Citrus Bowl Showdown: Arch Manning vs. Bryce Underwood Sets the Stage for a Must-Watch QB Duel
ORLANDO - When the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl kicks off on New Year’s Eve, all eyes will be on two of college football’s most talked-about quarterbacks: Michigan’s Bryce Underwood and Texas’ Arch Manning. It’s not just a bowl game-it’s a glimpse into the future of the sport, with two signal-callers who’ve taken very different paths to the same spotlight.
Let’s start with Underwood. The No. 1 overall recruit in the 2025 class didn’t just live up to the hype-he took it head-on.
As a true freshman, he earned the starting job in Ann Arbor and helped lead the Wolverines to a nine-win season. That’s no small feat in the Big Ten, especially for a quarterback adjusting to the speed and complexity of the college game.
Underwood threw for 2,229 yards and tallied 14 total touchdowns-nine through the air, five with his legs-showing off the dual-threat versatility that made him such a coveted prospect.
On the other sideline, Arch Manning’s journey has been more of a slow burn. After two years of development, the Texas quarterback stepped into the starting role in Year 3, and he’s made the most of it. Manning’s thrown for 2,942 yards and 24 touchdowns this season, displaying the poise and polish that come from growing up around the game-and then putting in the work to make the name his own.
Ahead of the bowl matchup, both head coaches took time to praise the opposing quarterback, and what stood out was the mutual respect-not just for the talent, but for the maturity and leadership both players bring to the table.
Michigan interim head coach Biff Poggi on Arch Manning:
Poggi didn’t hold back when asked about Manning. “He’s everything they say he is,” Poggi said. “The way he’s carried himself under that spotlight-it’s pretty amazing.”
And let’s be honest: Manning’s name alone brings a level of scrutiny few college athletes ever experience. Poggi acknowledged that, pointing out how the media and fans can swing from extremes-building players up, then tearing them down at the first sign of struggle. But in Manning’s case, he sees a steady, grounded leader who can do it all.
“He can make all the throws. He’s intelligent.
He can run. He’s a real problem for a defense,” Poggi added.
That last line says it all. Coming from a defensive-minded coach, calling a quarterback “a real problem” is about as high a compliment as it gets.
Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian on Bryce Underwood:
Sarkisian, a former quarterback himself, knows how tough it is to succeed at this level-especially as a freshman. “It’s really hard to play quarterback at this level,” he said.
“To do it as a true freshman and do it at a high level? That’s rare.”
Sarkisian pointed out the contrast between the two quarterbacks’ timelines-Manning in Year 3, Underwood just getting started-but emphasized that both are among the most compelling figures in the college game right now. And while the outside world might focus on NIL deals, media narratives, or family legacies, Sarkisian sees something simpler and more important: two young men who love the game and carry themselves with humility.
At a recent team event at an Orlando amusement park, both quarterbacks were spotted just being kids-laughing, riding rides, and hanging out with local youth. “They’re not bigger than what people want to make them out to be,” Sarkisian said. “They’re humble, they’re working hard, and they’re trying to get better.”
What This Matchup Means
This game isn’t just about stats or résumés. It’s about two quarterbacks who represent the next wave of college football.
Underwood is the electric newcomer who’s already proving he belongs. Manning is the legacy name who’s carving out his own identity with each throw.
And when they meet on the field in Orlando, it’s going to be more than a bowl game-it’s a showcase of what’s next for the sport.
Both coaches see it. The fans know it.
And come New Year’s Eve, the Citrus Bowl will be the stage where two of college football’s brightest young stars go head-to-head. Get your popcorn ready.