The group of teams set to descend on Omaha, Nebraska, for the premier event in college baseball is an intriguing mix of longtime powers and recent upstarts. Perhaps the most curious fact is this – none of the eight participants in this year’s College World Series made it there last year.
That is not to say there is no tradition of winning among the participants. Five of the eight programs have earned titles within the last 13 years. The list of past champions, however, does not include the team that should probably be considered the favorite to claim the crown this season.
Here’s how we’d rank the Omaha eight, bearing in mind as always that at this juncture any of them could win the whole thing.
No. 1 Arkansas
Will this 12th trip to the CWS finally be the year that the first championship will be coming home to Fayetteville with the Razorbacks? Arkansas look to be the most complete team of the group, with the right mix of fire power at the plate and pitching depth to succeed on the big stage. They’ve dominated in the postseason, winning all five games with a combined margin of 41-13.
No. 2 Coastal Carolina
Built around superb pitching and timely run support, the Chanticleers are anything but underdogs in this field despite playing outside the Power Four conferences. The program hasn’t been back to Omaha since its groundbreaking run to the title in 2016, but this year’s version is more than capable of capturing that magic once again. Coastal enters this round on a 23-game winning streak and proved its mettle in sweeping Auburn on the road last weekend.
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No. 3 LSU
Historically the most accomplished squad here, the Tigers have the bats to add an eight trophy to their collection in Baton Rouge. They also boast two excellent starters – Kade Anderson and Anthony Eyanson – and reliever Zac Cowan. Being in the same half of the bracket as Arkansas is the biggest obstacle, but it also creates a first game should be appointment viewing Saturday night.
No. 4 UCLA
It’s been a while for the Bruins, who haven’t been back to Omaha since claiming the program’s first baseball title in 2013. The pitching staff – in particular starter Michael Barnett – has answered the bell thus far in the postseason, which should continue to serve the team well at Charles Schwab Field where runs can be hard to come by.
No. 5 Oregon State
The Beavers represent the Pac-12’s old guard as well as the league’s future. In the here and now though, the decision to make a go of it as an independent in 2025 has worked out well. They were forced to travel for the majority of games and that experience helped shape them for difficult challenges when facing elimination in both the regionals and super regionals. Oregon State might not have the number of proven bullpen arms as others in this field, but it has power throughout the lineup, led by 2B Aiva Arquette, and are never out of a game.
No. 6 Louisville
The super regionals were not nearly as good for the ACC as the earlier rounds, as the Cardinals are the only squad among the league’s five entries to survive the second weekend. But now that they’ve reached the CWS for the sixth time in program history and first since 2019, they might have what it takes to claim their initial title. The outfield duo of Lucas Moore and Zion Rose leads the offense. Louisville’s pitching has been outstanding in the postseason and could propel a run to the championship series.
No. 7 Arizona
Credit the Wildcats for getting off the deck after being bludgeoned for 18 runs in their series opener at North Carolina. They then rallied late in the next two games to knock off the No. 1 team in the coaches poll. Arizona is a program full of championship pedigree. This is its 18th trip to Omaha. The Wildcats play sound defense in the field and are capable of putting up a high run total themselves, but they must avoid more meltdowns from the mound like that opener against the Tar Heels last week.
No. 8 Murray State
The Racers, just the fourth No. 4 regional seed to make it all the way to Omaha, are sure to be fan favorites. The thing they do best is hit. They rank 11th in score and have generated 70 runs in seven tournament games. But the fact that they’re made it this far indicates they can get key outs when needed as well. Going through the loser’s bracket may be difficult but anything is possible if Murray State can win early and save arms.