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Baseball starts this week
Posted on 2/11/25 at 6:55 pm
Posted on 2/11/25 at 6:55 pm
SEC again is going to be a bloodbath. OU has some pitching and Skip is good at pacing/developing pitchers for the season.
Since 2020, Oklahoma baseball is 12-7 against SEC opponents. That's good for a .631 win percentage. Now, I don’t expect that to hold up. Playing in conf vs one offs is a different animal.
I have never seen this guys musings but he ranked the SEC teams so here you go:
16. Missouri
Sorry Mizzou, but it's past time y'all took baseball more seriously.
I really liked the new hire, but the SEC is hitting home-runs when it comes to the transfer portal, and you guys can't get the ball out of the infield.
Some nice JUCO additions, but bringing in the 15th ranked recruiting class isn't going to move the needle.
Ceiling: SEC Tourney
Floor: BAD
15. Maybe a hot take, but South Carolina.
The hire of Paul Mainieri was flashy, but I have a lot of doubts in the substance he will produce. Some really solid pieces on the roster, but not much in the way of transfers that will be needle moving.
The schedule is unforgiving this season with road games in Starkville, Fayettville, Auburn, Lexington, and College Station. Don't see many wins coming from the road.
Clemson, Tennessee, and LSU will also be really hard games to win at home.
Ceiling: NCAA Regional
Floor: Last
14. This one was hard, but Alabama
I think Bama will be a very good team, don't get me wrong. The depth of the SEC is simply insane as usual.
I think they will cruise through the non-conference schedule though, SEC play hits hard and fast with A&M and Tennessee being the first two series.
Vaughn is a great coach and I think he will have the program up and going again soon. They should be really good on the mound.
Ceiling: Supers
Floor: Missed Tourney
13. Oklahoma.
Welcome to SEC baseball sooners.
Oklahoma is another one of those teams (They all are) loaded with talent.
They were the top team in the Big 12 last year, but that is significantly different to what they'll face in the SEC this season.
Even last year, they lost their own regional to UConn, and got swept by Lamar (Lamar was good, still.)
The schedule sets up semi-favorable for them this season, so won't be shocked if they pull out a better spot than 13.
Ceiling: Supers
Floor: Missed Tourney
12. Another hot take, TEXAS.
Karma is a .... well ya know.
Real talk, Texas baseball was my favorite thing about the new SEC. What a program.
Texas is actually insanely talented, and I feel confident that they will make the tournament, but the schedule is brutal.
They open up SEC play in Starkville, and then head home to meet LSU. They get some favorable home games so it wouldn't be a surprise to see them knock off some of these pre-season top teams.
Also, WILL BEDNAR OWNS YOUR PROGRAM.
Ceiling: Omaha
Floor: Regionals
11. Kentucky.
Another team I am confident will be in the post-season.
I really like Mingione, and think he's one of the best coaches in the country. Winning at Kentucky is very hard and he's done just that.
I think they take a small step back from the magical season they had last year, but you definitely don't want to have them in your regional come time.
Ceiling: Omaha
Floor: Regionals
10. Ole Miss
I think Ole Miss bounces back this season and is back in the tournament.
Their road games are super favorable, and the addition of a pitching coach could be a game changer for them.
If they don't make it to the post-season, they will for sure have a new HC next year.
Ceiling: Omaha
Floor: Missed Tourney
9. Auburn
Butch Thompson is another one of those guys who has done an amazing job at a historically bad program.
I think Auburn bounces back big this season and steals a few highly coveted series at home.
They will have some heavy hitters behind the plate, and I think they see great improvement on the mound over last year.
However, with that schedule they could easily find themselves on the wrong end of a few close games.
I have them at 9 because I think the ceiling is Omaha, but I also think they are one of the more vulnerable teams that could slip back down.
Ceiling: Omaha
Floor: Missed Tourney
Since 2020, Oklahoma baseball is 12-7 against SEC opponents. That's good for a .631 win percentage. Now, I don’t expect that to hold up. Playing in conf vs one offs is a different animal.
I have never seen this guys musings but he ranked the SEC teams so here you go:
16. Missouri
Sorry Mizzou, but it's past time y'all took baseball more seriously.
I really liked the new hire, but the SEC is hitting home-runs when it comes to the transfer portal, and you guys can't get the ball out of the infield.
