Orlando’s Camping World Stadium is buzzing with anticipation as the No. 18 Michigan Wolverines face off against the No. 13 Texas Longhorns in the 2025 Cheez-It Citrus Bowl, kicking off Wednesday, December 31, at 3 p.m. ET. For fans eager to catch every down, the action will be broadcast live on ABC, with streaming options available via DirecTV, Fubo, Sling, and Hulu + Live TV. The stakes? Well, both teams look to close out the year on a high note and set the tone for what promises to be an intriguing 2026 season.
It’s been a winding road for both programs to reach this point. For Michigan, the path to Orlando was marked by a tough loss to Ohio State, a result that stung but wasn’t entirely unexpected. Yet, optimism remains strong in Ann Arbor, thanks to a promising recruiting class, the rapid growth of quarterback Bryce Underwood, and a sense of stability under head coach Sherrone Moore. The Wolverines enter the bowl at 9-3, seeking their first Citrus Bowl win since their decisive victory over Florida in 2015. This contest, however, feels like more than just another postseason appearance. With so much change swirling around college football, Wednesday’s matchup offers Michigan a shot at much-needed positivity and a chance to close the chapter on 2025 with momentum in their sails.
On the other sideline, the Texas Longhorns also come in at 9-3, having just missed out on a College Football Playoff berth. Even so, the Longhorns have plenty to prove, eager to notch their tenth win and cement their place among the nation’s elite. Texas, now representing the SEC in bowl play, has become a familiar postseason foe for Michigan, joining the ranks of Florida and Alabama as regular opponents in high-stakes games. The Longhorns took the victory in last year’s top-10 clash in Ann Arbor, but this neutral-site rematch promises a different dynamic and plenty of intrigue.
Let’s talk offense. For Michigan, the 2025 season was a bit of a rollercoaster. The Wolverines’ offense finished 49th in the SP+ rankings, struggling to find its rhythm down the stretch—especially after the Chip Lindsey experiment failed to bear fruit. With a coaching staff in flux, all eyes turn to Bryce Underwood, who’s looking to use this bowl game as a springboard into his sophomore campaign. Michigan’s ground game has been a staple, and they’ll certainly try to pound the rock against a Texas defense that ranked 18th against conference foes, allowing just 3.4 yards per carry. But here’s the catch: the Longhorns were vulnerable through the air, ranking 82nd in yards allowed per attempt (7.5 YPA). Will Underwood be able to exploit that weakness under the Florida sun? The Wolverines will have most of their main offensive weapons available, a rarity in bowl season, and could capitalize on the absence of several key Texas defenders.
Speaking of those absences, Texas’s defense will be missing some heavy hitters—Anthony Hill, Liona Lefau, and Michael Taaffe are all unavailable for the bowl. That’s a significant blow for the Longhorns, who have relied on their defensive prowess to keep opponents in check. Still, Texas remains just outside the top 20 in overall defensive rankings, and the unit’s physicality can’t be underestimated. Expect some sloppy moments on offense from both teams, with misfires and questionable play calls not out of the question. But that’s the beauty of bowl games: they’re unpredictable, and sometimes a little chaos makes for the best stories.
On the flip side, Texas boasts its own five-star signal-caller in Arch Manning. The much-hyped quarterback didn’t exactly light the world on fire in his first full season as a starter, but his numbers against Power Four opponents—255.1 yards per game and 16 touchdown passes—were good enough to land him in the national top 25. The Longhorns’ offense finished 38th in the SP+ rankings, and with nearly every meaningful running back absent from the roster for this one, the game plan will likely rest squarely on Manning’s shoulders. Can he rise to the occasion against a Michigan defense that’s eager to bounce back from a rough outing against Ohio State?
Defensively, Michigan’s unit has been the backbone of the team, even if its No. 12 SP+ ranking might be a tad generous. The Wolverines’ struggles on third down against the Buckeyes were glaring, with opposing quarterback Julian Sayin finding too many easy looks and facing little pressure. Michigan will need to tighten up in those key situations, especially with Manning’s mobility offering a new set of challenges. Blitzing with caution will be the order of the day, but if the Wolverines’ defense can assert itself, it could set a positive tone heading into the offseason. As one local analyst put it, “Taking down a top quarterback prospect would spark the vibes heading into the offseason.”
For Texas, the opportunity to finish 10-3 and claim a bowl victory is a chance to validate their season and send a message to the rest of the SEC. They enter the Citrus Bowl as a touchdown favorite—a nod to their perceived stability and depth, even with several key players out. But as any seasoned fan knows, bowl games have a way of defying expectations, especially when motivation, opt-outs, and coaching transitions come into play.
Fans hoping to catch the action without cable have plenty of streaming options. DirecTV’s MyNews Genre Pack includes ABC and starts with a five-day free trial, costing $39.99 per month after that. Fubo offers ABC in all its packages, with a free trial and prices starting at $45.99 for the first month. Sling’s ABC-equipped plan starts at $19.99 per month, though it doesn’t include a free trial. Hulu + Live TV, meanwhile, has ABC in its 95+ channel lineup for $89.99 per month, with a three-day free trial to sweeten the deal. For those looking to stream the Citrus Bowl for free, free trials from DirecTV, Fubo, or Hulu + Live TV are the way to go.
This will be Michigan’s third Citrus Bowl appearance in the last 11 seasons. The Wolverines’ last trip ended in a lopsided defeat to Alabama, but fans are hoping for a repeat of the dominant win over Florida in 2015. Texas, meanwhile, is looking to build on its recent bowl success and continue its rise under SEC competition. The return leg of the Michigan-Texas home-and-home series is already penciled in for 2027, but for now, all eyes are on Orlando and the drama set to unfold in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl.
With both teams hungry for a statement win and plenty of future stars on display, Wednesday’s clash promises to deliver fireworks. As the sun sets on 2025, college football fans couldn’t ask for a better way to ring in the new year than with this heavyweight battle. Whether you’re tuning in on TV or streaming online, don’t blink—this one could come down to the wire!
