D1 Baseball Top 10 Based on Their Midweek Games

This year, it seems that the D1 baseball rankings have fluctuated much more than usual. While, of course, it’s still quite early in the season and anything can happen, the top 10 specifically has seen it all. Midweek games have been make-or-break for many teams this season, but in college baseball, that should be known. Midweek games are must-win games. Especially if they want to remain ranked. Let’s look at the week of March 24th’s top 10 and see if they played their midweek game like a top 10 team. 

Number One Tennessee: 

There was absolutely no question the reigning college World Series champs would dominate on Tuesday against Queens. Comfortable at home, the Vols made light work of their midweek opponent, crushing them 14-3. They head into their weekend series on a three-game winning streak with only two losses under their belt for the entire season. The top of the leader board remains theirs to claim. 

Number Two Arkansas: 

The second-ranked team, however, did not come out of their midweek matchup with a win. The Razorbacks took their third loss of the season in a tight scoring game against Missouri State. Arkansas did not have the upper hand for most of the game, though they should’ve. Missouri State took an early lead, scoring unanswered runs in the second and third innings. It should be noted that the Razorbacks made a valiant effort to come back as they took the lead in the second third of the game. However, Missouri State was not finished, scoring five runs in the ninth to send the game into extra innings. Taking a 14-13 loss to an unranked team at home is definitely not a good look for this SEC school.

Number Three Georgia:

The Georgia Bulldogs added a fifth game to their win streak after their midweek game. The Bulldogs defeated West Georgia at home in Athens 13-6. Bats are hot in Georgia’s clubhouse; double-digit runs are nothing new to them. A strong team, Georgia has the potential to move past Arkansas in the rankings this week. Yet another perfect example of midweek games being must-win games. 

Number Four Florida State:

One of the two ACC teams infiltrating the sea of SEC “greatness” in the D1 baseball top 25 rankings, the Seminoles hold their place well. In their midweek matchup against Florida, they proved the ACC belongs in the top 10. A four-point victory on the road on a Tuesday holds a lot of weight. Especially when they’re trying to hold a place in the top five.

Number Five Oregon State:

OSU has played good baseball all season long, however, they’ve also lost about as many games as they’ve won. Being at the number five spot is not a given for them with a 12-10 record, so midweek games, especially on the road, are everything. The Cowboys took down the Shockers of Wichita State 9-5 on Tuesday. Even though this midweek game looks good for them, they’ll still have to work some magic and, at the very least, win their series against Kansas if they want to keep their top-five spot.

Number Six Clemson: 

The Tigers at 24-4 have the potential to snatch that fifth-ranked spot from the Cowboys next week. Clemson had two midweek games this week. The first was a tough 8-2 loss to Coastal Carolina on their home field. However, they were able to redeem themselves a bit on Wednesday, beating Presbyterian College 9-1. A midweek loss to a team as good as Coastal at home is not a great look, but being able to come out and score nine runs the next day shows exactly why they’re in the top 10.

Number Seven Texas:

Texas Fight. The Longhorns made quick work of their midweek opponent, ending the game 13-3 in just seven innings. While a midweek win at home against Sam Houston may be a big deal for unranked teams, this win might not hold much weight for the Longhorns. Still, midweek games are must-win games, and Texas got its job done. Their spot in the top 10 is a no-brainer, and if they can play just as well against Mizzou this weekend, it’s a lock.

Number Eight LSU: 

What a drop for LSU. Going from the top five to eighth ranked after a rough series against the Longhorns was not a good look for this iconic baseball program. They did redeem themselves a bit in their midweek matchup. The Tigers took down the Ragin Cajuns 17-4 with a run rule that ended the game in just seven innings. Being able to take a beating in a series and then come out with a 17-4 victory in the middle of the week is exactly the kind of baseball that puts this team in the top 10.

Number Nine Oklahoma:

The Sooners, like many of our top 10 teams, were efficient in their midweek game. An 11-2 victory over Oral Roberts put the Sooners on a three-game winning streak heading into their weekend series against 12th-ranked Alabama. It is hard to know if this game will hold any weight for the Sooners. However, a few wins against Alabama are sure to keep them in the top 10.

Number Ten Oregon:

The Ducks are in a dangerous situation. Their midweek games against Kent State were canceled this week. After being shut out 8-0 by Rutgers in the second game of last weekend’s series, they needed a strong midweek look. Oregon’s spot in the top 25 rankings this week will have to be determined by their series this weekend.