Every week we look at the top college baseball matchups from around the country. Once again, we have a lot of great action as we begin week six.
The playoff picture is already starting to become a lot clearer, even if we still don’t know what’s going to happen at the top.
We have several matchups this week that will determine who the frontliner is in their respective conferences — especially in the SEC.
1. Michigan-Texas Tech (Fri. 6:30pm CT; Sat. 6:30pm CT; Sun. 2pm CT)
We may finally get to see just how good Michigan really is this week. They had a big win over UCLA in the Dodger Classic, but then lost to USC and Oklahoma State. Texas Tech is at the very least the second best team in the Big 12 after losing a tight series at Texas last weekend. I’ve very interested to see how Michigan’s Friday night starter Tommy Henry does against that Red Raider lineup.
2. Auburn-Mississippi State (Fri. 6pm CT; Sat. 2pm CT; 1pm CT)
Mississippi State has been the most impressive team in college baseball this season. Auburn’s pitching has been lights out this year led by Tanner Burns, but they’ll likely be without Jack Owen and Davis Daniel this weekend. The Bulldogs pitching staff is led by Ethan Small and JT Ginn and has been just as dominant. Don’t expect many runs in this series, but it will be fun to watch.
3. LSU-Georgia (Fri. 6pm CT; Sat. 12pm CT; Sun. 11 am CT)
I’m looking forward to this matchup because I’m not sure either team is a legitimate contender for Omaha. But whoever wins this series definitely puts themselves in that category. Georiga is 19-2 but hasn’t played anyone. LSU was over-hyped (surprise, surprise) to start the season, but the talent is still there to be great if they can get the pitching staff figured out.
4. Florida-Vanderbilt (Thu. 6pm CT; Fri. 6:30pm CT), Sat. 1pm CT)
Vanderbilt was preseason number one by a lot of outlets but have lost some questionable games. They had a disappointing opening weekend in the SEC blowing a big lead to Texas A&M on Saturday and then losing the series on Saturday. Florida has been giving away mid-week games to teams that shouldn’t be hanging with them. If the Gators win this series on the road there will be some serious re-thinking about who the best team in the SEC really is this year.
5. Central Florida-East Carolina (Fri. 5:35pm CT; Sat. 3pm CT; Sun. 11am CT)
Right now these are the two best teams in the AAC, so it will be a fun battle atop the conference. UConn may have something to say about it eventually, but right now these two teams enter the weekend with the best overall records in the conference at 15-6. I think they both will be at-large teams. But this series will give the winner a leg up when it comes to winning the regular season title.
Other Series to Watch:
NC State-Miami
Arizona State-Oregon
Texas-TCU
Arizona-UCLA
Troy-Coastal Carolina
