Michigan Football to Play Texas in Cheez-It Citrus Bowl on New Year’s Eve
12/7/2025 2:00:00 PM | Football
• Buy Tickets | Michigan Football Bowl Central
ORLANDO, Fla. -- The No. 18-ranked University of Michigan football team will face No. 13 Texas in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl, it was announced on Sunday (Dec. 7) during ESPN's Bowl Selection Show (rankings from the College Football Playoff poll). This will be the Wolverines' seventh appearance in the Citrus Bowl and the second time the program faces Texas in the postseason.
"We are excited to take part in the 80th Citrus Bowl, a game that traditionally features some of the most storied programs in college football," said Sherrone Moore, U-M's J. Ira and Nicki Harris Family Head Football Coach. "Our team is eager for the challenge of competing against Texas, and it is a great honor to represent the Big Ten on this stage. We look forward to the trip to Orlando and the opportunity to close out our season against a talented Longhorn squad led by Coach Steve Sarkisian."
"Being selected to participate in the 80th annual Citrus Bowl against Texas is a tremendous honor for our program," said Warde Manuel, U-M's Donald R. Shepherd Director of Athletics. "We're grateful to CEO Steve Hogan and the entire Florida Citrus Sports staff for the invitation, and we look forward to our time in Orlando during the holiday season. The Citrus Bowl has always been a valued partner of the Big Ten, consistently delivering one of the premier bowl experiences in college football. Our student-athletes and coaches are looking forward to the opportunity to participate against a tremendous opponent and represent Michigan on this prestigious stage."
The Cheez-It Citrus Bowl is held at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Fla. The game pitting the Michigan Wolverines (9-3, 7-2 Big Ten) against the SEC's Texas Longhorns (9-3, 6-2 SEC) will kick off at 3 p.m. and will be televised nationally by ABC.
The Wolverines are seeking a 10th win for the 33rd time in school history and the fourth time in the past five seasons. Michigan has won five of its last six games entering the Citrus Bowl matchup with Texas. The Maize and Blue boast one of the nation's top defenses, ranking 13th nationally in rushing defense (101.7 ypg), 16th in scoring defense (18.7 ppg), 19th in interceptions (13) and 22nd in total defense (213.3 ypg). Edge Derrick Moore earned first-team All-Big Ten honors and cornerback Zeke Berry and linebacker Jimmy Rolder were second-team honorees. Moore led the league in sacks (10.0) during the conference season, while Berry was the Big Ten's leader in passes defended (nine; eight PBUs and one interception). Rolder led the Wolverines with 69 tackles, including 7.0 tackles for loss, 2.0 sacks, one fumble recovery and one interception.
Michigan was led offensively by a ground game that ranks among the best in the NCAA, sitting 16th at 213.2 yards per contest. All-Big Ten second-team selection Jordan Marshall (932 yards) and third-team honoree Justice Haynes (857 yards) powered a potent rushing attack that saw a Wolverine surpass the 100-yard mark 12 times during the season. The balanced offense produced 2,558 rushing yards and 2,229 passing yards behind freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood, who completed 179-of-293 attempts (61.1%) for 2,229 yards and nine touchdowns.
U-M has compiled a 4-2 mark all-time in the Citrus Bowl, with appearances in the 1999, 2001, 2002, 2008, 2016 and 2020 games. The Maize and Blue have earned victories against Arkansas (1999), Auburn (2001) and Florida (2008, 2016), and suffered setbacks to Tennessee (2002) and Alabama (2020).
This will be the second meeting between Michigan and Texas during the bowl season, with the previous matchup coming in the 2005 Rose Bowl. A back-and-forth affair ended with a game-winning 37-yard field goal from Dusty Mangum as time expired, giving No. 6 Texas a 38-37 win over No. 13 Michigan in the 91st Rose Bowl Game. Braylon Edwards led Michigan with 10 catches for 109 yards and three touchdowns, becoming the Big Ten's career receiving TD leader (39). Chad Henne completed 18-of-34 passes for 227 yards and four touchdowns, while Garrett Rivas connected on field goals from 44, 32 and 42 yards. Texas scored 17 fourth-quarter points to secure the victory.
Following is some background on Michigan's bowl game history:
- The Wolverines will be making their 54th all-time bowl appearance, the 11th-highest total among FBS schools.
- Michigan will be making its seventh appearance in the Citrus Bowl (4-2 record).
- U-M's most recent Citrus Bowl appearance came in the 2019 season, a 35-16 loss to Alabama on Jan. 1, 2020.
- The Wolverines' last Citrus Bowl victory came in 2016, a 41-7 win over Florida.
- U-M has a 0-1 record against Texas in bowl games, falling in the 2005 Rose Bowl, 38-37.
- Michigan has played in 13 different bowl games and won 24 total bowl matchups, the 17th-highest total among FBS programs.
- This will be the program's 20th bowl matchup against an SEC opponent (10-9 record).
- This will be the 43rd all-time meeting against an SEC team (27-14-1 record).
- This is Michigan's 21st bowl game played in the state of Florida (10-10 record).
Ticket Information
Donors and football season ticket holders who ordered bowl tickets during the priority request period will receive confirmation of their order via e-mail today (Sunday, Dec. 7). Tickets for the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl will be made available to the general public on Monday, Dec. 8, at 9 a.m. by visiting MGoBlue.com/Tickets.
Cheez-It Citrus Bowl Facts
Date: Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025
Time: 3 p.m.
Television: ABC
Site: Orlando, Fla.
Facility: Camping World Stadium
Capacity: 60,219
Surface: AstroTurf
Website: cheezitcitrusbowl.com
