ORLANDO, FL — Free Press sports writer Tony Garcia grades Michigan football after the No. 17 Wolverines fell to No. 14 Texas 41-27 in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl to end the 2025 season.
Offense: B-
The offense was moving the ball well until it got bit by the turnover bug late. Michigan ended with 373 total yards of offense – 199 passing and 174 rushing – but didn't have enough when it mattered most. The Wolverines scored on three consecutive possessions in the first half, including back-to-back touchdown passes from Bryce Underwood, with the first, to Kendrick Bell for his first career touchdown, from 19 yards out was quite impressive. Underwood was 23-passed for two TDs but also had three interceptions in the latter stages of the game, including a drive-killer in the red zone. Bryson Kuzdzal had a nice game as the lead back, running 20 times for 82 yards. But penalties – nine for 95 yards – dashed many drives, as did a lack of third-down success (4-for-15).
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementWINNERS AND LOSERS: Biff Poggi ends U-M run with a loss, but as a winner
Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) runs with the ball against the Michigan Wolverines during the first half at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida, on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025.Defense: D
Michigan's defense didn't make any game-changing plays as Arch Manning went unsacked, passed for two scores and picked up 155 yards and two touchdowns on the ground. Texas averaged 7.1 yards per rush, 10.5 yards per completion and had 12 explosive plays – either 15 through the air or 10 or more on the ground. Michigan was able to hold Texas to 3-for-12 on third down, but Texas had five touchdown drives of 60 yards or more.
Special teams: A
Texas Longhorns defensive back Jonah Williams (9) tackles Michigan Wolverines wide receiver Andrew Marsh (3) during the second half at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida, on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025.GRADING UNDERWOOD: Greatness and groans from the freshman QB
The brightest note of the day, by far, was special teams. If newly hired coordinator Kerry Coombs returns next year – and there's a decent chance he does – that could be a bright spot for U-M after serious struggles in 2025. The Wolverines ... well, freshman Andrew Marsh ... were explosive on kickoff returns, with runs of 31, 44 and 51 yards. Dominic Zvada's miss from 45 yards drops the overall grade but he drilled a 53-yarder for U-M's first points, and a 30-yarder for the lead in the second half. This was the best game by U-M's special teams unit since the Jim Harbaugh era had it humming from 2021-23.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementCoaching: B-
Biff Poggi could get an A simply for keeping the team together. Other groups would've seen opt-outs galore after the chaos of December. But U-M showed up and fought – hard – before losing to a better team. Clock management was solid, but it's on the coaches to have their players avoiding penalties, and that's one spot this group fell short. The defensive game plan was also weak, with four punts forced against seven scoring drives. Poggi did an admirable job keeping the locker room united – Bell said after the game he brought the group even closer together this past month –but only one scoring drive of more than 45 yards showed the X's and O's didn't make the grade.
Tony Garcia is the Wolverines beat writer for the Detroit Free Press. Email him at [email protected] and follow him on X at @RealTonyGarcia.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan football grades vs Texas as special teams is holiday surprise
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