{"id":4141,"date":"2025-12-30T23:49:04","date_gmt":"2025-12-30T23:49:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tmbglobal.news\/index.php\/2025\/12\/30\/what-to-watch-for-texas\/"},"modified":"2025-12-30T23:49:08","modified_gmt":"2025-12-30T23:49:08","slug":"what-to-watch-for-texas","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tmbglobal.news\/index.php\/2025\/12\/30\/what-to-watch-for-texas\/","title":{"rendered":"What to watch for: Texas"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><\/p>\n<div>\n<p>ORLANDO, Fla. \u2014 After all the preseason excitement, all of the hype around freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood and the talk of how the No. 18 Michigan football team could make strides in Sherrone Moore\u2019s second year, the Wolverines are ending their season with a matchup against No. 13 Texas in the Citrus Bowl.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Expectations were high, but nine wins and three losses later, Michigan ultimately beat the teams it was expected to and didn\u2019t manage much more.<\/p>\n<p>What wasn\u2019t included in preseason predictions was former coach Sherrone Moore\u2019s scandalous dismissal from the program, which kickstarted a turbulent December that included the Wolverines promoting coordinators to elevated positions for Wednesday\u2019s game, shortening practices and hiring Utah\u2019s Kyle Whittingham as head coach. Whittingham has already pledged to upheave most of the coaching staff, so Michigan\u2019s game versus the Longhorns will mark the end of the careers for many offensive and defensive coordinators and assistants.<\/p>\n<p>For the final game of what could still be considered the \u2018Sherrone Moore era\u2019 of Michigan football, as his fingerprints still mark the program through certain staff hires and recruits, here\u2019s what to watch for:\u00a0<\/p>\n<aside class=\"scaip scaip-1    \">\n<style><![CDATA[@media ( min-width: 300px ){.newspack_global_ad.scaip-1{min-height: 250px;}}@media ( min-width: 728px ){.newspack_global_ad.scaip-1{min-height: 90px;}}]]><\/style>\n<\/aside>\n<p><strong>Can Bryce Underwood and Arch Manning end the season on a high note?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Forever ago, Michigan quarterback Bryce Underwood was the incoming No. 1 overall recruit and Texas quarterback Arch Manning \u2014 also a No. 1 overall recruit back in 2023 \u2014 was the preseason Heisman favorite. The Cheez-It Citrus Bowl is not the destination either hoped for.<\/p>\n<p>But for all the gargantuan individual expectations Underwood\u2019s reported NIL <a href=\"https:\/\/sports.yahoo.com\/articles\/michigan-qb-bryce-underwood-landed-163853788.html\">package<\/a> and Manning\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Manning_family\">name<\/a> created \u2014 that both fell short of as first-year starters \u2014 they have a final opportunity to showcase a season\u2019s worth of development.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cArch Manning, first of all, really, what that young man is, the way he\u2019s carried himself (under a) pretty intense spotlight is just amazing,\u201d Michigan interim coach Biff Poggi said Tuesday. \u201cAnd credit his family, to Steve, the coaching staff. He\u2019s an unbelievable player. He\u2019s everything they say he is.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Manning experienced <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/6694360\/2025\/10\/07\/arch-manning-texas-nfl-draft-nil\/\">growing pains<\/a> to begin the year. But since the Longhorns\u2019 Red River Rivalry win, Manning has found his stride, throwing 13 touchdowns to just two interceptions across the final seven games.\u00a0<\/p>\n<aside class=\"scaip scaip-2    \">\n<style><![CDATA[@media ( min-width: 300px ){.newspack_global_ad.scaip-2{min-height: 250px;}}@media ( min-width: 728px ){.newspack_global_ad.scaip-2{min-height: 90px;}}]]><\/style>\n<\/aside>\n<p>Already having announced his return to Texas, Manning has a final opportunity Wednesday to prove that a year of his development has positioned the Longhorns well for 2026. And against the Wolverines\u2019 secondary, that proved fallible to Ohio State, Manning and his young receiving corps can see how they stack up.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe\u2019re talking about Arch, Arch is in year three. Bryce is a true freshman,\u201d Longhorns coach Steve Sarkisian said. \u201cAnd so a credit to them, and to go win nine games as a true freshman quarterback. And I get it, there\u2019s going to be some adversity along the way, throughout a season as a true freshman quarterback. But the stick-to-it-ness for him, obviously very gifted, very talented young man.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The young Underwood struggled most in big games and, in particular, in the finale against Ohio State. But before that outing, Underwood appeared to be hitting his stride with 200-yard games against <a href=\"https:\/\/www.michigandaily.com\/sports\/football\/walkoff-field-goal-keeps-michigan-alive-with-24-22-win-over-northwestern\/\">Northwestern<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.michigandaily.com\/sports\/football\/michigan-offense-fires-on-all-cylinders-routs-maryland-45-20\/\">Maryland<\/a>. Against Texas, Underwood can demonstrate that his last performance was just a fluke against the nation\u2019s best defense.<\/p>\n<p>The game more than likely won\u2019t come down to just the performances of Underwood and Manning. But their multi-million dollar deals to play quarterback for two of the sport\u2019s biggest brands \u2014 and their underwhelming seasons \u2014 make them the focus of the game nonetheless.