Southeastern Conference (10 bids)
SAFELY IN: Florida, South Carolina, Alabama, Kentucky, LSU, Mississippi, Vanderbilt, Mississippi State
ON THE BUBBLE (IN): Texas A&M, Arkansas
ON THE BUBBLE (OUT): Auburn, Tennessee
One change from last week: Texas A&M replaces Tennessee in our field of 64.
The Aggies vaulted from No. 64 to No. 38 in the RPI after taking two of three at Mississippi State. Texas A&M has two quality road series wins in the last three weeks (at Vandy was the other), and a home series win against Florida in March is a huge boost. The Aggies are up to 10-11 in the SEC, and their remaining schedule is challenging, but at least two of their final three series are at home (vs. LSU this weekend, vs. Ole Miss in Week 14). In between, they travel to Arkansas. Every series is huge, and this picture can change quickly, but Texas A&Ms three marquee series wins are enough for us right now.
Dave Van Horn
Dave Van Horn (Photo by John Williamson)
Likewise, Arkansas hangs on to its at-large spot on the strength of three marquee series wins, against Vanderbilt, South Carolina and Alabamaall at home. A home series loss to Auburn this weekend was a setback, and now the Hogs must travel to Ole Miss, but the final two weeks are more favorable (vs. Texas A&M, at Missouri). Theyll need to win five of their last nine to climb into the top 45, and we think they can do it. That would also get them up to 15-15 in the SEC, which should be enough for an at-large spot.
Auburn certainly helped its chances by taking two of three at Arkansas, but the Tigers had lost their previous four series, and they remain just 9-12 in the league. And we dont love their chances to finish strong against a tough schedule (vs. Mississippi State, at Kentucky, vs. LSU).
Tennessee is in even worse shape in the league at 8-13, which undermines its strong RPI (No. 28). Like Auburn, the Volunteers have three tough series ahead, with two of them coming at home (vs. Kentucky, at MSU, vs. Florida). Tennessee now has too much work to do in the standings, and the road ahead looks too challenging.