Citrus Bowl Preview: Texas Eyes Redemption, Michigan Faces Turmoil in High-Stakes New Year’s Eve Clash
Texas didn’t get the ending it wanted in 2025. After back-to-back College Football Playoff appearances, the Longhorns found themselves on the outside looking in this time around.
The Arch Manning era, which came with sky-high expectations, didn’t deliver a CFP berth in Year One. But the season isn’t over just yet-and Texas still has one more chance to make a statement before the offseason carousel starts spinning.
That opportunity comes on New Year’s Eve in Orlando, where the Longhorns will square off against Michigan in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl at Camping World Stadium. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m.
CT, and while it’s not a playoff game, it’s far from a meaningless bowl. There’s plenty on the line for both programs-Texas looking to finish strong and build momentum, Michigan trying to hold it together amid serious internal shakeups.
Let’s start with the Wolverines.
Michigan enters the matchup 9-3 and ranked No. 18 in the final AP Poll-a noticeable step forward from last year’s 8-5 campaign, which marked the beginning of the post-Harbaugh era. But this season was anything but smooth.
The biggest headline was the debut of Bryce Underwood, the No. 1 overall recruit in the 2025 class. Michigan didn’t ease him in-they threw him into the fire and let him learn on the fly.
The results? A rollercoaster ride.
The Wolverines opened the season with a 1-1 split-beating New Mexico State before taking a 24-13 loss to Oklahoma. From there, they rattled off three straight wins, including a gritty road victory at Nebraska and a solid performance against Wisconsin. But then came a humbling 31-13 loss at USC, a game that made it clear Michigan wasn’t quite ready to sit at the big-boy table just yet.
Still, credit where it’s due: Michigan didn’t let that loss spiral. The Wolverines bounced back with five straight wins to climb to 9-2 heading into their annual rivalry showdown with Ohio State.
Michigan had dominated that series in recent years, but this time the Buckeyes flipped the script with a convincing 27-9 win in Ann Arbor. That loss didn’t just sting-it sent Michigan into bowl season with more questions than answers.
And now, the biggest question of all: who’s really steering the ship?
Michigan’s coaching situation is in flux. Sherrone Moore is out, dismissed with cause after two seasons, and Biff Poggi steps in as interim head coach for the Citrus Bowl. That kind of disruption-combined with expected roster turnover-makes this a real test of leadership and locker room resolve.
Meanwhile, Texas has its own motivations. Missing the CFP was a disappointment, no doubt.
But this is a team with talent, pride, and a young quarterback in Arch Manning who’s looking to end his debut season on a high note. The Longhorns have a chance to use this bowl game as a tone-setter for 2026-a way to turn the page and remind everyone that they’re still a force to be reckoned with.
The key for Texas? Come out swinging.
Michigan’s in a vulnerable spot, and the Longhorns need to treat this like the playoff game they didn’t get. That means intensity from the first snap, clean execution, and a mindset that says, “We’re not here to coast-we’re here to dominate.”
This one may not have playoff implications, but don’t let that fool you. There’s plenty at stake in Orlando.
For Michigan, it’s about proving they can weather the storm. For Texas, it’s about finishing what they started-and making sure the Arch Manning era doesn’t end its first chapter with a whimper.
New Year’s Eve. Two proud programs.
One chance to end the season on their terms. Buckle up.