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The college baseball field is set, as 64 teams embark upon the road to Omaha.
Seven of the 16 regional sites of the NCAA Baseball Tournament belong to the SEC, which has housed the past six College World Series winners. However, it isn't until the No. 3 seed that the conference is represented by conference winner Georgia, with UCLA and Georgia Tech taking the Nos. 1 and 2 spots, respectively.
NCAA REGIONALS: 5 teams under the most pressure in baseball tournament
TOUGH BREAK: Mercer exclusion from tournament highlights committee's mid-major problem
Even without tournament mainstays LSU and Vanderbilt, there is a bevy of talent. Projected No. 1 MLB Draft pick Roch Cholowsky is an elite prospect for the top-ranked Bruins, whereas the Yellow Jackets have two projected top-10 picks in Vahn Lackey and Drew Burress. Looking outside of the power conferences, Jackson Flora of UC Santa Barbara will be must-watch when he takes the mound in Austin. And Justin Lebron looks to end his Alabama career with a bang.
Who will make it out of regionals, and who will be upended before getting to host a super regional? USA TODAY Sports predicts the winner of every regional and what that would mean for their super regional matchup.
The Bruins got the favorable draw you would expect for a No. 1 seed. Virginia Tech looked like a bubble team this season, and Cal Poly might actually be the team most capable of giving UCLA a scare. However, Roch Cholowsky and the Bruins get through a weak field relatively unscathed.
Wake Forest is probably the best No. 2 seed in the field, and though the Demon Deacons have struggled against quality opposition (5-15 vs Quad 1 this season), they have the firepower at the plate and the pitching to make it through to supers.
Georgia Tech has been so good this season, and its staunchest test here is an Oklahoma team that is entering the tournament freezing cold. Lackey and Burress lead the Ramblin' Wreck to supers.
This shouldn't feel like such an upset pick, but Arkansas is a popular choice to make it out of this gauntlet. Even though Northeastern is probably the best No. 4 seed in the field, Arkansas needs to beat a tough Missouri State team before it even thinks about Kansas. The Jayhawks continue a historic season, but pick up some war wounds along the way.
This one isn't really close. Georgia cleans house.
This is another one where the field may cause some bumps and bruises but won't take down the host. Cincinnati has a young and aggressive order but can't run with the Bulldogs for nine innings, and Louisiana is a high-end mid-major that ultimately doesn't have pop up and down the order to keep up with the top two seeds in this region.
More: Is Ryan McPherson difference between Mississippi State early exit or CWS run?
This is a weird field. No. 2 is a high seeding for UCF, and it's debatable if NC State should be here at all. Although the Wolfpack have the emotional boost of a retiring Elliott Avent, it's hard to figure anyone really challenging the Tigers at home.
Absolute, yikes. Nebraska gets the hell group, with two legitimate contenders in Mississippi and Arizona State. No disrespect to the Cornhuskers, who 100% deserve their hosting bid, but the first No. 2 vs No. 3 game here might decide the bracket. Mississippi rides its arms to a bracket win, but there are three serious threats to make it out of this one.
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North Carolina left the ACC title game with a lot to clean up, with catcher Macon Winslow constantly having to deal with spiked breaking balls that ultimately put Georgia Tech out of reach. But even with a tough region, Tennessee is more bark than bite this year, while East Carolina is down Sean Jenkins, Colby Weber and Gavin Van Kempen. VCU is probably the best No. 4 seed in the field, but the Tar Heels survive a brutal group thanks to experience and pitching depth.
USC on paper looks like a real threat to make it out of this one, but it's hard to overstate how bad the Trojans have been against equal or better competition. They haven't beaten good teams all year, it's hard to figure they will now. Texas State replaces UTSA as the non-power conference team you don't want to see, but this under-seeded Aggies team has the bats to survive the region.
It's hard to overstate how desperately we'd like to go against the grain and pick UCSB, but with the Gauchos effectively riding one arm in a double elimination tournament, Jackson Flora just isn't enough. Texas makes it out of the region to host a super regional, but quite possibly drops a game to the top pitcher in the country in the process.
