Game time: Fast facts, odds, keys to Michigan vs. Texas in Citrus Bowl
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No. 18 Michigan vs. No. 13 Texas
Where: Camping World Stadium
When: Wednesday, 3 p.m.
TV: ABC
Weather: TBD
Latest line: Texas by 7.5 points
Coaches: Biff Poggi is 0-0 at Michigan, 6-16 overall; Steve Sarkisian is 47-20 at Texas, 93-55 overall.
Quick slant: This is the third meeting between the two programs, which have combined for 1,992 wins and 16 national championships while producing five Heisman Trophy winners. … Michigan is winless (0-2) against the Longhorns, including a heartbreaking 38-37 loss in the 2005 Rose Bowl. Quarterback Vince Young had five total touchdowns while rallying Texas in the fourth quarter for the win.
About Michigan (9-3, 7-2 Big Ten): The Wolverines won four of their first five games before suffering a disappointing 31-13 loss at USC on Oct. 11. Michigan won its next five games, but lost to No. 1 Ohio State, 27-9, ending any thoughts of a Big Ten title and a spot in the College Football Playoff. Second-year coach Sherrone Moore was fired on Dec. 10 after a university investigation found he engaged in an inappropriate relationship with a staff member.
About Texas (9-3, 6-2 SEC): The Longhorns kicked off the season ranked as the No. 1 team in the nation, but a tough 14-7 defeat to Ohio State in their opening game sent them into a downward spiral. Texas bounced back with three consecutive victories, only to suffer another setback with a 29-21 loss to Florida. However, impressive wins against No. 6 Oklahoma and No. 9 Vanderbilt reignited the team’s aspirations, and a victory over No. 3 Texas A&M was thought to be enough to secure a spot in the Playoff. Unfortunately, that didn’t come to fruition.
3 things to watch
1. Texas will be without three of its top rushers after running backs Quintrevion Wisner, CJ Baxter and Jerrick Gibson all decided to opt out of Wednesday’s game. The Longhorns already struggled running the football this season, averaging just under 130 yards per game.
2. Michigan quarterback Bryce Underwood enters the Citrus Bowl with 2,552 yards of total offense with 14 total touchdowns and 6 interceptions. Underwood ranks eighth among true freshmen in total offense this season, behind other Power Four quarterbacks like BYU’s Bear Bachmeier and Notre Dame’s CJ Carr.
3. Texas quarterback Arch Manning’s uncle, Peyton, previously played in two Citrus Bowls, winning Most Valuable Player for the 1996 game after leading Tennessee to a 48-28 win over Northwestern.
Please find me on X, Bluesky or Instagram @osmattmurschel. Email: mmurschel@orlandosentinel.com.
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