In the USA TODAY Sports College Baseball Poll, LSU maintains its top spot; SEC rival Texas jumps to number two, and rankings for North Carolina, Arkansas, and Oregon increase.

The LSU Tigers remain firmly atop the USA TODAY Sports College Baseball Coaches Poll this week, asserting their dominance as the team to beat in the 2025 NCAA season. Coming off another impressive weekend in Southeastern Conference (SEC) play, the Tigers solidified their status as the No. 1 team in the nation, fending off a hard-charging Texas Longhorns squad that now occupies the No. 2 position. LSU’s consistency, Texas’ surge, and strong showings from North Carolina, Arkansas, and Oregon have reshaped the top tier of the rankings, signaling that the postseason race is heating up as the regular season enters its crucial final stretch.

The Tigers, under head coach Jay Johnson, have looked every bit the part of a national title contender. With a 37-7 overall record and a 16-5 mark in SEC play, LSU has shown it can win both high-scoring shootouts and tightly contested pitchers’ duels. The Tigers’ potent lineup, highlighted by future MLB draft picks like outfielder Paxton Kling and slugging infielder Tommy White, has delivered night after night. Meanwhile, ace pitcher Thatcher Hurd has anchored a rotation that combines electric velocity with impressive depth.

LSU’s recent series win over a scrappy Ole Miss squad, capped by a dominant Sunday performance, reaffirmed their grip on the top spot. While the Tigers dropped the opener in extra innings, they responded with back-to-back wins, showcasing their trademark resilience and elite coaching.

“Every week is a test in this league,” Johnson said following the series. “But these guys come ready to battle. We have the talent, yes—but the chemistry and drive have been special.”

The Texas Longhorns, long considered a sleeping giant this season, have officially arrived. A sweep of Georgia in Athens last weekend propelled the Longhorns to No. 2 in the USA TODAY poll, their highest ranking since early 2023. Head coach David Pierce’s team now sits at 35-9 overall, with a commanding presence atop the Big 12 standings.

It was Texas’ elite pitching staff that stole the spotlight in their series win over Georgia. Led by right-handed flamethrower Lucas Gordon and breakout closer Zane Morehouse, the Longhorns allowed just three runs across three games. That performance, against one of the SEC’s most disciplined lineups, sent a message to pollsters and fans alike: Texas is ready to challenge LSU.

Offensively, Texas is led by junior shortstop Jalin Flores and freshman phenom Travis Sanders. The duo combined for four home runs in the Georgia series and continue to spark a lineup that’s peaking at the right time.

“We knew this team had another gear,” Pierce said. “We’ve seen it in flashes, but now we’re seeing consistency. It’s fun to watch.”

The North Carolina Tar Heels surged to No. 3 in the latest poll following an impressive series win over ACC rival Florida State. UNC boasts a 34-10 record and has now won eight of its last nine games. The Tar Heels’ rise has been fueled by a deep offense, anchored by junior catcher Tomas Frick and the electric Vance Honeycutt, who has emerged as one of the nation’s top power-speed threats.

But it’s been the pitching staff, especially sophomore left-hander Connor Bovair, that’s helped UNC leap into the national conversation. Bovair tossed a two-hit shutout in the series opener against FSU, and his development has given the Heels a legitimate Friday night ace.

“We’re playing loose, but we’re locked in,” Honeycutt said. “We know we can play with anybody.”

The Tar Heels are positioning themselves for a top-eight national seed come NCAA Tournament time, with key matchups against Miami and NC State still on the horizon.

After an up-and-down start to the season, the Arkansas Razorbacks are climbing the rankings again, coming in at No. 4 this week. The Hogs swept Mississippi State over the weekend, using a blend of powerful hitting and lockdown bullpen work to re-establish themselves as a College World Series threat.

Dave Van Horn’s squad, now 33-11, is being led by slugger Kendall Diggs and steady second baseman Peyton Stovall. But perhaps the most important development has been the return of ace Will McEntire from injury. The right-hander looked sharp in five innings of work against MSU and appears to be rounding into form at the perfect time.

Arkansas’ rise also coincides with LSU and Texas potentially battling it out for the top overall seed. Should either falter, the Hogs may be next in line.

“This team’s battle-tested,” Van Horn said. “We’ve had our bumps, but we’re finding our stride.”

Rounding out the top five is Oregon, the lone Pac-12 team in this week’s top tier. The Ducks have been quietly dominant, posting a 32-9 record and navigating a tough schedule with poise. Oregon’s rise has been built on a balanced attack that includes standout performances from junior infielder Sabin Ceballos and left-hander RJ Gordon.

