If you turned off the TV before the fourth quarter of the Citrus Bowl on New Year's Eve, you probably thought Michigan was going to pull it off. Honestly, most of us did. But the final score of the Michigan Wolverines football game told a much harsher story: Texas 41, Michigan 27. It was a weird, messy, and ultimately frustrating way to wrap up a year that felt like a bridge to a new era.
The Wolverines finished the 2025 season with a 9-4 record. That sounds decent on paper, but it’s the kind of record that leaves a bitter taste when you lose your final two games. First, there was the 27-9 loss to Ohio State at the Big House, then this breakdown in Orlando.
What actually happened in the Citrus Bowl?
Michigan actually led this game late. With about 11 minutes left in the fourth quarter, freshman phenom Bryce Underwood dove into the pylon for a touchdown to put the Wolverines up 27-24. The momentum felt real. Camping World Stadium was loud. Then, the wheels didn't just come off; they basically disintegrated.
Texas rattled off 17 unanswered points.
Arch Manning—yeah, that Manning—turned into a human highlight reel. He ripped off a 60-yard touchdown run that made the Michigan secondary look like they were running in sand. It was a brutal sequence of events. Michigan’s offense, which had been scrappy all day, suddenly couldn't keep the ball. Two interceptions and a fumble in the final 18 minutes of play essentially handed the game to the Longhorns.
Breaking down the scoring by quarter
- First Quarter: Michigan 10, Texas 3. (A 53-yard bomb of a field goal from Dominic Zvada set the tone early.)
- Second Quarter: Both teams traded blows, heading into the locker room tied at 17-17.
- Third Quarter: A defensive slog. Michigan added a field goal to lead 20-17.
- Fourth Quarter: Chaos. Texas 24, Michigan 10 in the final frame alone.
The Bryce Underwood era has officially begun
If you’re looking for a silver lining in the score of the Michigan Wolverines football game, it's number 19. Bryce Underwood showed exactly why he was the most hyped recruit in recent memory. He finished the game with two passing touchdowns—one to Kendrick Bell and another to Andrew Marsh—and that gutsy rushing score.
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He’s got the "it" factor. You can see it in how he navigates the pocket. But he’s still a kid. The two late interceptions were classic "trying to do too much" freshman mistakes. Coach Sherrone Moore noted after the game that while the result sucks, the experience Underwood gained in a high-stakes environment like that is basically "gold" for the 2026 season.
Kinda reminds me of JJ McCarthy’s early days. Flashy, occasionally reckless, but clearly the best athlete on the field.
Why the defense disappeared late
The most confusing part for fans was the defensive collapse. Michigan’s defense had been the backbone of the team all season, especially during that five-game winning streak in October and November where they slapped around Michigan State (31-20) and shut down Washington (24-7).
Against Texas, they just looked tired.
They allowed 470 total yards. You can’t win many games doing that. The Longhorns converted 10-of-15 third downs, which is a staggering number for a Wink Martindale-led unit. Every time Michigan needed a stop to get the ball back to Underwood, Manning would find an opening or scramble for a back-breaking first down.
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Key Stats from the Citrus Bowl
Michigan had more penalties (11 for 95 yards) than Texas had punts. That’s usually a recipe for disaster. Texas forced three turnovers in the fourth quarter alone. Bryson Kuzdzal was a bright spot on the ground, grinding out 82 yards, but it wasn't enough to balance out the lack of a consistent vertical threat once Texas started stacking the box.
Looking back at the 2025 season scores
To understand the score of the Michigan Wolverines football game in Orlando, you have to look at how they got there. It was a season of extreme highs and some pretty localized lows.
The win over Michigan State in East Lansing was probably the peak. Winning 31-20 and keeping the Paul Bunyan Trophy in Ann Arbor for the fourth straight year felt great. Then there was that bizarre walk-off win at Wrigley Field against Northwestern, where Dominic Zvada hit a 31-yarder as time expired to win 24-22.
But the "Big Three" games—Oklahoma, Oregon, and Ohio State—were all losses.
- @ Oklahoma: 24-13 L
- vs Oregon: 38-17 L
- vs Ohio State: 27-9 L
It's clear that while Michigan can beat the middle-of-the-pack Big Ten teams, they haven't quite figured out how to punch up at the elite Tier 1 programs yet.
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What’s next for the Wolverines?
The 2025 season is in the books. Now, the focus shifts to the transfer portal and spring ball.
The defense is going to lose some heavy hitters to the NFL draft, particularly on the defensive line. However, with Andrew Marsh and Bryce Underwood returning, the offense finally has the identity it’s been missing since the 2023 championship run.
Expectations for 2026 are going to be sky-high. If Moore can tighten up the discipline—those 21 combined penalties in the Citrus Bowl were an eyesore—and find a way to get the defense off the field on third downs, they’ll be back in the playoff conversation.
For now, the 41-27 loss is just a reminder of how much work is left to do. It’s a bitter pill, but sometimes those are the ones that make you better in the long run.
If you're keeping track of the roster moves, keep a close eye on the defensive tackle spot in the portal. Michigan needs size inside if they want to stop the run against teams like Texas and Ohio State next year. Also, watch the development of the young secondary players who got burned late in the bowl game; those reps are going to be the foundation for the 2026 depth chart.