The 2025 NCAA Baseball Rankings: Changes within a Season of Upsets
The 2025 NCAA baseball season has been one of surprises, with preseason favorites losing steam and Cinderella teams asserting themselves. As the College World Series looms, the race for the top is open for business.
Front-running at the start of the season were Texas A&M, LSU, and Tennessee, all of whom had the combination of veteran returnees and game-altering transfer talent. It was in the hands of Texas A&M head coach Michael Earley that this team showed strength early on, as LSU and Tennessee employed previous College World Series experience to maintain their position as top contenders.
As the season continued, new challengers emerged and shook up the rankings. Georgia has been among the largest surprise risers, using a pitching staff that runs deep and a nasty offense to secure a position in the top five. Florida State, rising as well, remains undefeated, demonstrating
its ability to play with the best. Virginia has continued to play solidly consistently, solidifying its position in the top rank.
Some preseason favorites have been unable to sustain the momentum. Arkansas and Florida have been inconsistent, showing flashes of brilliance but losing some crucial games. Texas A&M, which started well, has seen its ranking fluctuate with some surprise defeats. Arizona and Indiana, ranked at one time, have dropped out completely due to midseason play.
One of the best surprises has been the entry of mid-major schools. UC Santa Barbara and Dallas Baptist have entered the rankings, proving that there is more talent outside of the power conferences. Their games prove that there is greater depth in NCAA baseball now, with good development programs being able to hold their own with even the most conventional schools.
With the College World Series on the horizon, the battle for supremacy remains hot. The likes of Tennessee, Georgia, and Florida State have positioned themselves as legitimate championship contenders, while others will fight to regain momentum. The unpredictability of the season has made it one of the most captivating in history, with more upsets and reversals of fortune likely before the season wraps up.