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Will Michigan be able to take advantage of Texas\u2019 opt-outs?\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<aside class=\"scaip scaip-3    \">\n<style><![CDATA[@media ( min-width: 300px ){.newspack_global_ad.scaip-3{min-height: 250px;}}@media ( min-width: 728px ){.newspack_global_ad.scaip-3{min-height: 90px;}}]]><\/style>\n<\/aside>\n<p>Entering the Citrus Bowl, Texas already has a clear soft spot. It isn\u2019t necessarily found in the X\u2019s and O\u2019s, but rather the lack thereof. In comparison to Michigan, which has just three confirmed starters opting out of the bowl game, the Longhorns are losing several key players, creating significant holes in both their starting offensive and defensive personnel.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Texas has felt the impact immediately, having to adjust practices to accommodate its depleted roster.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe\u2019ve had to adjust kind of our practice format because of the numbers being down,\u201d Sarkisian said Tuesday. \u201c\u2026 One thing that we\u2019ve done (has) been a little bit more servicing of each other, from offense to defense, defense to offense, as opposed to (the) scout team. It\u2019s been great for me because it\u2019s allowed me to see the whole team all practice long, as opposed to being separate offense and defense and doing things simultaneously.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>While this altered practice format has allowed Sarkisian to scout out which youngsters on his roster can step up to mend the gaps, it doesn\u2019t change the fact that the Longhorns\u2019 key powerhouses from the season will be absent.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The most notable area of impact will be Texas\u2019 run game. Albeit not the Longhorns\u2019 strength this season, they\u2019re losing significant power on the ground with running backs Quintrevion Wisner and CJ Baxter opting out and entering the transfer portal. Wisner led the team in rushing yards this season with 643 yards on 131 attempts, while Baxter ranked third on the roster with 203 yards on 54 attempts.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<aside class=\"scaip scaip-4    \">\n<style><![CDATA[@media ( min-width: 300px ){.newspack_global_ad.scaip-4{min-height: 250px;}}]]><\/style>\n<\/aside>\n<p>However, that\u2019s not the only offensive area where Texas is losing personnel. In terms of the passing game, Longhorns wide receiver DeAndre Moore Jr. is also opting out and entering the transfer portal. Moore ranked second on their roster in receiving yards this season with 38 receptions for 532 yards. While Texas still has many receivers that can step up to the plate, the Wolverines are retaining key secondary players like defensive backs Brandyn Hillman, TJ Metcalf and Jyaire Hill, who could capitalize on that lapse.<\/p>\n<p>Looking at the other side of the ball, the Longhorns are losing some of their top defensive personnel in defensive back Michael Taffe and linebacker Anthony Hill Jr, who opted out and declared for the NFL draft. Taffe and Hill totaled 70 and 69 tackles, respectively, signifying their integral roles in Texas\u2019 defensive scheme.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Michigan\u2019s robust defense has been its foundation all season long and could capitalize on the notable offensive players missing for the Longhorns. Conversely, while the Wolverines\u2019 offensive attack hasn\u2019t always been balanced, Texas\u2019 drained defense might present them with an opportunity.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>At the end of the day, with key personnel absent, the Longhorns\u2019 roster has significant gaps with soft spots to be found in those filling in. Whether or not Michigan will be able to use its relatively complete roster to its advantage, exploiting that vulnerability, is the question.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><strong>Will young players step up for Michigan?<\/strong><\/p>\n<aside class=\"scaip scaip-5    \">\n<style><![CDATA[@media ( min-width: 300px ){.newspack_global_ad.scaip-5{min-height: 250px;}}]]><\/style>\n<\/aside>\n<p>Entering the ReliaQuest Bowl last season, Michigan had a number of opt-outs on both sides of the ball. The Wolverines needed some of their younger players to step up in their absence to compete against an Alabama team that was the first team out of the College Football Playoff. This season, Michigan finds itself in an somewhat similar situation for the Citrus Bowl against Texas, where the Wolverines are the underdog against a strong SEC team.<\/p>\n<p>Last season, then-freshman running back Jordan <a href=\"https:\/\/www.michigandaily.com\/sports\/football\/jordan-marshall-expresses-desire-to-return-if-everything-works-out\/\">Marshall<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.michigandaily.com\/sports\/football\/jordan-marshall-breaks-through-to-earn-reliaquest-bowl-mvp-in-first-start\/\">stepped<\/a> out of the shadows of former running backs Kalel Mullings and Donovan Edwards to rush for a 100-yard MVP performance in Michigan\u2019s win over the Crimson Tide.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>So for the Wolverines, amid the chaos, it\u2019s still about finding that same breakout performance from a young player \u2014 whether it be an unsung hero or a step in the right direction for next season.