Michigan football hires Kyle Whittingham: Tony Garcia analyzes it
Michigan football hires Kyle Whittingham: Tony Garcia analyzes it
It’s time for the last Michigan football game of the year.
Michigan (9-3, tied for fourth in Big Ten) is playing the Texas Longhorns (9-3, T-5 in SEC) in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida, on Wednesday, Dec. 31. The game kicked off at 3 p.m. ET and can be found on ABC.
Michigan and Texas are tied at 3-3 late in the first quarter.
The game will cap off a busy December for the Wolverines, one that started with the team fresh off a 27-9 loss to Ohio State, continued with the firing of coach Sherrone Moore and settled with the hiring of new coach Kyle Whittingham.
Now, the Wolverines have a chance to finish with at least 10 wins in a season for the fourth time in five years and the first since former coach Jim Harbaugh left for the NFL ahead of the 2024 season.
The Wolverines have won their last three bowl games, two coming in their 2023 national championship season (a Rose Bowl win over Alabama and a CFP national championship win over Washington) and the 2024 ReliaQuest Bowl win over Alabama. With a win over Texas, Michigan will have a four-game bowl winning streak for the second time in school history (1997-2000).
We’ll have live updates from the Citrus Bowl right here:
Michigan vs Texas Citrus Bowl live updates
Texas kick returner Ryan Niblett fumbled the ball on the kickoff return, with Michigan defensive back T.J. Metcalf recovering the ball on the Texas 23-yard line.
Michigan has a good chance to take the lead.
1Q, 4:01: Michigan 3, Texas 3.
Michigan running back Bryson Kuzdzal started the drive with consecutive runs of 8, 11 and 3 yards, bringing the Wolverines to their own 47-yard line. A 2-yard gain from Michigan quarterback Bryce Underwood on 3rd-and-7 looked to end the drive, but a facemask penalty called on the Texas defense gave the Wolverines 1st-and-10 on the Texas 36-yard line.
Two plays later, however, Underwood was sacked by linebacker Elijah Barnes, bringing the Wolverines to a 3rd-and-18 on the 44. A screen pass to receiver Semaj Morgan picked up nine yards, enough to bring Michigan into field-goal range.
Michigan kicker Dominic Zvada then nailed the 53-yard field goal to tie the game.
A big stop on 3rd-and-1 from defensive lineman Damon Payne on running back Nick Townsend dropped the Texas offense into a fourth-down situation, bringing out the punt team.
Michigan quarterback Bryce Underwood began the Wolverines’ first drive with an 8-yard completion to receiver Andrew Marsh followed by a 19-yard completion to receiver Donaven McCulley, but found himself at 3rd-and-18 from the Michigan 45-yard line three plays later.
A sack by Texas edge rusher Colin Simmons then forced the Michigan punt team on the field. Texas will begin their drive with the ball on their own 22-yard line following the return.
1Q, 12:05: Texas 3, Michigan 0.
On 3rd-and-10 from the Longhorns‘ 25-yard line, Texas quarterback Arch Manning found receiver Ryan Wingo for a 22-yard completion, bringing the Longhorns near midfield. Two plays later, freshman running back Christian Clark ripped off a 22-yard run, bringing the Longhorns to the Michigan 31-yard line.
Michigan’s defense allowed Texas to go no further, however, limiting the Longhorns to a 43-yard field goal on the opening drive of the game.
Texas will receive the ball to start the game.
Michigan running back Jordan Marshall participated in pregame warmups, but is still listed as questionable ahead of kickoff.
Running back Bryson Kuzdzal, meanwhile, went first during warmups, indicating he might be the featured running back for the Wolverines today.
The odds for the Citrus Bowl have shifted a little bit in Michigan’s direction, even though Texas is still favored.
Texas, favored by 7 points at one point on Tuesday, is now favored by 5½ points before kickoff per BetMGM.
