Michigan vs. Texas Opt-Out Tracker, Transfers, Injuries, Starting Lineups, Best Bet for Cheez-It Citrus Bowl
The Michigan Wolverines will take on the Texas Longhorns in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl on Wednesday afternoon in Orlando. Jack Borovitz analyzes this Michigan vs. Texas transfer portal and opt-out tracker for Wednesday, December 31st in the Citrus Bowl.
Jack Borovitz - December 31, 2025, 10:35 AM EST
5 Minute ReadMichigan vs. Texas Preview: Who Is Opting-Out, Injured for Cheez-It Citrus Bowl on Wednesday, December 31st
The Cheez-It Citrus Bowl features a matchup between two programs in transition, both sitting at 9-3 and both dealing with roster and coaching upheaval. Texas sits as a -7.5 favorite after the line opened at -4.5, a three-point move toward the Longhorns driven by sharp money despite public backing of Michigan. The total jumped from 46.5 to 48.5, showing market expectation for offensive production despite both teams' defensive losses. One team lost its starting quarterback's entire supporting cast on offense and will be without six (potentially seven) defensive starters, the other enters with an interim head coach navigating mass opt-outs while a new permanent head coach watches from the sidelines.
Michigan enters catastrophic transition after firing head coach Sherrone Moore. Former Charlotte head coach Biff Poggi serves as interim for the bowl game, with former Utah coach Kyle Whittingham watching from Orlando after signing a five-year deal through 2030. Whittingham met with quarterback Bryce Underwood for nearly an hour but will not coach the game, leaving Poggi to manage a roster hemorrhaging talent. Offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey left for Missouri, with co-offensive coordinator Steve Casula calling plays. Poggi acknowledged more opt-outs before the game, saying the situation is "dire." True freshman Underwood completed 61.1% of his passes for 2,229 yards, nine touchdowns and six interceptions during the regular season. RB Jordan Marshall rushed for 932 yards and 10 touchdowns, providing stability, but the Wolverines lost EDGE Derrick Moore (10 sacks, team leader) and LB Jaishawn Barham.
Texas has quarterback stability but defensive depletion. QB Arch Manning confirmed he will play and return for his redshirt junior season in 2026. Manning completed 61.4% of his passes for 2,942 yards, 24 touchdowns and seven interceptions, adding 244 rushing yards and eight rushing touchdowns. WR Ryan Wingo caught 50 passes for 770 yards and seven touchdowns, providing a reliable target. The Longhorns lost their entire running back room to the transfer portal, with Quintrevion Wisner (597 yards, 3 TDs), CJ Baxter, and Jerrick Gibson all leaving. Texas fired defensive coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski and hired Will Muschamp as the new DC, but Muschamp won't coach the bowl game. The secondary will be without S Michael Taaffe (600 snaps), CB Malik Muhammad (593 snaps), and CB Jaylon Guilbeau (548 snaps). EDGE Trey Moore (486 snaps) and EDGE Ethan Burke (378 snaps) both opted out.
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Michigan vs. Texas Date, Time, and Where to Watch Cheez-It Citrus Bowl
- Date: Wednesday, December 31, 2025
- Time: 3:00 PM ET
- How to Watch: ABC
Michigan vs. Texas Odds
Cheez-It Citrus Bowl | Odds |
|---|---|
Michigan +7.5 (-110) | Texas -7.5 (-110) |
Michigan ML (+250) | Texas ML (-310) |
Over 47.5 Total Points | Under 47.5 Total Points |
Click here for the latest Michigan vs. Texas Odds
Michigan vs. Texas Opt-Outs Tracker & Injuries
Michigan Opt-Outs
- EDGE Derrick Moore
- LB Jaishawn Barham
- LG Giovanni El-Hadi
Michigan Potential Opt-Outs
- QB Bryce Underwood
- CB Jyaire Hill
- S Rod Moore
- CB Zeke Berry
- DT Rayshaun Benny
- RB Justice Haynes
- EDGE TJ Guy
- TE Marlin Klein (said he will play)
- LB Jimmy Rolder
- S Brandyn Hillman
Interim head coach Biff Poggi said he does expect more opt outs.
