No. 13 Texas, No. 18 Michigan to meet in 2025 Cheez-It Citrus Bowl
ORLANDO, Florida (Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025) — No. 13 Texas and No. 18 Michigan will square off in the 2025 Cheez-It Citrus Bowl, Florida Citrus Sports announced Sunday. The 80th edition of Orlando’s New Year’s Classic kicks off at 3 p.m. ET on Wednesday, Dec. 31, at Camping World Stadium and will air live on ABC.
The milestone matchup will be just the third all-time meeting between the Longhorns (9-3, 6-2 SEC) and Wolverines (9-3, 7-2 Big Ten). Texas won both previous contests, including a 2024 regular-season victory in Ann Arbor and an unforgettable 38-37 win in the 2005 Rose Bowl. This year’s bowl game will also mark Texas’ first postseason trip to Orlando.
Michigan, meanwhile, will be making a record-setting seventh appearance in the Citrus Bowl, and its first since 2020. The Wolverines are 4-2 in six previous contests, with triumphs over Florida (2016 and 2008), Auburn (2001) and Arkansas (1999), and would tie Tennessee (5-1) for the all-time lead in Citrus Bowl wins with a victory over the Longhorns.
On offense, the Wolverines feature one of college football’s most potent ground attacks, with 213.2 rushing yards per game on the season, good for 16th among FBS teams. The unit is led by Jordan Marshall (932 yards and 10 touchdowns), who averaged 126.2 rushing yards per game over his final five games after stepping into a featured role following an injury to Justice Haynes (857 yards and 10 touchdowns). The sophomore Marshall’s 6.21 yards per carry also ranked fourth in the Big Ten and 17th in the country.
Under center, quarterback Bryce Underwood led an offense that ended the regular season with 59 total plays (36 passing, 23 rushing) of 20-plus yards. The consensus No. 1 quarterback in the 2025 recruiting class, Underwood finished his debut season with 2,229 passing yards and nine touchdowns through the air. His 12.5 yards per completion ranked fourth in the Big Ten, and his top two targets, Andrew Marsh (641 yards) and Donaven McCulley (534 yards) each averaged 15.3 yards per catch. Underwood also had 323 rushing yards and scored five rushing scores this season.
On the SEC sideline, Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning, the No. 1 prospect in the 2023 recruiting class, finished the regular season with 2,942 passing yards and ranked 4th in the SEC with 24 passing touchdowns. Manning also led the Longhorns with eight rushing scores this season and was responsible for 198 total points, 10th among all FBS players.
Manning’s top target, Ryan Wingo, led the team in catches (50), receiving yards (770) and receiving touchdowns (seven). Redshirt freshman Parker Livingstone also added six touchdown receptions, and his 18.9 yards per catch ranked second in the SEC and 12th nationally.
On special teams, Ryan Niblett is one of the country’s most electric return men. Niblett led the SEC and finished second in the entire FBS with 23.6 yards per punt return, with two punt return touchdowns on the season. His 646 kick return yards also led the SEC and ranked fifth among FBS returners.
Defensively, the Longhorns held opponents to just 98.1 rushing yards per game, 10th among FBS programs, and ranked 23rd nationally in scoring defense at 19.8 points allowed per game. Jelani McDonald led the team in both tackles (73) and interceptions (three), while Colin Simmons paced the team in tackles for a loss (13.5), including a team-high 11 sacks.
Like Texas, Michigan also boasts one of the nation’s sturdiest defensive fronts. The Wolverines allowed just 18.7 points per game this season, good for 16th nationally, while their total defense (312.3 yards per game, 22nd) and rushing defense (101.7 yards, 13th) also ranked in the Top 25 among FBS schools. They’re led by edge rusher Derrick Moore, who finished third in the Big Ten and 12th in the country with 10 sacks this season.
One of college football’s longest-running bowl events, the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl debuted on Jan. 1, 1947 as the Tangerine Bowl, with Catawba defeating Maryville 31-6 in the inaugural game. Over the eight decades since, the event has grown into one of the sport’s most respected legacy postseason contests, strengthened by more than 30 years of partnership with the SEC and Big Ten.
This year’s game will also mark the long-awaited return of beloved mascot Prince Cheddward, who returns to the sidelines after years of fan demand. Additionally, fans at the game will have access to a free postgame concert from multi-platinum country music artist Jordan Davis, who will help Orlando ring in 2026 with a full set presented by Geico after the final whistle.
Cheez-It Citrus Bowl tickets are available now. Click here or visit CheezItCitrusBowl.com to buy or to learn more about group, premium and other ticket offers, or to purchase Corona Sunbrew Field Pass upgrades for the postgame concert.