Texas brings a superior passing game and a run-stopping defense into the Citrus Bowl. Michigan leans on its ground attack. Strength vs. strength on New Year's Eve.
Texas enters the Citrus Bowl with a stronger passing attack and a defense built to stop Michigan's strength. Can the Longhorns flip disappointment into dominance?
Texas might've missed the College Football Playoff, but the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl still delivers a marquee showdown: the Longhorns vs. the Michigan Wolverines, the 2023 national champions.
And when you stack the numbers side by side, this matchup is far more intriguing than the final rankings suggest, especially for a Texas team that surged late in the season.
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The headline battle is a quarterback duel between two former five-star phenoms with Arch Manning vs. Bryce Underwood.
Manning's season started rocky, weighed down by the massive expectations that have followed him for years, but he found his rhythm down the stretch.
He closed the regular season with 33 total touchdowns - 24 passing, eight rushing, and even one receiving - along with 2,942 yards and just seven interceptions.
In three of his last five outings, Manning topped 300 yards and three touchdowns, finally looking like the star Texas hoped he'd be.
Underwood, the No. 1 recruit in the 2025 class, knows that pressure too - and he’s still finding his footing.
Michigan's freshman posted 2,229 passing yards, nine touchdowns, and six interceptions, flashes of brilliance mixed with inconsistency. The Citrus Bowl offers him one last chance to show why he arrived as a program-saving prospect.
If the Longhorns have a clear edge, it's at receiver. Michigan's duo of Andrew Marsh (641 yards, 3 TDs) and Donaven McCulley (534 yards, 3 TDs) can move the chains, but Texas counters with firepower.
Ryan Wingo posted 770 yards and seven TDs, DeAndre Moore tallied 532 yards with four TDs and Parker Livingstone registered 491 yards and six TDs.
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Texas' receivers have had drops and inconsistency, but their ceiling is undeniably higher ... a problem for a Michigan secondary that hasn't been tested like this often in Big Ten play.
Where Michigan pushes back is on the ground.
The Wolverines boast one of the nation's most balanced rushing attacks with Jordan Marshall and Justice Haynes, who combined for a staggering 1,789 yards and 20 touchdowns.
Add Underwood’s legs - five rushing scores - and Michigan brings layered threats to the line of scrimmage.
Texas will counter with Quintrevion Wisner (597 yards, 3 TDs) and Manning’s underrated athleticism (244 yards, 8 TDs). But this matchup likely hinges on whether the Longhorns' front can hold up.
The good news for Texas fans?
The defense actually matches up well. Texas is ninth in the SEC in total defense but third against the run, perfectly aligned to disrupt Michigan's preferred style.
Michigan's defense is similarly stingy against the run, ranking third in the Big Ten, but Texas' passing advantage may be the ultimate separator.
Two teams built differently but evenly matched collide on New Year's Eve at 2 p.m. CT ... and whichever identity holds truest will walk away with a Citrus Bowl statement win.