Some nice JUCO additions, but bringing in the 15th ranked recruiting class isn't going to move the needle.
Ceiling: SEC Tourney
Floor: BAD
15. Maybe a hot take, but South Carolina.
The hire of Paul Mainieri was flashy, but I have a lot of doubts in the substance he will produce. Some really solid pieces on the roster, but not much in the way of transfers that will be needle moving.
The schedule is unforgiving this season with road games in Starkville, Fayettville, Auburn, Lexington, and College Station. Don't see many wins coming from the road.
Clemson, Tennessee, and LSU will also be really hard games to win at home.
Ceiling: NCAA Regional
Floor: Last
14. This one was hard, but Alabama
I think Bama will be a very good team, don't get me wrong. The depth of the SEC is simply insane as usual.
I think they will cruise through the non-conference schedule though, SEC play hits hard and fast with A&M and Tennessee being the first two series.
Vaughn is a great coach and I think he will have the program up and going again soon. They should be really good on the mound.
Ceiling: Supers
Floor: Missed Tourney
13. Oklahoma.
Welcome to SEC baseball sooners.
Oklahoma is another one of those teams (They all are) loaded with talent.
They were the top team in the Big 12 last year, but that is significantly different to what they'll face in the SEC this season.
Even last year, they lost their own regional to UConn, and got swept by Lamar (Lamar was good, still.)
The schedule sets up semi-favorable for them this season, so won't be shocked if they pull out a better spot than 13.
Ceiling: Supers
Floor: Missed Tourney
12. Another hot take, TEXAS.
Karma is a .... well ya know.
Real talk, Texas baseball was my favorite thing about the new SEC. What a program.
Texas is actually insanely talented, and I feel confident that they will make the tournament, but the schedule is brutal.
They open up SEC play in Starkville, and then head home to meet LSU. They get some favorable home games so it wouldn't be a surprise to see them knock off some of these pre-season top teams.
Also, WILL BEDNAR OWNS YOUR PROGRAM.
Ceiling: Omaha
Floor: Regionals
11. Kentucky.
Another team I am confident will be in the post-season.
I really like Mingione, and think he's one of the best coaches in the country. Winning at Kentucky is very hard and he's done just that.
I think they take a small step back from the magical season they had last year, but you definitely don't want to have them in your regional come time.
Ceiling: Omaha
Floor: Regionals
10. Ole Miss
I think Ole Miss bounces back this season and is back in the tournament.
Their road games are super favorable, and the addition of a pitching coach could be a game changer for them.
If they don't make it to the post-season, they will for sure have a new HC next year.
Ceiling: Omaha
Floor: Missed Tourney
9. Auburn
Butch Thompson is another one of those guys who has done an amazing job at a historically bad program.
I think Auburn bounces back big this season and steals a few highly coveted series at home.
They will have some heavy hitters behind the plate, and I think they see great improvement on the mound over last year.
However, with that schedule they could easily find themselves on the wrong end of a few close games.
I have them at 9 because I think the ceiling is Omaha, but I also think they are one of the more vulnerable teams that could slip back down.
Ceiling: Omaha
Floor: Missed Tourney
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If tweet fails to load, click here. This post was edited on 2/11/25 at 7:01 pm
10
Posted on 2/11/25 at 6:55 pm to OU Guy
Cont…
8. Georgia.
Georgia finished 6th in the SEC last year with one of the best players in college baseball.
I think they will still be very good, and they have a lot of good players left from last year's team, but I see them taking a small step back this year.
Would not be surprised to see them rolling come May.
Ceiling: Omaha
Floor: Regionals
7. Vanderbilt.
I think Vandy & Tim Corbin have been trending in the wrong direction since Mississippi State dominated them to win the 2021 National Championship.
They will have a good squad this year, but I wouldn't call them elite.
Ceiling: Omaha
Floor: Regionals
6. Mississippi State
My home-team bias wanted to put us higher, but I strayed away from it.
I think the diamond dawgs look good this year, and I think the product on the mound will surprise some folks. Justin Parker is a magician.
I see us improving over last year at the plate, and I think Ross Highfill is one of the more underrated guys nationally that will shine this season.
