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2008 PRESEASON

Next June a new octuplet of teams will be playing for the right to hoist the national championship trophy high and enshrine their school’s name in the annals of college baseball. Predicting who will be back in Omaha is just tricky as forecasting the Nebraska weather.

The only thing we can be certain of is that nothing is certain. For every LSU or Arizona State that is able to consistently make it back to the College World Series, a Missouri State (2003), San Jose State (2000) or Citadel (1990) ballclub is able to defeat the odds and make a run to greatness. Last year Angelo State was able to reach the DII CWS in just their third year of playing baseball.

Last year we were able to forecast two of the eight College World Series teams (Rice & North Carolina) before the first pitch of the season was thrown, with another CWS twosome (Fullerton and Arizona State) in the top twenty. Regrettably Oregon State was left out of the top 25, but we (like many others) figured the Beavers were a year away from a return to Omaha. As for Louisville, UC Irvine and Mississippi State, their crashing of the Series is what makes college baseball so exciting. Once the field of 64 is set, each team has an equal opportunity to advance and is just a pair of weekends away from making it to Rosenblatt.

Below are Ping!’s choices as the teams most likely to be playing in the 2008 College World Series.

Ping!Baseball College Baseball Rankings - Updated December 17, 2007

Rank Team Comment
1 Arizona State: Tthe outlook is sunny in ’08 as the Devils will be coupling an experienced core of established players with yet another highly touted recruiting class for another run to Rosenblatt. The outlook is sunny in ’08 as the Devils will be coupling an experienced core of established players with yet another highly touted recruiting class for another run to Rosenblatt.
2 Vanderbilt: Vanderbilt will be looking for more in 2008 and with a player of the year candidate and three USA Baseball National Team members returning, it is very probable they’ll get it. Vanderbilt will be looking for more in 2008 and with a player of the year candidate and three USA Baseball National Team members returning, it is very probable they’ll get it.
3 Oregon State: The Beavers will have to overcome big losses once again, but the pitching tandem of Mike Stutes and Jorge Reyes will return and has fans in Corvallis making return reservations for Omaha. The Beavers will have to overcome big losses once again, but the pitching tandem of Mike Stutes and Jorge Reyes will return and has fans in Corvallis making return reservations for Omaha.
4 Miami FL: With an extra season of experience behind them, the Hurricanes will be looking to fulfill last year’s prophecy that will have them playing in Omaha for the 12th time since 1990. With an extra season of experience behind them, the Hurricanes will be looking to fulfill last year’s prophecy that will have them playing in Omaha for the 12th time since 1990.
5 North Carolina: UNC’s roster took a big hit in the off season, but a more than capable lineup returns to Chapel Hill which should have the Tar Heels back in contention for another ACC crown and return to Omaha. UNC’s roster took a big hit in the off season, but a more than capable lineup returns to Chapel Hill which should have the Tar Heels back in contention for another ACC crown and return to Omaha.
6 South Carolina: With an arsenel of bats returning to campus in ’08, South Carolina must be on any shortlist of title contender teams as they regroup and reload for the new season. With an arsenel of bats returning to campus in ’08, South Carolina must be on any shortlist of title contender teams as they regroup and reload for the new season.
7 Mississippi: Fueled by one of the most potent offensive lineups in the nation and a talented staff of arms that rival any in the nation, Ole Miss will compete for top ten votes all year. Fueled by one of the most potent offensive lineups in the nation and a talented staff of arms that rival any in the nation, Ole Miss will compete for top ten votes all year.
8 UCLA: Eight of UCLA's 10 starters will return to the team in 2008. The Bruin offense has the potential to be one of the most explosive lineups in the West if not the county. Eight of UCLA's 10 starters will return to the team in 2008. The Bruin offense has the potential to be one of the most explosive lineups in the West if not the county.
