The 2025 Cheez-It Citrus Bowl features the 9-3 Michigan Wolverines and the 9-3 Texas Longhorns. Here is the 2025 Cheez-It Citrus Bowl Preview.
Michigan Wolverines
Michigan won nine games to qualify for their fifth-straight bowl game. They defeated five bowl-eligible teams this season: New Mexico, Central Michigan, Nebraska, Washington and Northwestern. All three of their losses were to bowl-eligible teams: Oklahoma, USC and Ohio State. Head coach Sherrone Moore was fired after the season and Biff Poggi is the interim coach.
The Wolverines score 27.6 points per game, ranking 70th in the nation. They pass for 185.8 yards (ranked 105th) and rush for 213.2 yards (ranked 15th) per game.
Bryce Underwood has started at quarterback as a freshman for the Wolverines. He has passed for 2,229 yards, nine touchdowns and six interceptions on 61.1 percent completion. Four receivers have over 200 yards on the season for the Wolverines. Andrew Marsh leads the team with 641 receiving yards and three touchdowns.
Four players have over 200 rushing yards on the season. Jordan Marshall has been the team’s leading rusher with 932 yards and 10 touchdowns. Justice Haynes is the second-leading rusher, but he will likely miss the game with an injury. Underwood and Bryson Kuzdzal have chipped in this season with 323 and 244 rushing yards, respectively.
Defensively, Michigan allows 18.67 points per game, tying them for 17th in the country. They concede 101.7 rushing yards (ranked 14th) and 210.6 yards (ranked 52nd) per game. Jimmy Rolder leads the team with 69 total tackles. Derrick Moore paces the team with 10 sacks. Zeke Barry has made plays on the ball in the secondary with 10 passes defended and one interception.
Texas Longhorns
The Longhorns won nine games to make their fourth-straight bowl game. They defeated three bowl-eligible teams this season: Oklahoma, Vanderbilt and Texas A&M. One of their three losses was to a team that didn’t make a bowl game: Florida.
Texas scores 29.6 points per game, ranking 51st in the country. They pass for 253.2 yards (ranked 42nd) and rush for 129.7 yards (ranked 101st) per game.
Arch Manning improved during his first season as a starter, but still didn’t live up to sky-high expectations. He passed for 2,942 yards, 24 touchdowns and seven interceptions on 61.4 percent completion. Five pass-catchers have over 300 yards on the season. Ryan Wingo has been the leading receiver this season with 770 yards and seven touchdowns.
Quintrevion Wisner has been the lead running back on a team that has struggled with running the ball. He has rushed for 597 yards and three touchdowns. Manning has helped from his quarterback position with 244 rushing yards and eight touchdowns.
The Longhorns’ defense allows 19.75 points per game, ranking 24th in the country. They give up 98.1 rushing yards (ranked 10th) and 237.6 passing yards (ranked 100th) per game. Jelani McDonald leads the team with 73 total tackles. Collin Simmons has been impressive, getting after the passer with 11 sacks. Graceson Littleton has made plays on the ball with five passes defended and two interceptions.
Prediction
Both teams will likely have plenty of players missing. With the turmoil around the Michigan program right now, it will be hard to focus. With Manning playing better down the stretch of the season, the Longhorns should be able to close the season out with a solid win.
Texas Longhorns 31 Michigan Wolverines 14
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