UPDATE: The No. 14 Texas Longhorns are gearing up for a critical showdown against the No. 18 Michigan Wolverines in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl, taking place at 3 p.m. on December 31, 2025, in Orlando. This matchup is more urgent than ever as the Longhorns will be missing key players due to transfers and NFL opt-outs.
As Texas prepares to take the field, they face significant challenges, including the absence of their top two rushers, CJ Baxter and Tre Wisner. The team will also be navigating its first game under head coach Steve Sarkisian without defensive coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski, who was let go earlier this month following a disappointing season that saw Texas miss the College Football Playoff for the first time in three years.
Former Florida and South Carolina head coach Will Muschamp has stepped in as the new defensive coordinator. Muschamp previously held the same position with Texas from 2008 to 2010, bringing a wealth of experience back to the program.
In a statement reflecting on the changes, All-American edge rusher Colin Simmons expressed his feelings about Kwiatkowski’s departure. “Yeah, that one hurt a little bit. With PK being my coach coming in from high school… But you know, like Coach Nansen said, it’s a business,” Simmons said. His teammate, linebacker Ty Anthony Smith, added, “I wasn’t as happy when he left, but I’m excited for the future.”
Co-defensive coordinator Johnny Nansen addressed the team’s adaptability, stating, “They’re used to change. We understand with guys opting out, and now coaches and changes like this. We understand it’s part of the business.” He emphasized the resilience of the players as they prepare for the upcoming bowl game.
Offensive coordinator Kyle Flood shared insights on the opportunity for younger players to step into larger roles. “There’s an exciting part to it as well where you get some younger players who maybe didn’t have as big a role during the regular season. Now their role gets to expand. And I think for us as coaches, that’s really exciting,” Flood noted.
With the clock ticking down to the Citrus Bowl, all eyes are on Texas as they look to overcome these obstacles and secure a victory against Michigan. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how the Longhorns adapt to these changes and what impact the new coaching staff will have on their performance.
Stay tuned for live updates and analysis as the Texas Longhorns prepare for this pivotal bowl game. The excitement is building, and every moment counts as they head into this high-stakes matchup.
