The Michigan Wolverines are heading into the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl with a few key pieces missing - and that’s putting it lightly. With just over a week to go before their New Year’s Eve matchup against the Texas Longhorns, Michigan interim head coach Biff Poggi confirmed that three starters have officially opted out of the postseason game: defensive end Derrick Moore, linebacker Jaishawn Barham, and offensive lineman Giovanni El-Hadi.
That trio represents some serious production on both sides of the ball, and their absence is going to be felt - especially against a Texas team that’s already favored and looking to finish their season on a high note.
Let’s start with Moore. The sophomore edge rusher led the Wolverines in sacks this season with 10, and that wasn’t all - he added 30 total tackles, three pass breakups, two forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery.
He’s been a disruptive force all year, the kind of player you game plan around. Without him, Michigan’s pass rush takes a significant hit, and that’s a tough pill to swallow when you’re facing a quarterback like Arch Manning, who’s shown the ability to pick apart defenses when given time.
Barham’s absence adds to the defensive concerns. The linebacker chipped in 32 tackles, four sacks, four pass deflections, and a forced fumble during the regular season.
He’s been a steady presence in the middle of the field - a guy who can drop into coverage or come downhill and make a play in the backfield. Without him, Michigan loses one of its more versatile defenders.
And then there’s El-Hadi, who’s been one of the Wolverines’ most reliable offensive linemen in pass protection. He’s helped anchor a front that’s done a solid job keeping pressure off the quarterback, and his absence could tilt the trenches in favor of the Longhorns’ defensive front - even with Texas missing a few pieces of their own.
Speaking of Texas, they’ll be without standout linebacker Anthony Hill Jr. and safety Michael Taaffe, among others in the secondary. But the depth and overall momentum seem to favor the Longhorns heading into this one. Michigan, already dealing with coaching turnover and now key opt-outs, finds itself in a tougher spot than its opponent.
Still, Poggi struck a hopeful tone when speaking about the team’s mindset. “That’s it,” he said, referring to the trio of opt-outs.
“The team is starting to have fun playing football again.” That kind of mentality could go a long way in a bowl game where motivation often matters just as much as talent.
The stage is set: No. 13 Texas vs.
No. 18 Michigan, kicking off at 2 p.m.
CT on December 31st. The Cheez-It Citrus Bowl will air on ABC, and while the Wolverines will be without some of their top contributors, they’ll still have a chance to make a statement.
But to do that, they’ll need to dig deep - and find a way to slow down a Texas offense that’s licking its chops at the opportunity.