9 Long Beach State: Long Beach State fielded a ballclub short on experience but long in ability in 2007, challenged with one of the most demanding schedules in the nation. The bulk of the team returns to campus in 2008, with only two starters not headed back to the be Long Beach State fielded a ballclub short on experience but long in ability in 2007, challenged with one of the most demanding schedules in the nation. Only two '07 are starters not headed back to the beach.
10 Virginia: A potent group of Cavaliers, led by one of the best arms in baseball returning in Jacob Thompson, will be taking the diamond making a postseason trip to Omaha, a definite possibility. A potent group of Cavaliers, led by one of the best arms in baseball returning in Jacob Thompson, will be taking the diamond making a postseason trip to Omaha, a definite possibility.
11 Rice: A phenomenal pitching staff returns for head coach Wayne Graham, but much of the offense left campus to pursue professional baseball. However enough veterans and new talent will be in Houston to make Rice a strong title contender. A phenomenal pitching staff returns for head coach Wayne Graham, but much of the offense left campus to pursue professional baseball. However enough veterans and new talent will be in Houston to make Rice a strong title contender.
12 Wichita State: The Shockers are strong candidate to make it back to the CWS for the first time since 1996 when they concluded a streak of making it to Omaha six out of nine years. WSU should certainly continue their streak of winning 40 games for the 31st consecuti The Shockers are strong candidate to make it back to the CWS for the first time since 1996 when they concluded a streak of making it to Omaha six out of nine years.
13 Missouri: A phenomenal core of players, including two of the nation's premier pitching prospects, return to Columbia and should keep Mizzou in contention for another run to Rosenblatt. A phenomenal core of players, including two of the nation's premier pitching prospects, return to Columbia and should keep Mizzou in contention for a run to Rosenblatt.
14 Florida State: A number of big bats will return to Tallahassee in ‘08 including catcher Buster Posey, third baseman Jason Stidham and outfielder Jack Rye. Despite 19 trips to Omaha, FSU has yet to capture a CWS title. A number of big bats will return to Tallahassee in ‘08 including catcher Buster Posey, third baseman Jason Stidham and outfielder Jack Rye. Despite 19 trips to Omaha, FSU has yet to capture a CWS title.
15 San Diego: The Toreros return one of the best weekend rotations in the nation, but the offense has some holes to fill as USD lost their three best run producers. The Toreros return one of the best weekend rotations in the nation, but the offense has some holes to fill as USD lost their three best run producers.
16 Baylor: Now that one of the most highly touted incoming classes in the nation has had a season to blossom, the Bears will be looking to return to Omaha after a two year absence. Now that one of the most highly touted incoming classes in the nation has had a season to blossom, the Bears will be looking to return to Omaha after a two year absence.
17 Louisiana Lafayette: The four top starters for the Cajuns will return to Lafayette, led by senior Hunter Moody and junior Danny Farquhar. If head coach Tony Robichaux can gel and stimulate this spicy group from the South, look for the Cajuns to be cooking in Omaha. The four top starters for the Cajuns will return to Lafayette, led by senior Hunter Moody and junior Danny Farquhar. If this spicy group from the South gels, look for the Cajuns to be cooking in Omaha.
18 Texas: Look for last year's close Regional loss, the reopening of renovated UFCU Disch-Falk Field and the return of national homerun leader Kyle Russell to spur to 'Horns back to title contention. Pitching staff will make or break the season. Look for last year's close Regional loss, the reopening of renovated UFCU Disch-Falk Field and the return of national homerun leader Kyle Russell to spur to 'Horns back to title contention. Pitching staff will make or break the season.
19 Costal Carolina: Coach Gary Gilmore’s Coastal Carolina Chanticleers have quietly become one of the premier teams in the nation. The ’07 Chants had a number of seniors whose contributions will be greatly missed, however a ton of talent remains. Coach Gary Gilmore’s Coastal Carolina Chanticleers have quietly become one of the premier teams in the nation. The ’07 Chants had a number of seniors whose contributions will be greatly missed, however a ton of talent remains.
