Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian walks into the stadium ahead of the Citrus Bowl against the Michigan Wolverines at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida, Dec. 31, 2025.
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Texas Longhorns wide receiver Ryan Wingo (1) warms up ahead of the Citrus Bowl against the Michigan Wolverines at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida, Dec. 31, 2025.
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Fans cast shadows on a “Cheez-it” tunnel ahead of the Citrus Bowl against the Michigan Wolverines at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida, Dec. 31, 2025. The snack brand is the premiere sponsor of the bowl game.
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Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) walks into the stadium ahead of the Citrus Bowl against the Michigan Wolverines at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida, Dec. 31, 2025.
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The Texas cheer team enter the stadium ahead of the Citrus Bowl against the Michigan Wolverines at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida, Dec. 31, 2025.
Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman
Texas Longhorns wide receiver Parker Livingstone (13) hands his gloves to young fans as he warms up ahead of the Citrus Bowl against the Michigan Wolverines at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida, Dec. 31, 2025.
Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman
A fan films the team as they walk into the stadium ahead of the Citrus Bowl against the Michigan Wolverines at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida, Dec. 31, 2025.
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Texas mascot Bevo on the sidelines ahead of the Citrus Bowl against the Michigan Wolverines at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida, Dec. 31, 2025.
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Texas Longhorns quarterback Karle “Kj” Lacey Jr. (8) warms up ahead of the Citrus Bowl against the Michigan Wolverines at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida, Dec. 31, 2025.
Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman
Texas Longhorns quarterback Karle “Kj” Lacey Jr. (8) warms up ahead of the Citrus Bowl against the Michigan Wolverines at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida, Dec. 31, 2025.
Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman
Texas Longhorns quarterback Karle “Kj” Lacey Jr. (8) warms up ahead of the Citrus Bowl against the Michigan Wolverines at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida, Dec. 31, 2025.
Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman
Sure, Texas football didn’t reach its postseason goal of a third consecutive trip to the College Football Playoff. But there’s still plenty at stake for the Longhorns (9-3) as they face off with Michigan (9-3) in a Citrus Bowl rife with tradition and some terrific storylines.
First, Texas wants to beat the Wolverines in a matchup between two of the top-five winningest programs in college football history. A victory would give fifth-year head coach Steve Sarkisian a third straight season with double-digit wins, a streak Texas hasn’t had since winning at least 10 games every year from 2001-09.
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The Longhorns also want to set the table for 2026, especially since star quarterback Arch Manning has already announced his intentions to return to Texas. Sarkisian and his staff will play lots of youngsters against the Wolverines; his program has already lost 15 eligible players for 2026 to the NFL draft or the transfer portal.
Read below for live scores and updates as the No. 13 Texas Longhorns take on the No. 18 Michigan Wolverines Wednesday at the Citrus Bowl in Orlando, Fla.
PLAYER TRACKER: Who’s playing Citrus Bowl and who’s in the transfer portal?
Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) warms up ahead of the Citrus Bowl against the Michigan Wolverines at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida, Dec. 31, 2025.
Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman
Christian Clark bursts in from 3 yards out as Texas ties the game. A 19-yard run by QB Arch Manning on fourth-and-1 at the 21-yard line keys the drive and came on a clever play; TE Jack Endries lines up for a tush push, center Connor Robertson does a great job with a snap between Endries’ legs to Manning, and Manning has a wide-open edge.
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Texas is on the march behind Arch Manning, who just became the seventh Texas quarterback to top 3,000 yards passing in a single season. He joins Colt McCoy (2007-09), Sam Ehlinger (2018-19), Quinn Ewers (2023-24), Major Applewhite (1999), Chris Simms (2002) and Vince Young (2005). The Longhorns may need lots of points today from Manning and the offense considering all the new starters on defense.
Texas kick returner Ryan Niblett gets blasted on a kick return and fumbles the ball, and Michigan takes advantage with a 19-yard touchdown pass from Bryce Underwood to Kendrick Bell. Bell toe-taps to get into the end zone on the third-down pass, and replay overturns the initial incomplete call.
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Linebacker Bo Barnes gets his first career sack for Texas, but the Wolverines still even the game on a 53-yard field goal from Dominic Zvada. Barnes, a freshman, is starting in place of All-American Anthony Hill jr., who’s prepping for the draft.
Texas edge Colin Simmons gets his 12th sack of the season to snuff out the Wolverines’ first drive. Texas gets the ball back at its own 23-yard line. Simmons is now tied for ninth on the single-season sack list, with Steve “Mongo” McMichael, among others.
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Mason Shipley caps a 9-play, 50-yard drive with a 43-yard field goal to give Texas the early lead. He’s now 19 of 23 on the year, a good season for the Texas State transfer. Christian Clark, who gets the start at running back with Quintrevion Wisner and CJ Baxter in the portal rips off a 22-yard run to set up the score.
Let’s kick off the Citrus Bowl. Texas and quarterback Arch Manning will get the ball first.
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Texas will be without a handful of starters against Michigan because of upcoming NFL draft preparation or entry into the transfer portal. Here are the Longhorn starters not playing in the Citrus Bowl and their listed replacements: RB Quintrevion Wisner (portal, Christian Clark), WR DeAndre Moore Jr. (portal, Daylan McCutcheon), edge Ethan Burke (NFL, Lance Jackson), LB Trey Moore (NFL, Brad Spence), LB Anthony Hill Jr. (NFL, Bo Barnes), LB Liona Lefau (portal, Ty’Anthony Smith), CB Malik Muhammad (NFL, Kade Phillips) and S Michael Taaffe (NFL, Xavier Filsaime).
The announcement of the Longhorns’ team captains for the Citrus Bowl could foreshadow some good news for the Longhorns. Left tackle Trevor Goosby joins edge rusher Colin Simmons, safety Jelani McDonald and quarterback Arch Manning as the team captains. Simmons, Manning and McDonald will all return next season as program cornerstones, but Goosby – a projected first-round pick in the upcoming NFL draft, if he declares – has been mum about his plans for 2026. Goosby said he won’t make a decision about turning pro until after the Citrus Bowl, but his selection as a captain could hint at his return.
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When: 2:06 p.m. Wednesday
Where: Citrus Bowl in Orlando, Fla.
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TV/radio: ABC, 1300, 98.1, 105.3 (Spanish)
Moneyline: Michigan +250, Texas -310
Spread: Texas is favored by 7 ½ points.
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Cool and partly cloudy with temperatures in the 50s and the slightest chance of rain.
at Ohio State: L, 14-7
San José State: W, 38-7
UTEP: W, 27-10
Sam Houston: W, 55-10
at Florida, Oct. 4: L, 29-21
Oklahoma, Oct. 11: W, 23-6
at Kentucky, Oct. 18: W, 16-13 OT
at Mississippi State, Oct. 25: W, 45-38 OT
Vanderbilt, Nov. 1: W, 34-31
at Georgia, Nov. 15: L, 35-10
Arkansas, Nov. 22: W, 52-37
Texas A&M, Nov. 28: W, 27-17
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