A recent sweep of Arizona State underscored Oregon’s ability to perform under pressure. The Ducks now lead the Pac-12 standings and are eyeing their first conference title since joining the league in 1964.

“We’ve worked hard to build a culture that believes in itself,” head coach Mark Wasikowski said. “Now we’re seeing the results.”

With LSU, Texas, and Arkansas all residing in the top five—and additional SEC squads like Vanderbilt and South Carolina lurking in the top 10—the league once again reaffirms its position as the sport’s dominant conference. Every weekend series features future MLB talent and postseason implications.

Even teams sitting outside the top 10, such as Florida and Tennessee, remain dangerous with the talent to pull off upsets and make noise in the SEC tournament.

The emergence of Texas, which will officially join the SEC in 2025, only adds to the conference’s already fearsome depth. Their rise has fueled speculation that the future of college baseball might include several all-SEC matchups deep into June.

1. LSU (37-7) – Dominant and deep, the Tigers remain the gold standard.
2. Texas (35-9) – Elite pitching and timely hitting power the Longhorns’ rise.
3. North Carolina (34-10) – Balanced and dangerous, UNC is primed for a top seed.
4. Arkansas (33-11) – Veteran leadership and pitching depth spark resurgence.
5. Oregon (32-9) – The Ducks are quietly making a case out West.
6. Vanderbilt (31-11) – Steady under Tim Corbin, the Commodores remain dangerous.
7. South Carolina (30-13) – Gritty and efficient, the Gamecocks are in every game.
8. Florida State (29-14) – Slipped slightly but remains a top-10 caliber squad.
9. Tennessee (28-15) – Loaded with talent, the Vols could catch fire down the stretch.
10. Miami (27-16) – Their bats are heating up at the right time.

With just a few weekends remaining in the regular season, the pressure will intensify for every team in the top 25. LSU will face a stiff test from red-hot South Carolina, while Texas is set to host in-state rival TCU in a must-watch series. North Carolina will aim to stay hot against Miami, and Oregon has to travel to face an unpredictable UCLA squad.

Postseason seeding is very much up for grabs, and with the College World Series just around the corner, every game matters.

The latest USA TODAY Sports College Baseball Poll paints a picture of a shifting, exciting landscape. LSU remains the top dog, but Texas, North Carolina, Arkansas, and Oregon are closing the gap. The race for Omaha is as competitive as ever, with several teams holding legitimate national title hopes.

In the weeks to come, expect fireworks, upsets, and standout performances. For now, though, the Tigers wear the crown—deservedly so—but the chase is on.

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NCAA season. Coming off another impressive weekend in Southeastern Conference (SEC) play, the Tigers solidified their status as the No. 1 team in the nation, fending off a hard-charging Texas Longhorns squad that now occupies the No. 2 position. LSU’s consistency, Texas’ surge, and strong showings from North Carolina, Arkansas, and Oregon have reshaped the top tier of the rankings, signaling that the postseason race is heating up as the regular season enters its crucial final stretch.

The Tigers, under head coach Jay Johnson, have looked every bit the part of a national title contender. With a 37-7 overall record and a 16-5 mark in SEC play, LSU has shown it can win both high-scoring shootouts and tightly contested pitchers’ duels. The Tigers’ potent lineup, highlighted by future MLB draft picks like outfielder Paxton Kling and slugging infielder Tommy White, has delivered night after night. Meanwhile, ace pitcher Thatcher Hurd has anchored a rotation that combines electric velocity with impressive depth.

LSU’s recent series win over a scrappy Ole Miss squad, capped by a dominant Sunday performance, reaffirmed their grip on the top spot. While the Tigers dropped the opener in extra innings, they responded with back-to-back wins, showcasing their trademark resilience and elite coaching.

“Every week is a test in this league,” Johnson said following the series. “But these guys come ready to battle. We have the talent, yes—but the chemistry and drive have been special.”

The Texas Longhorns, long considered a sleeping giant this season, have officially arrived. A sweep of Georgia in Athens last weekend propelled the Longhorns to No. 2 in the USA TODAY poll, their highest ranking since early 2023. Head coach David Pierce’s team now sits at 35-9 overall, with a commanding presence atop the Big 12 standings.

It was Texas’ elite pitching staff that stole the spotlight in their series win over Georgia. Led by right-handed flamethrower Lucas Gordon and breakout closer Zane Morehouse, the Longhorns allowed just three runs across three games. That performance, against one of the SEC’s most disciplined lineups, sent a message to pollsters and fans alike: Texas is ready to challenge LSU.

Offensively, Texas is led by junior shortstop Jalin Flores and freshman phenom Travis Sanders. The duo combined for four home runs in the Georgia series and continue to spark a lineup that’s peaking at the right time.