Ceiling: Omaha
Floor: Regionals
5. Florida
Florida lost Caglianone, but still returns a great roster this season. I see the potential for them to compete for the SEC title, and the schedule works out pretty well for it.
Kevin O'Sullivan has more Omaha appearances than most programs. You can never really count them out.
Ceiling: Omaha
Floor: Supers
4. LSU
LSU is loaded, as usual.
The top 4 is really difficult to pick, I put LSU at 4 based off vibes TBH.
I think they hit a lot of home-runs, and look great on the mound.
Their schedule is favorable in comparison to some, but they do travel to College Station and host Tennessee, Arkansas, and State. I think they drop a majority of those series which is why I put them at 4.
P.S. Mississippi State owns Jay Johnson @ LSU
Ceiling: Omaha & SEC Champs
Floor: Supers
3. Texas A&M
They are kind of the media darling of the pre-season, and it is well deserved.
The roster is stacked, and I would be confident they find themselves competing for the SEC title come season's end.
My only reason for having them at #3 is that they travel to Knoxville, and Fayetteville. I think those two series take away their chances at the title.
Ceiling: Omaha & SEC Champs
Floor: Regionals
2. Tennessee.
Vitello has made Tennessee a permanent resident at the top of the SEC, and I don't think that's going anywhere.
They will have a lot of blockbuster series this year, and the line of them being elite or not is if they can steal the series in Baton Rouge, and not slip up in Tuscaloosa again.
Celing: Omaha & SEC Champs
Floor: Supers
1. Arkansas
Arkansas has all of the ingredients for a legendary team.
If they can string together a good season at the plate, there are very few that can beat them.
Arkansas is my favorite for the title this year in the SEC and nationally.
If DVH doesn't get it this year, I feel confident he never will.
Ceiling: National Champs
Floor: Upset in a regional.
8. Georgia.
Georgia finished 6th in the SEC last year with one of the best players in college baseball.
I think they will still be very good, and they have a lot of good players left from last year's team, but I see them taking a small step back this year.
Would not be surprised to see them rolling come May.
Ceiling: Omaha
Floor: Regionals
7. Vanderbilt.
I think Vandy & Tim Corbin have been trending in the wrong direction since Mississippi State dominated them to win the 2021 National Championship.
They will have a good squad this year, but I wouldn't call them elite.
Ceiling: Omaha
Floor: Regionals
6. Mississippi State
My home-team bias wanted to put us higher, but I strayed away from it.
I think the diamond dawgs look good this year, and I think the product on the mound will surprise some folks. Justin Parker is a magician.
I see us improving over last year at the plate, and I think Ross Highfill is one of the more underrated guys nationally that will shine this season.
Ceiling: Omaha
Floor: Regionals
5. Florida
Florida lost Caglianone, but still returns a great roster this season. I see the potential for them to compete for the SEC title, and the schedule works out pretty well for it.
Kevin O'Sullivan has more Omaha appearances than most programs. You can never really count them out.
Ceiling: Omaha
Floor: Supers
4. LSU
LSU is loaded, as usual.
The top 4 is really difficult to pick, I put LSU at 4 based off vibes TBH.
I think they hit a lot of home-runs, and look great on the mound.
Their schedule is favorable in comparison to some, but they do travel to College Station and host Tennessee, Arkansas, and State. I think they drop a majority of those series which is why I put them at 4.
P.S. Mississippi State owns Jay Johnson @ LSU
Ceiling: Omaha & SEC Champs
Floor: Supers
3. Texas A&M
They are kind of the media darling of the pre-season, and it is well deserved.
The roster is stacked, and I would be confident they find themselves competing for the SEC title come season's end.
My only reason for having them at #3 is that they travel to Knoxville, and Fayetteville. I think those two series take away their chances at the title.
Ceiling: Omaha & SEC Champs
Floor: Regionals
2. Tennessee.
Vitello has made Tennessee a permanent resident at the top of the SEC, and I don't think that's going anywhere.
They will have a lot of blockbuster series this year, and the line of them being elite or not is if they can steal the series in Baton Rouge, and not slip up in Tuscaloosa again.
Celing: Omaha & SEC Champs
Floor: Supers
1. Arkansas
Arkansas has all of the ingredients for a legendary team.
If they can string together a good season at the plate, there are very few that can beat them.
