The Texas Longhorns are heading into the final week of the regular season with plenty still on the line—even if the SEC title is already out of reach. While Georgia has locked up the conference crown, Texas (37-12, 16-10 SEC) is playing for more than just pride as they prepare for a three-game home series against last-place Missouri (23-27, 6-21) starting Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at UFCU Disch-Falk Field.

Over the past few seasons, the Longhorns have delivered some unforgettable drama in the season's final stretch. In 2018, a sweep of TCU—highlighted by Kody Clemens' walk-off homer—clinched a Big 12 championship. In 2021, Texas celebrated a shared regular-season title after beating West Virginia while learning TCU had lost. And just last year, they closed out their SEC debut by wrapping up a conference title against rival Oklahoma.

This time, the stakes are different but still significant. Georgia (41-11, 21-6) has already secured the outright SEC championship, leaving Texas, Texas A&M (37-12, 16-10), Alabama (35-17, 16-11), and Auburn (35-15, 16-11) battling for position behind them. The Longhorns were picked to finish second in the SEC preseason poll and had hoped to become the conference's first repeat champion since Florida in 2018.

So, are these final three games meaningless? Not at all. Texas is still chasing a top seed in the SEC Tournament, which begins next Tuesday in Hoover, Alabama. If the regular season ended today, the Longhorns would be the No. 3 seed in the 16-team field, earning a coveted double-bye. (The No. 1 and No. 4 seeds start play on Thursday, while the No. 2 and No. 3 seeds enter in Friday's quarterfinals.)

But the stakes go beyond Hoover. Texas is also fighting for a top-eight national seed in the NCAA Tournament, which would guarantee hosting a regional and potentially a super regional. With the selection committee watching closely, every win matters—especially against a Missouri team that has struggled to a 6-21 conference record.

For Longhorns fans, this series is about momentum heading into postseason play. A strong finish at home could solidify Texas's position as a national contender and set the stage for another deep run. Whether it's a walk-off homer or a quiet sweep, the final week of the regular season always carries weight in Austin.