Honestly? Shoutout to the committee for a truly hilarious regional. Oregon is probably over-seeded as a No. 11, but it is rewarded with an Oregon State team with a compelling No. 1 seed argument itself. Even without Dax Whitney, Oregon State can get out of the Pac-12 (and Yale) redux region.
This region entirely comes down to whether the Crimson Tide can stymie Oklahoma State's bats. If this turns into a slugfest it could get away from 'Bama very quickly. Ultimately, however, Alabama keeps Oklahoma State off the board enough to survive a tough No. 2 seed.
'Earned the right': Alabama coach Rob Vaughn praises Alabama State
Admittedly, Coastal Carolina is a bit of a name pick, but the Chanticleers have a habit of playing above themselves in the tournament. It will be curious to see how they manage Cameron Flukey. If things line up for him to face the Noles one time, all it takes is for Coastal Carolina to steal one beyond that.
More: Link Jarrett 'proud' of FSU baseball hosting third straight regional
This is a favorable field for Florida. Troy and Rider are kind of write-offs, with the former losing 29 games and getting in as an at-large and the latter being an auto-bid that was fortunate to get in. But Miami could pose some problems for the Gators, albeit not quite enough to steal the region.
Jacksonville State is the best No. 3 seed we've seen in some time, and is a popular pick to make it out of here. Part of the reason that's so trendy is because it's easy to sleep on Southern Miss. That is an error in judgement. The Golden Eagles have repeatedly stumbled in the postseason, but make it out of their host region this year.
∎ Kevin Skiver, USA TODAY: Georgia Tech
Georgia Tech hasn't made the College World Series in 20 years. Indeed, it hasn't won its regional in 20 years. It doesn't have any titles.
Who cares, who cares, and who cares. The Yellow Jackets have two possible top-10 picks in Vahn Lackey and Drew Burress, and have often looked the part of the best team in baseball. The big question mark is the pitching. Mason Patel has been able to rise to the occasion as a reliever, while Jackson Blakely has been a workhorse starter. The road to Omaha isn't easy, but Georgia Tech finally has the firepower to get there.
∎ Austin Curtright, USA TODAY: Georgia TechGeorgia Tech took down North Carolina handily 13-6 in the ACC championship game, and I don't think it'll stop there. The Yellow Jackets have real shot at the College World Series, with a nation-leading 22 Quad 1 wins.The lineup also has serious thump. Vahn Lackey and Drew Burress are both projected top-10 picks in the 2026 MLB Draft, and Jarren Advincula (batting .434 this season) could also sneak into the first round. Georgia Tech's pitching still has to prove it in the postseason, but anything is possible with a lineup like that.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: College World Series bracket: NCAA baseball tournament regional predictions
Continue reading...
Seven of the 16 regional sites of the NCAA Baseball Tournament belong to the SEC, which has housed the past six College World Series winners. However, it isn't until the No. 3 seed that the conference is represented by conference winner Georgia, with UCLA and Georgia Tech taking the Nos. 1 and 2 spots, respectively.
NCAA REGIONALS: 5 teams under the most pressure in baseball tournament
TOUGH BREAK: Mercer exclusion from tournament highlights committee's mid-major problem
Even without tournament mainstays LSU and Vanderbilt, there is a bevy of talent. Projected No. 1 MLB Draft pick Roch Cholowsky is an elite prospect for the top-ranked Bruins, whereas the Yellow Jackets have two projected top-10 picks in Vahn Lackey and Drew Burress. Looking outside of the power conferences, Jackson Flora of UC Santa Barbara will be must-watch when he takes the mound in Austin. And Justin Lebron looks to end his Alabama career with a bang.
Who will make it out of regionals, and who will be upended before getting to host a super regional? USA TODAY Sports predicts the winner of every regional and what that would mean for their super regional matchup.
