There are a handful of matchups this bowl season featuring the first-ever matchups between two teams. The Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl is no different. The Miami (OH) Redhawks from the MAC get to take on the Fresno State Bulldogs in their final game as members of the Mountain West Conference. The Arizona Bowl hasn’t been around for too long, but it’s changed sponsors a few times. Thankfully, the bowl switched from its previous sponsor because the Barstool Broadcast was near unwatchable.
Let’s get into it!
The Arizona Bowl Features the First Matchup Between Miami (OH) and Fresno State
The Redhawks won the MAC in 2023 and have since returned to Detroit for the MAC Championship in each of the last two seasons. However, like last year, Miami fell short. At 7-6, the Redhawks struggled a bit, but were able to get back to Ford Field thanks to a handful of tiebreakers. The season started with three straight losses out of conference. Then, Chuck Martin’s squad rattled off five wins in a row before falling in back-to-back weeks to Ohio and Toledo. Miami was able to win the final two games before losing to Western Michigan in the MAC Championship, 23-13.
Miami is returning to the Arizona Bowl for its second-ever appearance. Last year, the Redhawks dismantled Colorado State in this game.
As for the Bulldogs, they kicked off the year with a big loss to Kansas before rattling off five in a row as well. In the final six games, Fresno State split with its MWC foes, landing the season-long record at 8-4. In its final season in the MWC, Fresno State had its fair share of blowout wins and blowout losses.
This matchup marks the first game against Miami (OH) and the first time the Bulldogs play in the Arizona Bowl.
Tracking Transfers And Opt-Outs
According to 247Sports‘ transfer tracker, Miami will be without five players in this game (though there are a few more who have individually announced; 247Sports and other major services tend to overlook Group of 6 programs). Most notably of whom is EDGE Adam Trick. The senior led the way with 12.5 tackles for loss, eight-and-a-half sacks, four pass breakups, and three forced fumbles.
For Fresno State, there are also five players planning on hitting the portal. However, none of the group has made much of an impact on the Bulldogs this year.
When Miami Has The Ball
So, it’s been an interesting year for the Redhawks’ offense. DeQuan Finn transferred in from Baylor and took over the starting job. Then, after eight games of not quite playing up to what MAC fans were accustomed to, he just left the program. So, as of the middle of November, it’s been between Thomas Gotkowski and Henry Hesson. Gotkowski got the start in the MAC Championship, but Hesson came in at the half. Neither quarterback was able to really provide a spark.
The leading receiver of the year was Kamryn Perry, but he’s hitting the portal. Cole Weaver led the way with 43 receptions, so he will be the one either quarterback will look to. Miami’s leading rusher is Jordan Brunson. He will need to take advantage of the power vacuum to help the Redhawks in this one.
Miami comes into this game with the 75th-ranked rushing offense, 87th-ranked scoring offense, 98th-ranked total offense, and 101st-ranked passing offense.
Fresno State has a few stars on the defensive side of the ball. In the secondary, safety Simeon Harris led the MWC with five interceptions. Fresno State is his third stop in four years. In his sophomore season, he broke out for Utah State before redshirting in 2024 and transferring to Fresno. Up front, it was graduate senior and Drake transfer, Finn Claypool. He led the way with 10 tackles for loss and six-and-a-half sacks on the year.
The Bulldogs have the eighth-best passing defense, 14th-best total defense, 25th-best scoring defense, and 42nd-best rushing defense.
When Fresno State Has The Ball
This may be a game in which Fresno State will struggle to move the ball. At quarterback, journeyman E.J. Warner leads the way. He led the Mountain West after completing 69.4% of his passes…but, for the fourth straight year across three different teams, Warner led his conference in interceptions. This year, it was 11, bringing his four-year total to 48. Of Warner’s 1,811 yards on the year, 499 went to Josiah Freeman. The senior wideout scored six touchdowns on the year, and four came via back-to-back two-touchdown performances.
On the ground, the Bulldogs are led by a two-headed rushing attack of Rayshon Luke and Bryson Donelson. Combined, the two backs enter the postseason with 1,268 yards and 11 touchdowns on the ground.
Fresno State’s offense rolls into the Arizona Bowl with the 55th-ranked rushing offense, 77th-ranked scoring offense, 93rd-ranked total offense, and 114th-ranked passing offense.
Defensively, Miami has been solid for a MAC team. It boasts a pair of 100-tackle defenders in safety Eli Blakey and linebacker Jackson Kuwatch. Blakey comes into this one with 105 tackles, four-and-a-half tackles for loss, one sack, two interceptions, eight pass breakups, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery. Kuwatch is the top defender playing in this one, with Trick leaving. He amassed 101 tackles, nine-and-a-half tackles for loss, five sacks, and one pass breakup. The back half of the Redhawks’ defense gets after the ball. As a unit, Miami has forced 14 interceptions in 13 games. In five games, the Redhawks forced two interceptions.
The Redhawks have the 31st-best total defense, 37th-best passing defense, 39th-best rushing defense, and 44th-best scoring defense.
Last Word on the Arizona Bowl
We’ve tried to call our shot in previous previews, but the way these two teams line up, taking the under seems like the best decision. Neither of these offenses has had much success for various reasons. Both of these defenses have been impressive throughout the season. These MWC vs MAC matchups tend to skew in the way of the MWC, and this one does not look too different. However, if Miami can take advantage of the Bulldogs’ mistakes, it can prevail.
Bottom Line on the Arizona Bowl
Where: Casino Del Sol Stadium, Tucson, Arizona
History: No previous meetings
Date and Time: December 27, 4:30 p.m. EST
How to Watch: The CW
Spread: Fresno State -4.5; O/U 41.5 (via FanDuel)