Arkansas is my favorite for the title this year in the SEC and nationally.
If DVH doesn't get it this year, I feel confident he never will.
Ceiling: National Champs
Floor: Upset in a regional.
This post was edited on 2/11/25 at 7:05 pm
Posted on 2/11/25 at 6:58 pm to OU Guy
We don't take reservations. Those belong in Oklahoma.
Posted on 2/11/25 at 7:16 pm to Faurot fodder
Last year 8 teams hosted a Regional. How well we do there as a conference is really the first goal for everyone all season.
This post was edited on 2/11/25 at 7:17 pm
Posted on 2/11/25 at 7:22 pm to OU Guy
quote:
Ceiling: SEC Tourney
Doesn’t the entire conference play in the SEC tournament this year?
Posted on 2/11/25 at 7:25 pm to OU Guy
quote:
P.S. Mississippi State owns Jay Johnson @ LSU
JJ is 5-4 against State, though they did take the last 2 series. The meltdown in game 3 in 2023 may have been what our team needed to get things together in route to the CWS title.
Posted on 2/11/25 at 7:27 pm to MSU44
quote:
Doesn’t the entire conference play in the SEC tournament this year?
Yes. Guess it means no further
Posted on 2/11/25 at 7:52 pm to OU Guy
lol....this take will be very off about South Carolina.
Posted on 2/11/25 at 7:56 pm to OU Guy
Oklahoma
Is severely underrated this year. There is some talk this is the best pitching staff and roster OU has ever had .
Zero chance OU finished 13th zero
Is severely underrated this year. There is some talk this is the best pitching staff and roster OU has ever had .
Zero chance OU finished 13th zero
This post was edited on 2/11/25 at 7:58 pm
Posted on 2/11/25 at 8:18 pm to OU Guy
quote:
9. Auburn
Butch Thompson is another one of those guys who has done an amazing job at a historically bad program.
I’m sorry but 6 trips to Obama is not “historically bad”. That ranks for 27th nationally.
Great? No. But historically bad? Certainly not.
Posted on 2/11/25 at 8:24 pm to OU Guy
quote:
1. Arkansas
Arkansas has all of the ingredients for a legendary team.
Shame on you and your jinx-ism.
Posted on 2/11/25 at 8:35 pm to OU Guy
theres probly 4-5 teams whose ceiling is national champs but he only chooses....arkansas?
Posted on 2/11/25 at 9:07 pm to Warwick
quote:
theres probly 4-5 teams whose ceiling is national champs but he only chooses....arkansas?
You can have that bad juju brother, I sure don’t want it…..
Posted on 2/11/25 at 9:13 pm to OU Guy
We'll be adding #8 to the resume.
Posted on 2/11/25 at 9:53 pm to OU Guy
Don’t you put that on me, Ricky Bobby!
Posted on 2/11/25 at 9:53 pm to GamecockUltimate
quote:
lol....this take will be very off about South Carolina.
You will soon learn the frustrations LSU fans had with Paul
Posted on 2/11/25 at 10:12 pm to Soonerd78
quote:
Oklahoma
Is severely underrated this year. There is some talk this is the best pitching staff and roster OU has ever had .
Zero chance OU finished 13th zero
Football: Zero chance OU goes 6-6. Zero.
Basketball: Zero chance OU tanks after being undefeated in non-con. Zero.
You goobers never learn do you
Posted on 2/11/25 at 10:19 pm to OU Guy
Might be giving us too much credit. After we won the title we lost everyone. And Bianco hasn’t been able to put the pieces back together. And to be fair to him we have put our NIL dollars into football and basketball. He hasn’t had a lot of help in the new era.
Posted on 2/12/25 at 10:47 am to Rebbedup
Posted on 2/12/25 at 11:41 am to OU Guy
quote:
8. Georgia. Georgia finished 6th in the SEC last year with one of the best players in college baseball. I think they will still be very good, and they have a lot of good players left from last year's team, but I see them taking a small step back this year.
For what we lose in Condon, we are going to make up for in spades in improved pitching and defense. Idk if we will post the same power numbers as last year but we aren’t going to drop off that bad in offense, either, based on how Wes played the portal and who we return. All to say, this team will be different from last year but much more well rounded.
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