NCAA baseball tournament regional predictions
Los Angeles Regional
- Teams: No. 1 UCLA, Virginia Tech, Cal Poly, Saint Mary's
- Winner: UCLA
The Bruins got the favorable draw you would expect for a No. 1 seed. Virginia Tech looked like a bubble team this season, and Cal Poly might actually be the team most capable of giving UCLA a scare. However, Roch Cholowsky and the Bruins get through a weak field relatively unscathed.
Morgantown Regional
- Teams: No. 16 West Virginia, Wake Forest, Kentucky, Binghamton
- Winner: Wake Forest
Wake Forest is probably the best No. 2 seed in the field, and though the Demon Deacons have struggled against quality opposition (5-15 vs Quad 1 this season), they have the firepower at the plate and the pitching to make it through to supers.
Atlanta Regional
- Teams: No. 2 Georgia Tech, Oklahoma, The Citadel, UIC
- Winner: Georgia Tech
Georgia Tech has been so good this season, and its staunchest test here is an Oklahoma team that is entering the tournament freezing cold. Lackey and Burress lead the Ramblin' Wreck to supers.
Lawrence Regional
- Teams: No. 15 Kansas, Arkansas, Missouri State, Northeastern
- Winner: Kansas
This shouldn't feel like such an upset pick, but Arkansas is a popular choice to make it out of this gauntlet. Even though Northeastern is probably the best No. 4 seed in the field, Arkansas needs to beat a tough Missouri State team before it even thinks about Kansas. The Jayhawks continue a historic season, but pick up some war wounds along the way.
Athens Regional
- Teams: No. 3 Georgia, Boston College, Liberty, Long Island
- Winner: Georgia
This one isn't really close. Georgia cleans house.
Starkville Regional
- Teams: No. 14 Mississippi State, Cincinnati, Louisiana, Lipscomb
- Winner: Mississippi State
This is another one where the field may cause some bumps and bruises but won't take down the host. Cincinnati has a young and aggressive order but can't run with the Bulldogs for nine innings, and Louisiana is a high-end mid-major that ultimately doesn't have pop up and down the order to keep up with the top two seeds in this region.
More: Is Ryan McPherson difference between Mississippi State early exit or CWS run?
Auburn Regional
- Teams: No. 4 Auburn, UCF, NC State, Milwaukee
- Winner: Auburn
This is a weird field. No. 2 is a high seeding for UCF, and it's debatable if NC State should be here at all. Although the Wolfpack have the emotional boost of a retiring Elliott Avent, it's hard to figure anyone really challenging the Tigers at home.
Lincoln Regional
- Teams: No. 13 Nebraska, Mississippi, Arizona State, South Dakota State
- Winner: Mississippi
Absolute, yikes. Nebraska gets the hell group, with two legitimate contenders in Mississippi and Arizona State. No disrespect to the Cornhuskers, who 100% deserve their hosting bid, but the first No. 2 vs No. 3 game here might decide the bracket. Mississippi rides its arms to a bracket win, but there are three serious threats to make it out of this one.
More: How Ole Miss' Cade Townsend turned into top MLB prospect with 30-year-old tennis book
Chapel Hill Regional
- Teams: No. 5 North Carolina, Tennessee, East Carolina, VCU
- Winner: North Carolina
North Carolina left the ACC title game with a lot to clean up, with catcher Macon Winslow constantly having to deal with spiked breaking balls that ultimately put Georgia Tech out of reach. But even with a tough region, Tennessee is more bark than bite this year, while East Carolina is down Sean Jenkins, Colby Weber and Gavin Van Kempen. VCU is probably the best No. 4 seed in the field, but the Tar Heels survive a brutal group thanks to experience and pitching depth.
College Station Regional
- Teams: No. 12 Texas A&M, USC, Texas State, Lamar
- Winner: Texas A&M
USC on paper looks like a real threat to make it out of this one, but it's hard to overstate how bad the Trojans have been against equal or better competition. They haven't beaten good teams all year, it's hard to figure they will now. Texas State replaces UTSA as the non-power conference team you don't want to see, but this under-seeded Aggies team has the bats to survive the region.
