LSU Stays on Top in USA TODAY Sports College Baseball Poll; Texas Climbs to No. 2
The LSU Tigers continue to assert their dominance in college baseball, maintaining the No. 1 spot in this week’s USA TODAY Sports baseball coaches poll. The Tigers, a perennial powerhouse and the preseason favorite, have been consistent in their performance through the latter half of the season, fending off a slew of SEC and national contenders vying for the top position.
With LSU holding firm at the top, the Texas Longhorns have made a significant move, climbing to No. 2 after a strong showing over the past few weeks. The Longhorns, riding a hot streak in Big 12 play, have emerged as serious challengers heading into the final stretch of the regular season. Their recent sweep of in-state rival Texas Tech and a midweek win against ranked Dallas Baptist gave them the momentum they needed to jump ahead in the rankings.
Texas’ rise is also a testament to their balanced roster. With a combination of power hitters, dominant pitching, and reliable defense, the Longhorns have peaked at the right time. Sophomore ace Hunter Johnson has emerged as a frontline starter, while slugger Ryan Delgado continues to terrorize opposing pitchers.
Meanwhile, the rest of the top five saw some reshuffling as several teams surged with key wins. North Carolina climbed to No. 3, powered by an impressive series win over ACC rival Clemson. The Tar Heels’ pitching depth and situational hitting have been key factors in their ascent. Head coach Scott Forbes credited the team’s recent success to “focused energy and relentless preparation.”
The Arkansas Razorbacks also moved up, landing at No. 4 in the poll. Arkansas has been one of the most consistent SEC teams this season, led by a veteran lineup and a deep bullpen. Their recent series win over Florida solidified their top-five status and kept them in contention for a national seed in the NCAA tournament.
Rounding out the top five is the Oregon Ducks, who continue to turn heads in the Pac-12. The Ducks surged to No. 5 after a dominant weekend sweep of Stanford and a midweek win over Gonzaga. Oregon’s potent offense, led by All-American candidate Jack Morales, has been one of the most productive in the country, while their pitching staff has shown steady improvement.
Elsewhere in the poll, several teams experienced drops due to inconsistent performances or tough losses. Vanderbilt slid out of the top five after a rough series loss to Georgia, while Florida dropped several spots following consecutive SEC losses.
The SEC continues to be the most represented conference in the top 25, with eight teams holding ranked positions. The depth and competitiveness of the conference make it a weekly battleground, with national implications riding on every series.
With just a few weeks remaining in the regular season, teams are jockeying not only for postseason seeding but also for momentum heading into conference tournaments. For LSU, staying atop the rankings adds a target on their back — but head coach Jay Johnson embraces the challenge.
“We know what it takes to compete at the highest level, and our guys are built for this,” Johnson said. “Now it’s about finishing strong.”
As the postseason looms, the race for Omaha is heating up, and the latest USA TODAY Sports poll highlights just how competitive the road to the College World Series will be.
Leave a Reply