year’s first-round draft pick for failing to disclose Evgenii Dadonov’s limited no-trade clause when they sent him to Vegas in 2021, leading to an invalidated trade between the Golden Knights and Anaheim Ducks the following season. The last time a team forfeited its first-round pick was in 2021 with the Arizona Coyotes, which violated the NHL’s combine testing policy.

15. Los Angeles Kings: Peterborough (OHL) left wing Adam Novotny

Novotny has really shown off his defensive details with Czechia at the world juniors, which would fit perfectly in the Los Angeles Kings’ system. His work along the walls and his relentless pursuit of opposing puck carriers make him a nightmare matchup for high-end players and a constant threat to cause turnovers in vulnerable areas of the ice. If he can elevate his offensive game, he could easily be a top-10 selection at this draft.

16. New Jersey Devils: Niagara (OHL) Ryan Roobroeck

Roobroeck has been heating up offensively, putting up 21 in his last 13 games since appearing in the CHL USA Prospects Challenge. His shot is among the best in this class, and he has the physical frame to gain advantages over his opponents when creating offense. Unfortunately, the game-breaking traits he possesses have only come in flashes, and he’ll have to carry this offensive streak into the second half of the season to truly be considered a lottery pick.