Austin Regional
- Teams: No. 6 Texas, UC Santa Barbara, Tarleton State, Holy Cross
- Winner: Texas
It's hard to overstate how desperately we'd like to go against the grain and pick UCSB, but with the Gauchos effectively riding one arm in a double elimination tournament, Jackson Flora just isn't enough. Texas makes it out of the region to host a super regional, but quite possibly drops a game to the top pitcher in the country in the process.
Eugene Regional
- Teams: No. 11 Oregon, Oregon State, Washington State, Yale
- Winner: Oregon State
Honestly? Shoutout to the committee for a truly hilarious regional. Oregon is probably over-seeded as a No. 11, but it is rewarded with an Oregon State team with a compelling No. 1 seed argument itself. Even without Dax Whitney, Oregon State can get out of the Pac-12 (and Yale) redux region.
Tuscaloosa Regional
- Teams: No. 7 Alabama, Oklahoma State, USC Upstate, Alabama State
- Winner: Alabama
This region entirely comes down to whether the Crimson Tide can stymie Oklahoma State's bats. If this turns into a slugfest it could get away from 'Bama very quickly. Ultimately, however, Alabama keeps Oklahoma State off the board enough to survive a tough No. 2 seed.
'Earned the right': Alabama coach Rob Vaughn praises Alabama State
Tallahassee Regional
- Teams: No. 10 Florida State, Coastal Carolina, Northern Illinois, St. John's
- Winner: Coastal Carolina
Admittedly, Coastal Carolina is a bit of a name pick, but the Chanticleers have a habit of playing above themselves in the tournament. It will be curious to see how they manage Cameron Flukey. If things line up for him to face the Noles one time, all it takes is for Coastal Carolina to steal one beyond that.
More: Link Jarrett 'proud' of FSU baseball hosting third straight regional
Gainesville Regional
- Teams: No. 8 Florida, Miami, Troy, Rider
- Winner: Florida
This is a favorable field for Florida. Troy and Rider are kind of write-offs, with the former losing 29 games and getting in as an at-large and the latter being an auto-bid that was fortunate to get in. But Miami could pose some problems for the Gators, albeit not quite enough to steal the region.
Hattiesburg Regional
- Teams: No. 9 Southern Miss, Virginia, Jacksonville State, Little Rock
- Pick: Southern Miss
Jacksonville State is the best No. 3 seed we've seen in some time, and is a popular pick to make it out of here. Part of the reason that's so trendy is because it's easy to sleep on Southern Miss. That is an error in judgement. The Golden Eagles have repeatedly stumbled in the postseason, but make it out of their host region this year.
College World Series national champion predictions
∎ Kevin Skiver, USA TODAY: Georgia Tech
Georgia Tech hasn't made the College World Series in 20 years. Indeed, it hasn't won its regional in 20 years. It doesn't have any titles.
Who cares, who cares, and who cares. The Yellow Jackets have two possible top-10 picks in Vahn Lackey and Drew Burress, and have often looked the part of the best team in baseball. The big question mark is the pitching. Mason Patel has been able to rise to the occasion as a reliever, while Jackson Blakely has been a workhorse starter. The road to Omaha isn't easy, but Georgia Tech finally has the firepower to get there.
∎ Austin Curtright, USA TODAY: Georgia TechGeorgia Tech took down North Carolina handily 13-6 in the ACC championship game, and I don't think it'll stop there. The Yellow Jackets have real shot at the College World Series, with a nation-leading 22 Quad 1 wins.The lineup also has serious thump. Vahn Lackey and Drew Burress are both projected top-10 picks in the 2026 MLB Draft, and Jarren Advincula (batting .434 this season) could also sneak into the first round. Georgia Tech's pitching still has to prove it in the postseason, but anything is possible with a lineup like that.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: College World Series bracket: NCAA baseball tournament regional predictions
Continue reading...
