SNAFU
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Dec 2, 2011
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1. A&M
2. Arky
3. UVA
4. LSU
5. Tennessee
Why they’re ranked here: The 2024 national champions had to reload over the summer, but coach Tony Vitello and his staff accumulate talent as well as anyone in the country. They hit the portal hard, bringing in high-profile players like infielders Andrew Fischer (Ole Miss) and Gavin Kilen (Louisville) and left-hander Liam Doyle (Ole Miss) to pair with returners like center fielder Hunter Ensley, Freshman All-American shortstop Dean Curley and right-hander Nate Snead.
Why there’s room for improvement: The last few national champions have struggled to maintain an elite level through significant roster turnover. Tennessee is not short on talent, but how quickly will the Vols jell, and who will emerge as leaders to replace Drew Beam, Blake Burke and Christian Moore?
Opposing coach: “Obviously they lost a couple first-round bats, but they added two top-three-rounders to the lineup through the portal. I’m sure there are other big arms there, but a few of those starters that pitched them (to the championship) are gone. What’s it going to be like on the mound? But they seem good.”
6. UF
7. FSU
8. Clemson
9. Oregon St.
10. UNC
11. Duke
12. UGA
13. Oregon
14. NC State
15. Arizona
16. Vandy
17. Wake Forest
18. Texas
19. Okie St.
20. Dallas Baptist
2. Arky
3. UVA
4. LSU
5. Tennessee
Why they’re ranked here: The 2024 national champions had to reload over the summer, but coach Tony Vitello and his staff accumulate talent as well as anyone in the country. They hit the portal hard, bringing in high-profile players like infielders Andrew Fischer (Ole Miss) and Gavin Kilen (Louisville) and left-hander Liam Doyle (Ole Miss) to pair with returners like center fielder Hunter Ensley, Freshman All-American shortstop Dean Curley and right-hander Nate Snead.
Why there’s room for improvement: The last few national champions have struggled to maintain an elite level through significant roster turnover. Tennessee is not short on talent, but how quickly will the Vols jell, and who will emerge as leaders to replace Drew Beam, Blake Burke and Christian Moore?
Opposing coach: “Obviously they lost a couple first-round bats, but they added two top-three-rounders to the lineup through the portal. I’m sure there are other big arms there, but a few of those starters that pitched them (to the championship) are gone. What’s it going to be like on the mound? But they seem good.”
6. UF
7. FSU
8. Clemson
9. Oregon St.
10. UNC
11. Duke
12. UGA
13. Oregon
14. NC State
15. Arizona
16. Vandy
17. Wake Forest
18. Texas
19. Okie St.
20. Dallas Baptist