Michigan Injuries
- LB Ernest Hausmann (missed final two games)
- S Mason Curtis (hurt vs. Ohio State)
- LT Evan Link (last played in Week 8)
- S Rod Moore (only 81 snaps)
- RB Justice Haynes (last played in Week 9; assume he's out)
- RB Jordan Marshall (played only 16 snaps vs. Ohio State)
- WR Semaj Morgan (missed final two games)
- Backup QB Mikey Keene (won't be available for bowl)
Michigan Coaching Changes
Michigan has fired head coach Sherrone Moore. Former Charlotte head coach Biff Poggi has been named the interim head coach, with former Utah coach Kyle Whittingham expected to take over.
Offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey also left Michigan to become the offensive coordinator at Missouri. Co-offensive coordinator and tight ends coach Steve Casula will be the interim OC for the Citrus Bowl.
Texas Transfer Portal
- RB Quintrevion Wisner (412 snaps)
- RB CJ Baxter (161 snaps)
- RB Jerrick Gibson (74 snaps)
- OL Connor Stroh (310 snaps)
- LB Liona Lefau (462 snaps)
Texas Opt-Outs
- S Michael Taaffe (600 snaps)
- CB Malik Muhammad (593 snaps)
- CB Jaylon Guilbeau (548 snaps)
- LB Anthony Hill Jr. (declared for NFL Draft; missed final two games due to injury; 563 snaps)
- EDGE Trey Moore (486 snaps)
- EDGE Ethan Burke (378 snaps)
- WR DeAndre Moore (not expected back in 2026)
Texas will be without six (potentially seven) defensive starters. DB Jelani McDonald announced he will be back in 2026.
Texas Potential Opt-Outs
- DT Cole Brevard
- RG DJ Campbell
- LT Trevor Goosby
- TE Jack Endries (says he will play)
Texas Coaching Changes
Texas fired defensive coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski and hired Will Muschamp to be the new DC.
Michigan vs. Texas Odds Breakdown - Cheez-It Citrus Bowl
Michigan allowed the 16th-fewest points per game nationally at 18.7 and the 13th-fewest rush yards per game at 101.7, showing defensive strength. The Wolverines ranked 16th nationally in rushing offense at 213.2 yards per contest, with Marshall and Haynes combining for 1,789 yards. Underwood struggled with hesitation and holding the ball too long during his first full season, showing the natural growing pains of a true freshman starting in the Big Ten. The potential opt-outs at cornerback and linebacker create enormous uncertainty for a defense that already lost its top pass rusher in Moore.
Texas scored 29.6 points per game while allowing 19.8, showing balance across both phases. Manning led the team in rushing touchdowns with eight while throwing for 24 scores, demonstrating dual-threat ability. The Longhorns defense allowed opponents to average 98 rushing yards and 238 passing yards per game before the opt-outs. Texas converted 62.2% of red zone appearances into touchdowns and successfully converted 40% of third-down attempts, showing efficiency. The complete loss of the running back room forces Manning to carry the offense through the air against a Michigan run defense that allowed just 101.7 yards per game.
From a market perspective, the line raised from -4.5 to -7.5 toward Texas, with sharp money moving the spread through key numbers despite Michigan attracting the majority of tickets. The lack of buyback near +7 suggests the market is comfortable laying the touchdown with Texas rather than fading Michigan at this number. Both teams finished 4-8 ATS during the regular season, demonstrating equal market inefficiency. The three-point move came despite Michigan's defensive reputation, showing respect for Texas's quarterback stability and the coaching chaos surrounding the Wolverines. This is a classic sharp-versus-public setup where Michigan takes tickets, Texas takes money, and the line follows the larger wagers.
Michigan vs. Texas Best Bet
- Pick: Texas -7.5 (-115) Check out these best odds on DraftKings Sportsbook
Sharp money pushed this line through key numbers for a reason. Texas has quarterback stability with Manning confirmed playing and returning, while Michigan operates with an interim head coach who openly acknowledged expecting more opt-outs before kickoff. The Wolverines lost their offensive coordinator and top pass rusher, enter with a true freshman quarterback in his first full season, and face a Texas defense that, despite opt-outs, still ranked inside the top 25 nationally in scoring defense. Michigan's coaching instability and roster uncertainty create a difficult cover scenario for the underdog, especially with Whittingham watching from the sidelines instead of coaching. Laying the touchdown with the more complete program coming off a win over Texas A&M is the right side in Orlando.
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