Louisiana dropped last night’s opener, but should still take this series at home. Ryland Bozenhart turned in a spirited effort last Saturday for USA but the bullpen behind him fell apart. Needless to say, the UL bats need to get going and dig deeper into the Jags’ bullpen. NC State nudged by yesterday but bats will prevail. They’re in line to host a regional come May.

Louisville appears to have course-corrected on paper after that head-scratching opening weekend series loss to Michigan State, but the Cards have yet to show it against a quality opponent. Notre Dame is a quality team with a dangerous lineup (one that won it a 14-11 decision last night). Targeting a team I believe should be favored here.

Power ratings point to MO State here, who go against Liberty’s No. 2, Jaxon Lucas (1-1, 5.29 ERA). Last night’s game was a pitcher’s duel won by MO State, I expect more runs here. Bears bring in 125 wRC+, 26th-best in the country.

Ty Brachbill takes the mound for High Point. He carries a 3.12 ERA and a perfect 4-0 record in starts. This is a lofty total considering HPU hasn’t played a Saturday game that crossed nine runs yet this year.

Other books are marching here. I anticipate TN will close worse than even.

Appraisals for this game are all over the place, with Nebraska being as high as -115. DSR ranks Nebraska 50 spots ahead of the Shockers and Massey, 40 spots. The Huskers won, 8-1, last night and we’re asking for pitching depth. The Huskers clear in that category.

Santa Clara has passed UConn in power ratings. The Huskies, at just 9-11, are 115th in Massey and 106th in DSR. They also play their fifth straight West Coast game and dropped the weekend series to Portland (115th in DSR). Santa Clara probably takes another pitch-by-committee approach tonight, which has led to a 2-0 weeknight record allowing just 9 total runs (3 to red-hot Pitt last week). Great spot for the home ‘dog.

Charlotte is simply the superior team here. They rank 44 spots better in Massey and 71 spots better in DSR. The 49ers have played the tougher schedule, by far. 6-foot-5 righty Matthew Cuccuas makes his fifth start and his composite performance is pretty good (4.35 xFIP and 28.9% K) but he allowed six ER on eight hits his last two outings (10 IP). When faced with competent pitching, the Shockers’ offense slows down — they scored two combined runs this week against Nebraska (compare to 77 in four games vs. Butler last weekend).

Full writeup coming soon to Action Network.

Full writeup coming soon to Action Network.

Full writeup coming soon to Action Network.

Full writeup coming soon to Action Network.

Full writeup coming soon to Action Network.

Full writeup coming soon to Action Network.

Full writeup coming soon to Action Network.

Full writeup coming soon to Action Network.

UAB off to scorching start with wins over Florida and two over Cincinnati. Bats are effective and bullpen is solid. Perhaps an overreaction, but rather get ahead on this number.

WVU avoids Arizona and Oklahoma State in conference play and hosts TCU to close the regular season. Draw 7 of bottom 8 according to preseason odds. B12 play starts with Baylor & BYU to gain momentum. Talented team highly spoke of but not represented in rankings. Return ace Chase Meyer, a first-team preseason AA selection. Good funding helped land a decent transfer class. Quietly landed atop the Big 12 last year and finished in the Super Regional for a second straight year.

Stud roster. This team fell short in another regional but has the talent to make a run at Omaha. High-end bats like Sawyer Strosnider and Noah Franco, high-end arms like Tommy LaPour and Mason Brassfield, and lots of returning contributors. Even without Louis Rodriguez (season-ending injury), Frogs have the depth in the bullpen to compete. Must score more runs against top arms and think another year with the core lineup will help.

Preseason No. 1 team not priced like it. Return 8 starters from last year’s Omaha team. Check all the boxes — star power, depth, and coaching.

Stellar start for USM that proves they’re not just hot, they’re excellent. Strong on both sides with a deep bullpen and potent lineup. Sun Belt schedule gives them the inside track to host a Regional — no Coastal until the postseason. Probably longest this number is going to be.

Return Golden Spikes favorite Roch Cholowsky and 8-of-9 starters from Omaha team last year. Pitching is solid, though depth of pen needs to show. Schedule is good balance of test (host TCU early, tourney vs. Tennessee, A&M, MSST) and manageable in Big Ten. Should contend for 40 wins again. Roster & staff understands how to win in postseason. Debuted as D1Baseball No. 1 team and is not priced like it everywhere.

Frogs return a strong nucleus. Last year bats were frustratingly silent but Bill Mosiello has a history of producing elite offenses. Sophomore class is as good as any. Tommy LaPour is a legitimate ace and bullpen is deep. Consistent program that has Omaha experience in the coaching staff.

Hired an elite coach in Brian O’Connor (Virginia). Few programs spend on baseball like Mississippi State and four straight disappointing seasons are followed by major buy-in. Big time transfer class with two high MLB prospects in Ace Reese and Jack Bauer.

Already one of the country’s most productive players brings his No. 1 WR to Miami and joins another alpha WR in Toney. Upgrades to OL and RB. Miami should remain near the top of preseason rankings and the high-profile nature of his breakup with Duke ensures Mensah’s name is known among voters. Miami should be favored in 11-of-12 games (sans at Notre Dame).

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Find this writeup on Action Network!

Find this writeup on Action Network!

Find this writeup on Action Network!

Importing ultra efficient schemes and players from Go6 schools is a viable strategy at the P4 level. See: - Vanderbilt/Pavia - Ole Miss/Trinidad Chambliss (D2 import) - Everything Curt Cignetti did at Indiana Eric Morris turned North Texas into the No. 1 PPD offense and Mestemaker into a household name. He brings top target Wyatt Young and Caleb Hawkins at RB. With such variability with transfers, we could see a return to “QB of No. 1 team” votes like with Mendoza last year. Getting ahead of a potential massive jump from OKST this year and 90-1 is a buy price.

Full writeup coming soon to Action Network.

Full writeup coming soon to Action Network.

Full writeup coming soon to Action Network. Flier.