Miami (OH) vs. Fresno State Opt-Out Tracker, Transfers, Injuries, Starting Lineups, Best Bet for Snoop Dawg Arizona Bowl
The Miami (OH) RedHawks will take on the Fresno State Bulldogs in the Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl on Saturday afternoon in Tucson. Jack Borovitz analyzes this Miami (OH) vs. Fresno State transfer portal and opt-out tracker for Saturday, December 27th in the Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl.
Jack Borovitz - December 27, 2025, 3:00 PM EST
5 Minute ReadMiami (OH) vs. Fresno State Preview: Who Is Opting-Out, Injured for Snoop Dogg Bowl on Saturday, December 27th
The Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl brings Miami (OH) back to Tucson as defending champions, but the RedHawks return under vastly different circumstances. After dominating Colorado State 43-17 last December to claim their first bowl win since 2021, Miami now navigates this matchup without starting quarterback Dequan Finn and star receiver Kam Perry, both lost to the transfer portal. Losing someone like Perry, who has 966 receiving yards and six touchdowns this season, will fundamentally alter an already struggling air game.
Fresno State enters as 5.5-point favorites after the line opened at -3.5, reflecting market confidence in the Bulldogs' elite pass defense against Miami's depleted receiving corps. The total sits at 40.5 , one of the lowest remaining in bowl season, signaling expectations of a defensive slugfest between two top-50 scoring defenses. This marks the first-ever meeting between the programs, with both teams bringing contrasting late-season momentum into Arizona Stadium.
Miami limped into the MAC Championship Game and absorbed a 23-13 loss to Western Michigan, with quarterback uncertainty plaguing the offense throughout. Fresno State, meanwhile, snapped a five-game bowl winning streak with a double-overtime loss to Northern Illinois in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl. The Bulldogs' defense remains their calling card, ranking 8th nationally in pass defense and 4th in takeaways with 24. Against a Miami offense breaking in new pass-catchers, that opportunistic secondary could feast.
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Miami (OH) vs. Fresno State Date, Time, and Where to Watch Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl
- Date: Saturday, December 27, 2025
- Time: 4:30 PM ET
- How to Watch: The CW Network
Miami (OH) vs. Fresno State Odds
Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl | Odds |
|---|---|
Miami OH +5.5 (-112) | Fresno State -5.5 (-112) |
Miami OH ML (+170) | Fresno State ML (-205) |
Over 40.5 Total Points | Under 40.5 Total Points |
Click here for the latest Miami (OH) vs. Fresno State Odds
Miami (OH) vs. Fresno State Opt-Outs Tracker & Injuries
Miami (OH) Transfer Portal Departures
- Starting WR Kam Perry (led nation in yards per catch; nearly 1,000 yards; traveled with team)
- Starting DE Adam Trick (best defensive player; will not play)
- Starting CB Mychal Yharbrough (591 snaps)
- Starting RT Drew Terrill (best OL)
- CB Luke Evans (175 snaps)
- LS Hudson Powell
Miami (OH) Injuries
- QB Dequan Finn left the program
- LB Corban Hondru (missed final two games)
- RB Kenny Tracy (out for year after five games)
Miami (OH) Quarterback Situation Henry Hesson, a fifth-year senior, took over after Finn's departure and started games against Buffalo, Ball State, and Western Michigan. Thomas Gotkowski also saw significant action before exiting the MAC Championship Game with injury. Chuck Martin is expected to start Thomas Gotkowski, assuming he has recovered from his injury
Fresno State Transfer Portal
- S Jayden Davis (285 snaps)
Fresno State Injuries
- S Ryan Wilson (missed finale)
- DT Martin Owusu (last played in Week 10; 286 snaps)
- LB K'Vion Thunderbird (last played in Week 7; 302 snaps)
Fresno State Bowl Situation
The Bulldogs enter relatively healthy and intact compared to Miami's roster turnover. First-year head coach Matt Entz has kept portal exits minimal despite the coaching transition from Tim Skipper's interim tenure.
Miami (OH) vs. Fresno State Odds Breakdown - Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl
Fresno State's defensive strength creates the clearest mismatch in this contest. The Bulldogs' secondary, led by cornerback Al'zillion Hamilton (4 interceptions) and nickel Simeon Harris (5 interceptions, tops in Mountain West), will face a Miami receiving corps without its most dangerous weapon. Perry's 23 yards per catch stretched defenses vertically all season, without that threat, the RedHawks become predictable. Cole Weaver steps into the primary receiver role, but he's never commanded the volume or explosive plays Perry generated.
Miami's quarterback uncertainty compounds the problem. Neither Hesson nor Gotkowski offers proven production against quality competition. Hesson threw three interceptions against Toledo in his first extended action, while Gotkowski has completed just 50% of his passes across limited attempts. Against Fresno State's ballhawking secondary that forces nearly one interception per game, mistakes will come quickly if Miami tries to establish rhythm through the air.
The RedHawks' best path to covering involves their ground game. Running back Jordan Brunson (724 yards) and bruising goal-line back D'Shawntae Jones (7 TDs) give Miami physicality, and the offensive line's size can create push against Mountain West defenses. But Fresno State ranks inside the top-60 nationally against the run and has held opponents to under 21 points per game all season. Miami will need to dominate time of possession and win the field position battle to keep this within the number.
The market moved this line for a reason. Opening at Fresno State -3.5, sharp action pushed it to settle at -5.5. That movement reflects confidence in the Bulldogs' defensive advantage overwhelming Miami's offensive limitations. The low total of 41.5 suggests both sides expect field goals to outnumber touchdowns, which favors the team with better special teams execution and defensive takeaway potential — both categories tilting toward Fresno State.
Miami (OH) vs. Fresno State Best Bet
- Pick: Fresno State -5.5 (-110) Check out these best odds on DraftKings Sportsbook
This matchup favors the more complete team with fewer question marks. Fresno State's defensive secondary will pressure Miami's inexperienced quarterbacks into mistakes, while the Bulldogs' offense, led by E.J. Warner's efficient management, should generate enough scoring to cover against a RedHawks defense missing its offensive support. Miami's ground game keeps them competitive, but without Perry's explosive capability and with quarterback uncertainty, the RedHawks lack the offensive firepower to match Fresno State's defensive dominance. The line movement confirms sharp money backing the Bulldogs, and laying less than a touchdown with the superior defense is the right side in Tucson.
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