Texas heads into the Citrus Bowl facing one final, defining test of the 2025 season. The Citrus Bowl represents an opportunity for Texas to cap the season with momentum after a strong finish to the regular season. Instead, it now doubles as a stress test for an offense that has leaned heavily on its passing game all year, and some recent news about their starting running back that can alter game plans for the Texas Longhorns.
Quintrevion Wisner’s Loss Will Affect the Longhorns’ Run Game
As the Longhorns prepare to face Michigan in their season finale, the program will be without starting running back Quintrevion Wisner, who has entered the transfer portal. For a team already searching for consistency in the run game, Wisner’s absence looms large.
NEW: Texas RB Quintrevion Wisner plans to enter the NCAA transfer portal, @PeteNakos reports.
Wisner led the Longhorns in rushing this season with 597 yards.https://t.co/jHSFhyOnpr pic.twitter.com/zrnQioV6Wg
— On3 (@On3sports) December 26, 2025
Even with Wisner in the lineup, Texas struggled to establish a reliable ground attack. The Longhorns averaged just 129.67 rushing yards per game, ranking 101st nationally, an uncharacteristic number for a blue-blood program with a storied running back lineage that includes names like Ricky Williams, Bijan Robinson, and others.
Losing Wisner further thins an already shaky rushing attack and makes Texas even more predictable offensively. Against a defense like Michigan’s, predictability can be fatal.
Michigan’s Defense a Major Challenge
Michigan enters the Citrus Bowl with one of the nation’s most disciplined and physical defenses. According to PFSN, the Wolverines hold an impact grade of 83.7, ranking 25th in the country. More importantly for Texas, Michigan has been elite against the run.
The Wolverines allowed just 1,220 total rushing yards all season, the 13th-fewest nationally, and surrendered only 11 rushing touchdowns, the 17th-fewest in college football. Statistically and schematically, Michigan is better equipped to stop the run than the pass, a fact that could shape its entire defensive approach.
With Wisner out and Texas already struggling on the ground, Michigan can afford to allocate more resources to pass coverage. Expect more defenders dropped into coverage and added pressure placed squarely on quarterback Arch Manning, something Texas fans have seen for much of the 2025 season.
Steve Sarkisian Needs To Bring Out Fresh Weapons
For Texas to remain competitive, head coach Steve Sarkisian will need to get creative. With an updated look at the Texas RB room ahead of facing Michigan in the Citrus Bowl, they only have 64 career rushing attempts in the room as a whole.
With traditional run concepts unlikely to succeed, the Longhorns may rely on an extended version of the run game: bubble screens, quick outs, swing passes, and short throws designed to function as substitutes for handoffs.
Updated look at the #Texas RB room ahead of facing Michigan in the Citrus Bowl.
64 career rushing attempts in the room currently. pic.twitter.com/1mo1zOMfBI
— CJ Vogel (@CJVogel_OTF) December 26, 2025
If executed effectively, these plays could slow Michigan’s pass rush, spread out the defense, and potentially open up interior running lanes later in the game. Without that balance, Texas risks becoming one-dimensional against a defense built to capitalize on exactly that scenario.
This season has been defined by Texas overcoming obstacles, and the Citrus Bowl presents one final challenge. Injuries, inconsistency, and now roster turnover have tested the Longhorns throughout 2025, yet they continue to fight.
The question now is whether Texas can summon one more answer, one more adjustment, and one more statement win. A victory over Michigan would not only end the season on a high note but also provide a foundation to regroup, reload, and look ahead to 2026 with confidence.
The pressure is on. How the Longhorns respond will define how this season is remembered.
