The college football season ended in a big way for the Texas Longhorns. They did not make it to the College Football Playoff (CFP), but they got a chance to play in a big bowl game. Quarterback Arch Manning will lead Texas in an exciting New Year’s Day game. The team now knows who their opponent will be for this important bowl game.
A Citrus Bowl Showdown in Orlando, Florida
Texas is expected to play against the Michigan Wolverines in the Citrus Bowl in Orlando, Florida. This news came from reports on social media and has become a big topic in college football. The Citrus Bowl is played at Camping World Stadium and usually features top teams from the SEC and Big Ten that do not make it to the New Year’s Six or CFP games.
Texas, probably with a 9-3 record and ranked around No. 13, and Michigan, also 9-3 and ranked about No. 19, will face each other in a strong matchup. Even though this is not the CFP, it is still an important game for both teams.
The Context of the CFP Snub and Season Recap
Texas had a strong season with a 9-3 record. They beat a top-five team late in the year, stopping No. 3 Texas A&M from having an undefeated season with a 27-17 win. Arch Manning ran for a key touchdown in that game. Despite this, Texas did not make the CFP. Their two conference losses and one early non-conference loss likely affected the decision. Fans are now hoping for a strong win in the bowl game.
Arch Manning’s first season as starting quarterback had ups and downs. He struggled early, like in his first game against No. 1 Ohio State, where he threw one touchdown and one interception. Later, he played very well against Texas A&M, running for 53 yards and a touchdown, and completing nine of his last twelve passes for 151 yards.
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Renewing a High-Profile Rivalry: Texas vs. Michigan
The Citrus Bowl game will bring back the Texas vs. Michigan rivalry. They have played each other twice before, and Texas won both games. The first was the 2005 Rose Bowl, where Texas won 38-37 with a last-second field goal. More recently, Texas beat Michigan 31-12 in Ann Arbor in 2024.
This game will likely be a defensive battle. Texas has the 10th best run defense, allowing only 3.0 yards per rush. Michigan is close behind, ranked 13th, allowing 3.1 yards per rush. Michigan’s offense uses two main running backs, Justice Haynes and Jordan Marshall, who each rushed for over 850 yards and scored 10 touchdowns. The team that stops the run best may win the game, putting pressure on both quarterbacks.
Key Takeaways and the Manning Impact
If Texas wins the Citrus Bowl, they will have a 10-win season for the third year in a row. This shows that the program is still strong, even though they missed the CFP. For Arch Manning, playing against Michigan’s tough defense is a big chance to show he can compete at a high level. Bowl games like this are important for players and teams to end the season on a high note. Fans all over the country will be watching the game in Orlando, Florida.
Disclaimer
The news information presented here is based on available reports and reliable sources, including bowl projections. Readers should cross-check updates from official college football news outlets and the respective university athletic departments for final confirmation of the bowl game matchup and schedule.