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ORLANDO, Fla. — As of late, the noise surrounding the No. 18 Michigan football team has been deafening. Between former coach Sherrone Moore’s firing scandal, subsequent coaching changes and transfer portal speculation, the Wolverines have garnered significant media attention.

But from Schembechler Hall to the practice field in Orlando, freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood’s focus hasn’t wavered. Not toward his future, toward the headlines or even toward what the team might look like next season.

Underwood’s eyes remain fixed solely on the Citrus Bowl against No. 13 Texas.

“Right now, we better play this bowl game,” Underwood said Saturday. “That’s really the main thought that’s in my head right now.”

Given everything that’s unfolded over the past few weeks, Michigan enters the game on unsteady ground. With Kyle Whittingham officially set to take over the program, interim coach Biff Poggi guiding the program in the meantime and tight ends coach Steve Casula handling offensive play-calling duties, it’s not a position the Wolverines expected to find themselves in.

Amid the turbulence, though, Underwood has been a steadying presence, keeping his teammates focused on the task at hand.

However, his leadership will be tested against the Longhorns, a team that presents a steep challenge. With that challenge, though, comes an opportunity for Michigan to show what kind of program it is. And when asked about what he hopes to demonstrate in the bowl game, Underwood’s answer was simple.

“Everything I’ve been wanting to show this whole entire year,” Underwood said.

Whether that’s a balanced, cohesive offensive attack, proficiency on special teams or continuing to maintain the Wolverines’ physical defensive identity, only time will tell. But even if Michigan is firing on all cylinders, Texas is physical and disciplined, and the Wolverines will, at minimum, need to prove they can surmount this period of instability to potentially eke out the win.

Now, it could be easy for Underwood to get swept up in the outside noise surrounding the program and his own future, especially with the transfer portal set to open Jan. 2. Questions about what comes next will inevitably linger. But for now, they will remain just that — questions for another day. Underwood’s focus is fixed squarely on the task that lies in front of him.

“Just been gathering with my team, just figuring out our next steps,” Underwood said. “You know, ‘What’s our goal going into this game? What are we willing to do? What are we willing to risk for this one that’s coming up on the 31st?’ ”

Luckily for the Wolverines, their quarterback is willing to risk “everything,” and isn’t distracted by the uncertainty swirling around him. While circumstances continue to shift on and off the field, Underwood has anchored himself in preparation. That steadiness, more than anything, has given Michigan something to hold onto amid the noise.

Much around the Wolverines may feel unsettled, but Underwood has decided to focus on the one thing that hasn’t changed: the opportunity in front of him. And so, even while the noise surrounding the program might grow louder, Underwood is keeping his job simple. He’s just getting ready to play a football game.