“We knew this team had another gear,” Pierce said. “We’ve seen it in flashes, but now we’re seeing consistency. It’s fun to watch.”

The North Carolina Tar Heels surged to No. 3 in the latest poll following an impressive series win over ACC rival Florida State. UNC boasts a 34-10 record and has now won eight of its last nine games. The Tar Heels’ rise has been fueled by a deep offense, anchored by junior catcher Tomas Frick and the electric Vance Honeycutt, who has emerged as one of the nation’s top power-speed threats.

But it’s been the pitching staff, especially sophomore left-hander Connor Bovair, that’s helped UNC leap into the national conversation. Bovair tossed a two-hit shutout in the series opener against FSU, and his development has given the Heels a legitimate Friday night ace.

“We’re playing loose, but we’re locked in,” Honeycutt said. “We know we can play with anybody.”

The Tar Heels are positioning themselves for a top-eight national seed come NCAA Tournament time, with key matchups against Miami and NC State still on the horizon.

After an up-and-down start to the season, the Arkansas Razorbacks are climbing the rankings again, coming in at No. 4 this week. The Hogs swept Mississippi State over the weekend, using a blend of powerful hitting and lockdown bullpen work to re-establish themselves as a College World Series threat.

Dave Van Horn’s squad, now 33-11, is being led by slugger Kendall Diggs and steady second baseman Peyton Stovall. But perhaps the most important development has been the return of ace Will McEntire from injury. The right-hander looked sharp in five innings of work against MSU and appears to be rounding into form at the perfect time.

Arkansas’ rise also coincides with LSU and Texas potentially battling it out for the top overall seed. Should either falter, the Hogs may be next in line.

“This team’s battle-tested,” Van Horn said. “We’ve had our bumps, but we’re finding our stride.”

Rounding out the top five is Oregon, the lone Pac-12 team in this week’s top tier. The Ducks have been quietly dominant, posting a 32-9 record and navigating a tough schedule with poise. Oregon’s rise has been built on a balanced attack that includes standout performances from junior infielder Sabin Ceballos and left-hander RJ Gordon.

A recent sweep of Arizona State underscored Oregon’s ability to perform under pressure. The Ducks now lead the Pac-12 standings and are eyeing their first conference title since joining the league in 1964.

“We’ve worked hard to build a culture that believes in itself,” head coach Mark Wasikowski said. “Now we’re seeing the results.”

With LSU, Texas, and Arkansas all residing in the top five—and additional SEC squads like Vanderbilt and South Carolina lurking in the top 10—the league once again reaffirms its position as the sport’s dominant conference. Every weekend series features future MLB talent and postseason implications.

Even teams sitting outside the top 10, such as Florida and Tennessee, remain dangerous with the talent to pull off upsets and make noise in the SEC tournament.

The emergence of Texas, which will officially join the SEC in 2025, only adds to the conference’s already fearsome depth. Their rise has fueled speculation that the future of college baseball might include several all-SEC matchups deep into June.

1. LSU (37-7) – Dominant and deep, the Tigers remain the gold standard.
2. Texas (35-9) – Elite pitching and timely hitting power the Longhorns’ rise.
3. North Carolina (34-10) – Balanced and dangerous, UNC is primed for a top seed.
4. Arkansas (33-11) – Veteran leadership and pitching depth spark resurgence.
5. Oregon (32-9) – The Ducks are quietly making a case out West.
6. Vanderbilt (31-11) – Steady under Tim Corbin, the Commodores remain dangerous.
7. South Carolina (30-13) – Gritty and efficient, the Gamecocks are in every game.
8. Florida State (29-14) – Slipped slightly but remains a top-10 caliber squad.
9. Tennessee (28-15) – Loaded with talent, the Vols could catch fire down the stretch.
10. Miami (27-16) – Their bats are heating up at the right time.

With just a few weekends remaining in the regular season, the pressure will intensify for every team in the top 25. LSU will face a stiff test from red-hot South Carolina, while Texas is set to host in-state rival TCU in a must-watch series. North Carolina will aim to stay hot against Miami, and Oregon has to travel to face an unpredictable UCLA squad.

Postseason seeding is very much up for grabs, and with the College World Series just around the corner, every game matters.

The latest USA TODAY Sports College Baseball Poll paints a picture of a shifting, exciting landscape. LSU remains the top dog, but Texas, North Carolina, Arkansas, and Oregon are closing the gap. The race for Omaha is as competitive as ever, with several teams holding legitimate national title hopes.

In the weeks to come, expect fireworks, upsets, and standout performances. For now, though, the Tigers wear the crown—deservedly so—but the chase is on.