Kimble Schuessler still sees it in his sleep—the ninth inning, two outs, runners stranded at second and third, UTSA closer Braylon Owens pumping fastballs past him to end Texas’ season on June 1 at their own field, no less. The Longhorns had clawed back from 7-2 down in that Austin regional tournament decider, with Max Belyeu launching that two-run shot to make it 7-4. For a moment—just a flash—the comeback felt possible. Then Owens threw three straight heaters, Schuessler swung through the last one, and 21 years without an Omaha title became 22.
Can Texas Turn 2025 Heartbreak Into 2026 Success?
That’s where we are now. Jim Schlossnagle’s first season ended with the No. 2 overall seed getting bounced in their own regional by UTSA, a team they’d already lost to twice during the regular season. They’d won the SEC regular season championship in their debut year—beat Oklahoma on Belyeu’s ninth-inning three-run bomb to clinch it —then watched him miss 26 games with a thumb injury right when March turned into April. The Longhorns went 4-7 down the stretch, limped through the SEC tournament, and got exposed at home when the lights got brightest.
As March fast approaches, it’s the MLB that both fans and online betting sites alike have their eyes on, especially as the Los Angeles Dodgers eye up a famous three-peat. Popular upstart outlet https://www.luckyrebel.la/sportsbook/baseball/mlb currently lists the reigning World Series champions as a +225 favorite to get that particular job done and secure their third straight crown. But what of the college game? And specifically, the Longhorns’ 2026 hopes?
Sixteen of the guys who topped the SEC regular season standings have come back. Ethan Mendoza and Adrian Rodriguez—your top two bats from last year’s championship squad—are two of them. Portal additions Aiden Robbins (No. 7 nationally) and Ashton Larson (No. 38) add thunder to the middle of the order. Luke Harrison, Ruger Riojas, and Max Grubbs all turned down professional money to give it one more shot at Texas, and Dylan Volantis—last year’s closer and Baseball America’s Freshman of the Year—moves into the weekend rotation. That’s four proven weekend arms with defined roles, something most programs would mortgage their futures for.
Yet the Horns sit at +1400 to end their championship drought, while four other programs loom between them and a title they haven’t touched since Augie Garrido’s 2005 squad brought the trophy back to Austin. Let’s break down exactly who stands in the way—and why the Longhorns might still be the best value on the board.
LSU
The Tigers swept Coastal Carolina in Omaha last June, and nineteen players from that championship roster are back. Nineteen. Chris Stanfield, who drove in two with that clutch single in the fourth inning of the title game, didn’t go pro. Tanner Reaves anchors the infield, Cade Arrambide brings championship swagger behind the plate, and Jay Johnson added eight Division I transfers to a core that already knows how to win when it matters.
What scares you about LSU isn’t just their talent—it’s their poise. They’ve been in elimination games in Omaha and haven’t ever flinched. Jaden Nuke, who went undrafted, could dominate as a weekend starter or closer with a fastball-splitter combo that makes hitters look silly. Johnson openly admitted they’d be “selective” in the portal because the foundation was already elite, and when you’re bringing back that many guys from a title team, you can afford to be choosy.
For Texas, the nightmare is drawing LSU in a super regional. You’d face a lineup that’s seen every pressure situation, a coaching staff that’s won it all, and a fanbase that expects nothing less than a repeat. The Tigers are +750 favorites for a reason —they’re not rebuilding; they’re reloading.
UCLA
John Savage went shopping after the Bruins’ Omaha run, and he came back with Will Gasparino—yeah, that Will Gasparino, the kid who spent two years in Austin hitting .247 with 25 homers and 96 RBI before transferring to UCLA. Remember that eight-RBI eruption against Missouri? Now he’s wearing baby blue and probably circling any potential Texas matchup on his calendar.
Then there’s Logan Reddemann from San Diego—10-5, 3.20 ERA, 119 strikeouts in 131.1 innings, three WCC Pitcher of the Week honors. Jake Swenson adds rotation depth, Michael Cunningham brings veteran pop to the outfield, and Savage is stacking talent like he’s building a super team. At +900, the Bruins are as legitimate a threat as you will find.
What makes UCLA dangerous isn’t just their roster—it’s geography. West Coast programs don’t grind through the SEC postseason gauntlet. They could waltz into Omaha fresh, while Texas limps in after surviving bloodbath after bloodbath. And with Gasparino knowing every tendency of the Longhorns’ pitching staff? That’s the kind of edge that swings a one-run game in the eighth.
Georgia
Kolby Branch and Ryan Black both returned—your shortstop and second baseman from last year’s squad, both Texas natives who decided to run it back at Georgia. Branch hails from Lucas, Black from Grand Prairie, and together they give Wes Johnson the kind of defensive middle infield that wins close games in June.
The Bulldogs also have pitching depth that doesn’t get enough attention. Grant Edwards headlines a bullpen with Joey Volchko, Brad Pruett, and Logan Spivey. Justin Byrd and Jordan Stephens provide veteran arms in high-leverage spots. Georgia isn’t flashy—they won’t make SportsCenter with portal splashes or five-star recruiting classes—but that consistency is exactly what makes them dangerous.
At +1000, they’re being overlooked. Don’t make that mistake. If Texas draws Georgia in a regional, expect a dogfight.
Arkansas
Dave Van Horn reloads every single year, and this time he’s bringing back Ryder Helfrick, the sophomore catcher currently at Team USA camp who’s projected as a future first-round pick. One assistant flat-out said, “He’s a future star if he keeps progressing.” Cam Kozeal and Nolan Souza anchor the infield—Souza’s rehabbing from shoulder surgery, but could shift to first base if his throwing doesn’t fully recover.
Gabe Gaeckle and Cole Gibler return as weekend rotation candidates, while Parker Coil posted a ridiculous 1.27 ERA and could dominate late innings. Van Horn also likes Jimenez, who went 4-1 with a 3.40 ERA as a redshirt freshman and might take another leap forward.
The Razorbacks know Texas. They’ve seen Schlossnagle’s tendencies, they’ve faced your top arms during SEC play, and they play you when every game feels like an elimination. At +1100, they’re not the favorite, but they’re also never out of it. If Texas wants to get to Omaha, they’ll almost certainly have to go through Fayetteville at some point.
