Previewing the biggest matchups in the Citrus Bowl
The Texas Longhorns are allegedly playing a bowl game on Wednesday, but the big news has been coming off the field, with the announcement of Tre Wisner’s somewhat unexpected decision to enter the transfer portal. Along with CJ Baxter, Texas will lose its top two running backs in terms of production to the portal. Are you concerned with the turnover at the running back position heading into 2026? Or confident the Longhorns will be okay?
Daniel Seahorn (@DanielSeahorn) – While losing Wisner to the portal caught me off guard, I think I am leaning towards them being just fine, given how much it has been reported that Texas intends to be active in the transfer portal come Friday. There has been a lot of smoke around Florida running back Jadan Baugh, and if Texas successfully gets him, then they will be in a very solid spot heading into 2026.
Gerald Goodridge (@ghgoodridge) – I don’t think Texas can go into 2026 with the current slate of running backs they have right now. They’ve got guys like Ryan Niblett and Michael Terry filling in the numbers behind James Simon and Christian Clark, but even the addition of Derrick Cooper doesn’t add what Texas needs in the room, which is a proven three-down back. That being said, I would rather the Longhorns overspend on putting a quality offensive line together rather than blowing too large a percentage on the top running backs in the portal. They proved a year ago that this offense can turn a good, not great, running back into a 1,000-yard rusher behind an offensive line with NFL-caliber talent.
Cameron Parker (@camerondparker) – Texas was always going to try and upgrade at the running back position this offseason in the portal. Losing Wisner hurts more than losing Baxter, but it also might mean the Longhorns have a better chance of returning James Simon and Christian Clark. Plus, it gives Texas more money to attack the offensive line and running back spot in the portal.
Jacob Neidig (@jneidig_2) – I think the Longhorns will be okay. Losing this many players at the position hurts, but an upgrade was in order either way. Wisner and Baxter underperformed this season. While that can be largely attributed to the offensive line, they still didn’t get the job done consistently. I’d expect Texas to find a star-caliber back in the portal and a third-down back that can block and reignite the screen game.
Quentin Bell (@uncleqbell) – Not necessarily, but it gives a possible projection of who might be the top competition in the backfield as RB1 in the 2026 season, and with the switch-up with Juluke as RB coach, it looks like they’re trying to make a statement in that position. The Longhorns have other concerns that they can possibly address in the portal to build around, beginning with the OL and DL, along with the LB position.
What matchup in the Cheez-It Bowl are you watching for the most?
Daniel Seahorn– I’m probably most anxious to see how the two gunslingers stack up against each other. Both Bryce Underwood and Arch Manning were highly sought-after recruits, and they will both be tested against solid defensive units on Wednesday.
Gerald Goodridge – I think I want to see what the Texas linebackers can do against a dual-threat quarterback and good running attack. We saw several breakdowns against Arkansas, and even Marcel Reed had a few good runs in the regular season finale. Still, with the transfer of Liona Lefau, both of the linebackers who started the season first on the depth chart will not be on the field. TyAnthony Smith has put in a ton of solid minutes, but will the rest of the unit look better than it did when called upon earlier in the season?
Cameron Parker – Texas’ run defense vs Michigan’s rushing attack. In their three losses, the Wolverines had their worst outcomes on the ground (100 yards, 109 yards, and 146 yards). If the Longhorns can hold the Wolverines around the 100-yard mark, the Longhorns will force Michigan to beat them over the air, and that’s a recipe for success.
Jacob Neidig – I’m looking forward to the Texas offensive skill players against the Michigan defense. There should be quite a few young bucks seeing time on offense. I’m excited to see who stacks up and where.
Quentin Bell – I’m looking forward to seeing how the defense can contain Underwood with the new defensive head and the student athletes who left in the portal. The Wolverines’ offense has the firepower, but does the Longhorn defense have the stability due to the many changes in-house and player adjustments?
Big picture question for ya: Is there any way for College Football to make Bowl games relevant again??
Daniel – The only way you can do that is by reassembling the academic calendar and giving players more incentive to play in the games. Things are a mess as is, and until everyone gets on the same page, we will continue to see defections via opt-outs and interest will continue to decline.
Gerald – The biggest struggle is the interaction of the academic calendar and the transfer portal. If the transfer portal exists, which I believe it should in some form, you need to make sure you give students enough time to settle in on campus before classes start in January. The calendar is a mess, and I just don’t know how to solve that.
Cameron – It may end up looking like the College Basketball Crown tournament that featured teams that did not receive a bid to the NCAA Tournament and played in a postseason bracket-style format with NIL payouts. I don’t expect another playoff format, but I wouldn’t be shocked to see a Players Era Bowl game in Las Vegas with a six-figure payout to the participants.
Jacob – Is it possible? Yes. Does it require a massive restructuring of the entire football system as it exists today? Also yes. A starting point would be to adjust the calendar, but I’m not sure that would fix it entirely. There needs to be a shift in perception about success beyond the CFP. CFP or bust is ruining bowl season just as much as the timeline, in my opinion.
Quentin – Yes, but expanding the playoffs into 14 or 16-team brackets would probably be the only way to do so without crazy readjustments with the academic calendar. It would make bowl season more relevant again since the games will have more at stake, and just the first round would have two more bowl games like the Cheez-It Bowl, Alamo Bowl, and/or Texas Bowl.
Who will feel the cheesiest: Texas (-7.5) or Michigan?
Daniel (8-4/2-10 ATS) – I’ve got Texas in this one, and that’s just going off gut feeling more than anything. There have been a lot of distractions around the Michigan program leading up to this one, and I’m not sure what their motivation levels will be when they tee this one up. Texas 28, Michigan 20
Gerald (9-3/3-9 ATS) – I’ve got Texas. Michigan has an interim head coach, an interim OC, zero experienced edge rushers, and is down an NFL offensive tackle. You can’t discount Bryce Underwood going supernova in the game and being a force of his own, but I think if you look at which team is more intact, it has to be Texas. Texas 24, Michigan 14
Cameron (8-4/7-5 ATS) – I expect Michigan to have some success running the football, but I’m not afraid of Bryce Underwood. Texas may be without some key pieces on defense, but the offense remains almost intact despite no DeAndre Moore Jr. and Tre Wisner. I think Sark lights up the Michigan defense. Texas 34, Michigan 17
Jacob (9-3/5-7 ATS) – I’m not a believer that the regular-season Michigan Wolverines could compete with the regular-season Texas Longhorns. But this is far from that. Who knows how the Wolverines are handling all the drama off the field. I think it’s a little too much to handle, and Texas comes out handily, covering with room to spare.
Quentin (8-3/4-7 ATS) – This game looks like a possible shootout with the Wolverines off the field scandal, while the Longhorns had an in-house clean-up. Texas has a slight edge with the familiar adjustments that were made in the coaching staff, while Michigan’s lack of experience takes away its ability to compete. I think Texas will take it, but Michigan will take chances. Texas 30, Michigan 14
Category: General Sports
