Orlando Heartbreak: Three Takeaways From Michigan’s Gritty Loss To Texas In The Citrus Bowl
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ORLANDO, Fla. — The 80th edition of the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl delivered exactly the kind of heavyweight clash college football fans craved to close out 2025. While the scoreboard at Camping World Stadium ultimately favored the No. 13 Texas Longhorns in a 41–27 victory, the No. 18 Michigan Wolverines proved they aren't going into the offseason without a fight.
In a game that featured 17–17 halftime deadlock and a brief fourth-quarter Michigan lead, the narrative was as much about the future of these two blue-blood programs as it was about the trophy. Here are three major takeaways from Michigan’s hard-fought New Year’s Eve loss.
1. The Bryce Underwood Era has Officially Arrived
If there was any doubt about who should lead the Michigan offense in 2026, Bryce Underwood silenced it. The true freshman phenom, thrust into the spotlight amidst a season of coaching turmoil, showed exactly why he was the nation's top recruit. Despite a late turnover meltdown, he showed he has the ability to lead this team.
Underwood finished the day with over 300 total yards, including a highlight-reel 33-yard scramble that set up a touchdown pass to fellow freshman Andrew Marsh. His ability to extend plays against a ferocious Texas pass rush led by Colin Simmons kept the Wolverines in the game. While two late interceptions—products of a freshman trying to do too much in a 10-point hole—stained the stat sheet, the "it" factor was undeniable. Underwood’s chemistry with Marsh provides a foundational pillar for the incoming staff to build upon.
2. Arch Manning’s Poise Was the Difference-Maker
While Underwood provided the fireworks, Arch Manning provided the polish. In a duel between two of the most-hyped quarterback prospects of the decade, Manning’s veteran-like composure (now a seasoned sophomore) won the day.
When Michigan took a 27–24 lead early in the fourth quarter, Manning didn't blink. He orchestrated two clinical scoring drives, punctuated by a 13-yard strike to Parker Livingstone and a back-breaking 23-yard touchdown run of his own. Manning accounted for four total touchdowns, showcasing a mastery of Steve Sarkisian’s system that Michigan simply couldn't disrupt consistently. The Longhorns’ ability to execute under pressure in the final ten minutes was the ultimate separator between a 9-win team and a potential top-10 finisher.
3. A Program in Transition: The Whittingham Inheritance
This game was played under the shadow of the Sherrone Moore firing and the subsequent hiring of Kyle Whittingham. Interim coach Biff Poggi deserves immense credit for keeping the locker room together over the last three weeks, but the Citrus Bowl highlighted exactly what Whittingham is inheriting.
Michigan’s defense remains stout—holding the Texas run game in check for three quarters—but the secondary depth was exploited late. Whittingham, known for his "toughness-first" culture at Utah, will find a roster that has the "toughness" in spades but lacks the offensive structure to support a young superstar QB. The "hard-fought" nature of this loss suggests the culture hasn't crumbled, but the 14-point margin reminds the Michigan faithful that there is a significant gap to close before returning to the College Football Playoff conversation.
Final Score:
- Texas: 41
- Michigan: 27
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