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe have all the confidence in the world,\u201d junior tight end Zack Marshall said Monday. \u201cWe\u2019re ready to play because we got guys that are ready to step up. It doesn\u2019t matter if we have 10 guys or 100, 105, we\u2019re ready to play when leather hits the foot.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Albeit there are fewer opt-outs this season compared to a season ago, the edge room is missing two key starters in Moore and Barham. But the depth at the position doesn\u2019t have Michigan defensive coordinator Wink Martindale worried \u2014 in fact, he\u2019s excited to see which rotation player will step up.<\/p>\n<aside class=\"scaip scaip-6    \">\n<style><![CDATA[@media ( min-width: 300px ){.newspack_global_ad.scaip-6{min-height: 250px;}}]]><\/style>\n<\/aside>\n<p>\u201cThere\u2019s other young guys that we\u2019re going to get to see live action, and I\u2019m looking forward to it, but the edges, \u2026 it\u2019s a fun group to watch,\u201d Martindale said Sunday.<\/p>\n<p>Edge rushers junior Cameron Brandt and sophomore Dominic Nichols are two players who have seen their fair share of snaps in the regular season. But now they will have a more highlighted role and could step up in a big way, the same way the defensive line <a href=\"https:\/\/www.michigandaily.com\/sports\/football\/were-always-gonna-have-dawgs-on-this-d-line-michigan-defensive-front-throttles-alabama-in-upset-win\/\">did<\/a> in last season\u2019s ReliaQuest Bowl.<\/p>\n<p>Michigan\u2019s offense is already filled with youth. Looking at players like freshman wide receiver Andrew Marsh or junior running back Bryson Kuzdzal, who have stepped up in big ways throughout the season, the Citrus Bowl provides that stage to take a strong stride into the offseason.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThat\u2019s the only goal, number one is to win the game,\u201d Casula said Sunday. \u201cHaving a young unit and a young team, having these extra, I think by the time we play there will be almost 15, practices have been critical. We\u2019ve been really mindful and thoughtful about time on task and feel really good about where we\u2019re at.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Looking for another Jordan-esque performance on both sides of the ball, Michigan, as an underdog, will likely rely on its youth \u2014 whether in a bigger role or the same role \u2014 to come away with another upset in a bowl game against a strong SEC team.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">***<\/p>\n<p>Poggi remarked Tuesday morning that a win would be the icing on the cake for this program, which in his eyes has only grown more connected over these past few weeks. For Michigan to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=W2djcP7RDN4\">wake up feeling the Cheeziest<\/a> against Texas, look for a strong performance from Underwood or even a breakout performance from an unexpected Wolverine. Michigan and the Longhorns are anticipating varying levels of participation, but neither team is taking this game lightly.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Last season, the undermanned Wolverines upset an SEC opponent in a New Year\u2019s Eve bowl game. This season, against the Longhorns, Michigan is hoping for a similar result.\u00a0<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"newspack-popup-container newspack-popup hidden  newspack-inline-popup      \" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" style=\"background-color:#FFFFFF;color:#000\" id=\"id_162162\" data-segments=\"\" data-frequency=\"0,0,0,month\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">Please consider donating to The Michigan Daily<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p><h3 class=\"jp-relatedposts-headline\"><em>Related articles<\/em><\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>ORLANDO, Fla. \u2014 After all the preseason excitement, all of the hype around freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood and the talk of how the No. 18 Michigan football team could make strides in Sherrone Moore\u2019s second year, the Wolverines are ending their season with a matchup against No. 13 Texas in the Citrus Bowl.\u00a0 Expectations were [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":4142,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[18],"tags":[393,1825],"class_list":{"0":"post-4141","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-news","8":"tag-texas","9":"tag-watch"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/tmbglobal.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4141","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/tmbglobal.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/tmbglobal.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tmbglobal.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tmbglobal.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4141"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/tmbglobal.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4141\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4143,"href":"https:\/\/tmbglobal.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4141\/revisions\/4143"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tmbglobal.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4142"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/tmbglobal.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4141"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tmbglobal.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4141"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tmbglobal.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4141"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}