Can Fresno State have an exciting game in a bowl season that has been largely ho-hum?

The good news is the Bulldogs play Miami. The bad news is it’s Miami of Ohio — runner-up in the Mid-American Conference.

The opponent may not make the Arizona Bowl exciting, but the sponsor does — Snoop Dogg. Gimmicks and celebrity tie-ins may be the only things keeping the lesser bowls interesting.

The Bulldogs left the rainy gloom of Fresno on Christmas Eve afternoon for sunnier skies in Tucson. Kickoff temperature is expected to be cloudy in the mid-60s.

It’s been a quiet bowl prep period. Fresno State has not held any in-person media availabilities or open practices since the San Jose State regular-season finale.

Who will start at quarterback? It could be senior E.J. Warner in his final game. It could be Carson Conklin, who could use the experience heading into the 2026 season. Both are listed as QB1 in the Bulldogs’ game notes.

Rayshon “Speedy” Luke returns to Tucson, where he played for the University of Arizona from 2022 to 2024. He also reunites with Snoop Dogg. Luke played in a Southern California youth league sponsored by Snoop.

The Bowl Experience

Last week, Santa Snoop Dogg presented the Bulldogs with an early Christmas gift — boomboxes for the entire team.

The players should expect a fun experience. Miami arrived Tuesday. KGUN in Tucson reported the team hotel features player-only rooms stocked with food, arcade games, and a barber.

Fresno State will practice at local sports facility on Christmas afternoon.

Both teams will have a private party on Christmas night.

Special delivery 🎁

Big thank you to @theARIZONABOWL and @BumpBoxx 🔊 pic.twitter.com/7vqKZUGuSh

— Fresno State Football (@FresnoStateFB) December 19, 2025

Davis Leaving

Safety Jayden Davis announced he will enter the transfer portal, which officially opens Jan. 2, 2026. The Fresno native and Bullard High School alumnus has one year of eligibility remaining as a graduate transfer.

Davis played in all 12 games this season, starting once — the opener at Kansas — after starting 11 games in 2024. He recorded 37 tackles, one sack and one interception.

Other Bulldogs announcing transfer intentions include backup defensive lineman Isiah Chala, a sophomore from San Francisco who played five games this season; and backup defensive back RL Miller, also a sophomore from San Francisco, who played nine games with six tackles and one pass breakup.

About the RedHawks

The RedHawks are playing in the Arizona Bowl for the second consecutive season. They defeated Colorado State 43-17 last year.

Miami has had a roller-coaster 2025 season. The RedHawks lost their first three games, including a 41-38 heartbreaker to UNLV. They won five straight midseason games, including their first four MAC contests. They lost the next two, then won two straight to reach the MAC title game before falling to Western Michigan.

The stat sheet shows offensive similarities. Both teams are nearly even in points, total yards per game, and quarterback uncertainty.

Redshirt freshman Thomas Gotkowski began the season as the team’s third-string quarterback. Dequan Finn started as QB1 before bowing out in mid-November to prepare for the NFL Draft. Henry Hesson was next, before Gotkowski took over and started the final two games.

Gotkowski completed 50% of his passes for 503 yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions.

Kam Perry is Miami’s leading receiver with 966 yards on 42 catches. Jordan Brunson leads the RedHawks with 742 rushing yards, averaging 4.7 yards per carry.

The RedHawks’ 40 sacks rank fifth nationally. Defensive lineman Adam Trick leads the team with 8.5.

Trick has reportedly entered the transfer portal and is no longer listed on Miami’s roster.

Miami’s defense has forced 14 interceptions, ranking 18th nationally. Fresno State’s 19 interceptions rank fifth.

Chuck Martin is in his 12th season as head coach. Miami bills itself as the “Cradle of Coaches,” boasting alumni such as Paul Brown, Bo Schembechler, and Woody Hayes.

An NIT-Like Tournament?

The College Football Playoff has made the other bowl games — and conference championships, for that matter — largely irrelevant.

There were reports this year that the L.A. Bowl may be nearing its end. And who knew Boca Raton had a bowl game — or a football stadium?

The playoff needs tweaking. Two Group of Five teams — Tulane and James Madison — were absolute embarrassments. Notre Dame not receiving an invitation, then rejecting any other bowl, is a black eye.

My suggestion: The top 11 teams get in, regardless of conference championships. The final spot goes to the highest-ranked Group of Five champion, provided it’s ranked in the Top 25.

Under this system, Notre Dame is in, James Madison plays in Boca, and the world is a better place.

College football should also institute a secondary elimination tournament, similar to the NIT in basketball. An eight-team field would include the remaining four Group of Five champions and the next four highest-ranked teams.

The seven games could be played at home sites or existing bowl locations.

Fresno State would have a real shot in that system — and would be playing for something meaningful.

Other than a photo op with Snoop Dogg in the Arizona Bowl, of course.