If you’re in Orlando for the Citrus Bowl, congrats on the beautiful weather.
It is currently sunny and 55℉ in Orlando with low winds and no chance of rain, per AccuWeather. Meanwhile in Detroit, it is cold and grey, but at least the violent winds from earlier this week have died down.
Even though new Michigan coach Kyle Whittingham isn’t putting on the headset today for the Wolverines, he has been with the team in Orlando in preparation for the Citrus Bowl.
He’s been spotted at the stadium, too, dressed for the sunshine.
Though senior edge rusher Derrick Moore has opted out of the Citrus Bowl, he was spotted on the sidelines in street clothes to support his team.
Moore led the team with 10 sacks in 12 games and played a role on the 2023 national championship squad. He is expected to enter the NFL Draft as one of Michigan’s top pro prospects.
Derrick Moore, captain and sack leader who’s headed to the NFL, is here on the field to support his teammates against Texas. pic.twitter.com/fOG5xBnGOn
— Tony Garcia | Detroit Free Press (@RealTonyGarcia) December 31, 2025
The availability report lists 13 players as out, including seniors Jaishawn Barham and Derrick Moore, with two more players (including running back Jordan Marshall) listed as questionable.
Michigan football availability report vs Texas ahead of the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl. No major surprises.
Jordan Marshall is questionable. pic.twitter.com/IfOhBPLjW1
— Tony Garcia | Detroit Free Press (@RealTonyGarcia) December 31, 2025
Only three Michigan players have been confirmed to have opted out of the Citrus Bowl, but the number might be higher than that at kickoff.
Interim coach Biff Poggi said in a press conference that the number “is probably more like 12 to 15 in actuality,” though he didn’t elaborate on who else could be opting out.
Biff Poggi asked about having just 3 opt outs He clarified Michigan has had some other players who have decided not to play this week based on injuries: “Our number is probably more like 12 to 15 in actuality.” pic.twitter.com/a0Bz9i2ubo
— Tony Garcia | Detroit Free Press (@RealTonyGarcia) December 30, 2025
Though starters for the game have not been announced yet, Michigan quarterback Bryce Underwood is expected to play in the Citrus Bowl against the Longhorns.
Underwood had a relatively underwhelming first year at Michigan, passing for nine touchdowns and six interceptions while rushing for another five scores over 12 games.
As the home team, the Texas Longhorns will play in their traditional burnt orange jerseys with white pants and white helmets.
Michigan, meanwhile, will wear its traditional road whites with blue helmets and maize pants.
Michigan vs Texas channel for the Citrus Bowl
The Citrus Bowl will air on ABC at 3 p.m. ET.
Kickoff: 3 p.m. ET.Channel: ABC.Streaming: Fubo.Radio: WCSX-FM (94.7 in Detroit).
Additionally, this game can be streamed on Fubo, which carries ESPN networks.
Michigan vs Texas odds, spread
The Longhorns are favored by a touchdown against the Wolverines.
Spread: Texas by 7 points.Over/under: 48½ points.Moneyline: Michigan (+250), Texas (-300).
Odds are courtesy of BetMGM as of Tuesday morning.
Michigan football 2025 scheduleWeek 1: W, 34-17 vs New Mexico.Week 2: L, 24-13 at Oklahoma.Week 3: W, 63-3 vs Central Michigan.Week 4: W, 30-27 at Nebraska.Week 5: BYE.Week 6: W, 24-10 vs Wisconsin.Week 7: L, 31-13 vs USC.Week 8: W, 24-7 vs Washington.Week 9: W, 31-20 at Michigan State.Week 10: W, 21-16 vs Purdue.Week 11: BYE.Week 12: W, 24-22 at Northwestern.Week 13: W, 45-20 at Maryland.Week 14: L, 27-9 vs Ohio State.Citrus Bowl, Dec. 31: vs Texas, 3 p.m. ET (ESPN).
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You can reach Christian at cromo@freepress.com.