Michigan football is playing in the Citrus Bowl – but will the team’s star quarterback be joining?
The Wolverines are playing the Texas Longhorns in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl on Wednesday, Dec. 31, at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida. It’s a matchup of two of the biggest programs in the country and two teams who just missed out on a berth in the College Football Playoff. Both teams also feature mega-hyped young quarterbacks, Texas in sophomore Arch Manning and Michigan in freshman Bryce Underwood.
But with this game essentially being a postseason exhibition, there are good reasons for Underwood to sit out and prepare for the following season. But is that the route Underwood will take?
Watch the Citrus Bowl on Fubo
Here’s what we know about Underwood’s status ahead of the Citrus Bowl.
Is Bryce Underwood playing vs Texas in the Citrus Bowl?
Most likely, yes.
There has been no indication from interim coach Biff Poggi that Underwood will be sitting out the Citrus Bowl. Additionally, Underwood has been practicing with the team in Orlando and participating in group activities, including a roller-coaster ride with Manning at Orlando’s Fun Spot America.
But nothing is a guarantee in today’s college football landscape.
While it’s far from a guarantee, Underwood still has an opportunity to enter the transfer portal and find a new team in January. But even if he decides to stay in Ann Arbor, he’ll want to stay healthy for the 2026 season.
There’s recent history to show the risks of playing in a bowl game. Michigan 2024 starting quarterback Davis Warren tore his ACL in the 2025 ReliaQuest Bowl, a non-playoff bowl game much like the Citrus Bowl.
So if there’s any hint that Underwood might be at risk of a significant injury, he might be pulled earlier than he would be in a typical game.
Michigan vs Texas channel for the Citrus Bowl
The Citrus Bowl will air on ABC at 3 p.m. ET.
Additionally, this game can be streamed on Fubo, which carries ABC.
Watch Michigan-Texas on Fubo
Need to catch up on the news during your lunch break? Sign up for our Sports Briefing newsletter to get daily summaries of Detroit sports!
You can reach Christian at cromo@freepress.com
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Is Michigan QB Bryce Underwood playing vs Texas in Citrus Bowl today?
Reporting by Christian Romo, Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
