This New Year’s Eve, Texas football will face off against the Michigan Wolverines in the Citrus Bowl, hosted at Camping World Stadium in Orlando. Both teams completed the regular season with identical records of 9-3, positioning them just outside the 12-team College Football Playoff, with Texas finishing 13th in the final rankings and Michigan at 18th.
The Citrus Bowl has a rich history, originating as the Tangerine Bowl in 1947, making it one of college football’s oldest bowl games. Michigan will be participating in the Citrus Bowl for the seventh time since the 1998 season, while Texas prepares to make its debut at this postseason event.
An unexpected development for Michigan ahead of the matchup has been significant turnover in its coaching staff. Just days after accepting the Citrus Bowl invitation, Michigan parted ways with head coach Sherrone Moore due to serious allegations surrounding his conduct. Interim head coach Biff Poggi, who earlier guided Michigan to victories during Moore’s suspension, will lead the team against Texas.
The game will feature a matchup of prominent talent, including Michigan’s freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood, who has made headlines for his impressive performance this season with over 2,200 passing yards and notable athleticism. The Wolverines also boast a strong running game, led by all-conference players Justice Haynes and Jordan Marshall, averaging the 15th-most rushing yards in the FBS.
However, Michigan’s defense will face a setback as top pass rusher Derrick Moore has declared for the NFL Draft and will not participate in the Citrus Bowl. His absence is significant given his contribution to a defense that ranks among the best in stopping the run.
Both Texas and Michigan faced challenges against high-caliber opponents during the season, with Michigan’s losses coming against teams that reached the College Football Playoff, including a setback against then-No. 1 Ohio State in the final regular-season game.
This clash marks the third meeting between Texas and Michigan, with Texas holding a 2-0 edge in their previous encounters. The Longhorns edged Michigan in the 2005 Rose Bowl with a last-second field goal and claimed a decisive victory last season in Ann Arbor.
As both teams gear up for this exciting bowl game, fans can anticipate a thrilling matchup that not only showcases talented rosters but also the spirit of college football tradition as they ring in the New Year.