It's a tumultuous time for the Michigan football program.
Head coach Sherrone Moore was fired two weeks ago for cause. The Wolverines have been working on landing a replacement, but the search hasn't gone exactly as planned either.
Jeff Brohm is the latest contender to emerge. Yet, he could wind up doing the same thing that Kenny Dillingham did. Dillingham decided to stay at Arizona State. Brohm could wind up doing the same thing with Louisville.
Regardless of who the next head coach is, the coach for the next Michigan football game, the Citrus Bowl, is Biff Poggi.
Poggi was the associate head coach under Jim Harbaugh. He served in the same capacity under Sherrone Moore. Poggi coached two games this past season as the interim head coach.
Poggi has thrown his hat into the ring when it comes to the head coaching job. That doesn't seem likely, although with the current state of the program, who knows?
However, Poggi offered some interesting information about the Citrus Bowl, telling the Texas podcast, "The Stampede" that the Wolverines could be down 25 players for the Dec. 31 bowl game against Texas.
“ I don’t know how many we’ll come with quite frankly…”
— Bob Ballou (@BobBallouSports) December 24, 2025
Michigan interim head coach Biff Poggi tells us on @TheStampedeUT that he thinks Michigan might have 25 Wolverines not play in the Citrus Bowl. Massive news for a Michigan program that is in a tough position. #HookEm pic.twitter.com/3ZIOfeQdKY
"I don't know how many we'll come with, quite frankly," Poggi said.
“And when lesser men would have maybe not, and, and probably will not be there on, on the 31st. So, you know, I'm thinking, honestly, there could be 25 guys, you know, possibly not come back.”
There could be injuries and opt-outs. We have heard about a few players not planning to play in the game, but 25 is a striking number, although bowl games are meaningless. In an interview about the Pinstripe Bowl this week, Dabo Swinney estimated Clemson would be down close to 30 players.
So, this isn't just a Michigan problem, although the Wolverines have plenty of those to contend with. This probably isn't as bad as it sounds. However, if Bryce Underwood or say Jordan Marshall are among the players not playing, that wouldn't be a great sign about their future.
This program needs a head coach and some positive momentum. Hopefully, those things will come this week.