Texas vs. Michigan: Time, Date, TV Channel, 2025 Citrus Bowl Preview
It’s bowl season, which means we have a lot of football to watch between Dec. 13 and Jan. 19! Ohio State, Utah, Georgia Southern, Army, Texas A&M — and just about everyone in between — will take part in a total of 47 games that will ultimately conclude with the 2026 CFP National Championship.
NESN has you covered with previews for each and every game — with our next contest being one of bowl season’s staples:
2025 Cheez-It Citrus Bowl
Matchup: Texas Longhorns vs. Michigan Wolverines
Date: Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025
Kickoff: 3 p.m. ET
Stadium: Camping World Stadium — Orlando, Fla.
TV: ABC
Game Overview
The Citrus Bowl has been played across nearly every level of major college football, being played every single season since 1947 under different names like the Tangerine Bowl (1947-1982), Florida Citrus Bowl (1983-2002) and Capital One Bowl (2003-2014).
Chris Collinsworth (1980), Peyton Manning (1997), Fred Taylor (1998), Plaxico Burress (2000) and Matthew Stafford (2009) are just a few of the notable names who have taken home the game’s MVP.
Texas and Michigan will look to add someone to that list on Wednesday.
Team Overviews
Texas Longhorns
Conference: SEC
Head Coach: Steve Sarkisian
Record: 9–3
Texas will be without seven of its top defenders in terms of snap count in this one, with defensive linemen Trey Moore and Ethan Burke, defensive backs Michael Taaffe, Malik Muhammad and Jaylon Guilbeau, and linebacker Anthony Hill Jr. all opting out of the contest.
The Longhorns will also be without running backs Quintrevion Wisner, CJ Baxter and Jerrick Gibson.
Yikes!
Steve Sarkisian has his work cut out for him, but so does his opponent.
Michigan Wolverines
Conference: Big Ten
Head Coach: Biff Poggi (Interim)
Record: 9–3
Michigan is undergoing significant change, having fired head coach Sherrone Moore due to having “credible evidence” that he engaged in an inappropriate relationship with a staff member, tabbed Biff Poggi as the interim head coach and hired former Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham as the eventual replacement for 2026.
The Wolverines are in decent shape when it comes to opt outs and injuries, however.
Bryce Underwood is expected to start at quarterback, with the entire team making the trip for the game — save for defensive lineman Derrick Moore, linebacker Jaishawn Barham and offensive lineman Giovanni El-Hadi.
Players to Watch
Texas
QB Arch Manning
RB Christian Clark
RB James Simon
WR Ryan Wingo
TE Jack Endries
DL Colin Simmons
DB Jelani McDonald
Michigan
QB Bryce Underwood
RB Jordan Marshall
RB Justice Haynes
WR Andrew Marsh
LB Jaishawn Barham
LB Cole Sullivan
Key Notes
Michigan offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey left to take the same job at Missouri, with co-offensive coordinator and tight ends coach Steve Casula set to call plays in the Citrus Bowl.
Betting Lines
DraftKings Sportsbook: Texas -7.5 | O/U 47.5
FanDuel Sportsbook: Texas -7.5 | O/U 48.5
BetMGM Sportsbook: Texas -7.5 | O/U 48.5
The Pick: Michigan +7.5