20 NC State: After being ranked in second half of the top 20 for most of 2007, the Wolfpack have both the pitching and power to take the next step. The staff was already formidable when senior Eryk McConnell decided to return to campus. After being ranked in second half of the top 30 for most of 2007, the Wolfpack have both the pitching and power to take the next step. The staff was already formidable when senior Eryk McConnell decided to return to campus.
21 Michigan: Teams from the North are always trendy picks to go the distance, but Wolverine’s chances of playing in Rosenblatt are far from being a long shot. Michigan may be at the cusp of another streak of June visits to Omaha, much like they did in the 80’s. Teams from the North are always trendy picks to go the distance, but Wolverine’s chances of playing in Rosenblatt are far from being a long shot. Michigan may be at the cusp of another streak of June visits to Omaha, much like they did in the early 80’s.
22 Cal State Fullerton: Serrano should be able to fill Horton’s role on the bench, but the voids left by Roemer and Hardman may be too vast to overcome. New and young players will have to develop quicklyif the Titans wish to duplicate last year’s success. Coach Serrano should be able to fill Horton’s role on the bench, but the voids left by Wes Roemer and Clark Hardman may be too vast to overcome. New and young players will have to develop quickly if the Titans wish to duplicate last year’s success.
23 Arizona: Head coach Andy Lopez retains the majority of his lineup and the unanimous choice by the Pac-10 coaches as the league’s top pitcher, junior Preston Guilmet. Head coach Andy Lopez retains the majority of his lineup and the unanimous choice by the Pac-10 coaches as the league’s top pitcher, junior Preston Guilmet headed into 2008.
24 St. Johns: With a solid core of veteran players and a head coach who has been the BIG EAST Coach of the Year two of the last three seasons, 2008 could be the year St. John’s makes it back to the CWS for the first time since 1980. With a solid core of veteran players and a head coach who has been named the BIG EAST Coach of the Year two of the last three seasons, 2008 could be the year the Johnnies make it back to the CWS for the first time since 1980.
25 Creighton: Creighton has both the reigning Missouri Valley Player and Pitcher of the Year returning to campus in ‘08 and should once again continue to distinguish themselves as one of the premier baseball programs in the Midwest. Creighton has both the reigning Missouri Valley Player and Pitcher of the Year returning to campus in ‘08 and should once again continue to distinguish themselves as one of the premier baseball programs in the Midwest.
26 Wake Forest: The Demon Deacons return one of the most complete rosters in the country, with a number of veteran players who will be hoping to end their collegiate careers a long deep run into the post season. The Demon Deacons return one of the most complete rosters in the country, with a number of veteran players who will be hoping to end their collegiate careers a long deep run into the post season.
27 UC Irvine: There have been some major losses to the '08 roster which will make a return to Rosenblatt difficult. However ace Scott Gorgen and sparkplug Ollie Linton will be back for the 'Eaters. There have been some major losses to the '08 roster which will make a return to Rosenblatt difficult. However ace Scott Gorgen and sparkplug Ollie Linton will be back for the 'Eaters.
28 East Carolina: The Pirates have a number of players poised to have breakout seasons which should keep ECU in contention for a Conference USA title and an opportunity to host a Regional in the post season. The Pirates have a number of players poised to have breakout seasons which should keep ECU in contention for a Conference USA title and an opportunity to host a Regional in the post season.
29 Louisville: Though the Cardinals must replace several key offensive players, they enter fall workouts with weekend starters Justin Marks and Zack Pitts. Chris Dominguez hopes to solidify the offense, while transfer Andrew Clark should help immediately.

Though the Cardinals must replace several key offensive players, they enter fall workouts with weekend starters Justin Marks and Zack Pitts. Chris Dominguez hopes to solidify the offense, while transfer Andrew Clark should help immediately.
30 Mississippi State: MSU has a couple of strong, reliable arms who have the ability for breakouts years in ’08; they will need to for State to have any chance to make it back to Omaha. MSU has a couple of strong, reliable arms who have the ability for breakouts years in ’08; they will need to for State to have any chance to make it back to Omaha.