When Texas A&M fell to Tennessee in Game 3 of the 2024 College World Series finals, it marked the Aggies’ closest attempt at a major national championship since 1939 and perhaps the most painful yet.

But less than 24 hours later, the coach who had brought them there was gone, wearing the burnt orange of their biggest rival.
Jim Schlossnagle’s move to Texas came with immediate backlash, particularly after his strongly worded message to the media about his time in College Station.

“I think it’s pretty selfish of you to ask me that question, to be honest with you,” Schlossnagle said in early June 2024 when asked about leaving Texas A&M. “But I left my family to be the coach at Texas A&M. I took the job at Texas A&M to never take another job again, and that hasn’t changed in my mind.”

Less than 24 hours later, Schlossnagle was in Austin, Texas, shaking hands with Chris Del Conte, the athletic director of Texas.
Nearly a year later, the No. 8 Longhorns are set to host No. 2 LSU in one of the biggest early-season matchups of the SEC season.

Texas has rolled through non-conference play but enter the series coming off a midweek, one-run loss to UTSA.

The Tigers remain unbeaten since the start of conference play, sweeping Missouri last weekend and beating New Orleans 11-1 in their midweek matchup. They will head to Austin with a 16-game winning streak.

“I’m excited for our players; they’re ready for the opportunity and the challenge,” Johnson said. “It’s one of nine remaining SEC weekends, but let’s call it what it is – it’s two historic programs, and I think it will be one of the marquee matchups in college baseball this year.”

Schlossnagle and LSU head coach Jay Johnson faced off last season in Baton Rouge when No. 1 ranked Texas A&M Aggies came to Alex Box in early May.

The Tigers, unranked then, won the series 2-1, handing the Aggies their first SEC series loss of the season. Following a considerable bump in their RPI ranking, LSU earned itself a shot in the SEC tournament.

The Tigers used the series win as a stepping stone toward the postseason; Schlossnagle shrugged it off, stating, “We played bad for two days. You deserved to get your rear end kicked when you don’t play well. Our guys care too much sometimes. If you have that level of care, it can snowball, especially in the sport of baseball.”

The Aggies would go on to play in Omaha, but they fell short of a national title in game three, 6-5, to Tennessee.

When Johnson was hired at LSU, Schlossnagle, a former Tulane assistant, was reported to consider it a dream job. However, having already been at A&M, Scott Woodward, the Tigers’ athletic director, did not approach him.

Their approaches contrast in key areas, though. Schlossnagle’s teams have historically emphasized pitching and defensive execution, while Johnson is known for developing elite hitters and an aggressive and mindful offensive approach.

LSU leads the SEC in multiple offensive categories, including batting average (.345), total runs (228) and slugging (.589). Texas, however, ranks among the top pitching staffs in the country in ERA (3.22) and opponent batting average (.206).

With two opposite-minded coaches coaching two of the best teams in the country, this second week of conference play will be determined by a bend-but-don’t-break mentality. Whoever cracks first will feel the damage in a big way.

Texas’ strengths

The Tigers enter the weekend boasting one of the most explosive offenses in the nation, while the Longhorns counter with a pitching staff that has stifled opponents all season.

Texas’ biggest threats at the plate are Ethan Mendoza, who leads the team in hitting with a .407 average and extra-base production, another power threat in Max Belyeu and Rylan Galvan, who leads the Longhorns with seven home runs.

Jared Spencer has been Texas’ most dominant starter on the mound with a 2.36 ERA and 36 strikeouts. Meanwhile, Luke Harrison has limited opponents to a .195 batting average, and Ruger Riojas has provided a steady bullpen presence.

The Longhorns’ success will depend on whether its pitching can neutralize LSU’s power hitters. Texas held opponents to a .206 batting average and was ranked among the top teams nationally in ERA.

What’s at stake

For the Longhorns, this series is about proving that it can compete at the top of the SEC. Schlossnagle has quickly established his system in Austin, but a series win against the Tigers could provide the Longhorns with sustainable momentum through the rest of their conference schedule.

LSU, meanwhile, is looking to maintain its momentum as one of the top teams in the country. After Tennessee swept Florida in the opening conference weekend, they overtook the Tigers as the No. 1 team in the country.

This series will set the tone for the rest of conference play for both teams, and with two of the SEC’s best minds in opposing dugouts, fans can expect tons of action from both sides of the mound.