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Texas opens as a favorite over Michigan ahead of Citrus Bowl matchup

Joe Cookby: Joe Cook8 hours agojosephcook89

According to BetMGM, the Texas Longhorns opened as 5.5-point favorites over the Michigan Wolverines ahead of their December 31 matchup in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl.

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Texas’ -5.5 odds carried -110 juice as did Michigan’s +5.5. The point total was set at 46.5 with both sides juiced at -110. The Longhorns were -185 on the money-line while Michigan was +155.

This year against the spread, Texas is 4-8. Texas beat the spread as favorites against Sam Houston (-39.5), Oklahoma (-2.5), and Arkansas (-8.5). The Longhorns’ outright win over Texas A&M was as a 2.5-point underdog, according to OddsShark data.

For points totals, the over hit six times and the under cashed six times. Texas and its opponent failed to reach the point total in the Ohio State, San Jose State, UTEP, Oklahoma, Kentucky, Georgia, and Texas A&M games.

Last season against Michigan, the Longhorns entered the Big House as 6.5-point favorites against the defending national champions. Texas completed the 2024 season 8-8 against the spread.

Texas just completed a 9-3 regular season with losses to Ohio State, Florida, and Georgia and was left out of the College Football Playoff despite wins over Texas A&M, Oklahoma, and Vanderbilt. It’s the first time since 2022 that the Longhorns have been left out of the College Football Playoff and failed to play for its conference championship.

The Longhorns will have plenty to do in the offseason ahead of 2026, including preparing for what is likely Arch Manning’s final season plus replacing defensive standouts like Michael Taaffe, Ethan Burke, and several others.

The program will be making changes throughout the offseason after signing the No. 10 class according to Rivals. The transfer portal opens on January 2, and the Longhorns will undoubtedly be active in that portion of the talent acquisition cycle.

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