The Aggies look like one of the most complete teams in the country while the Gators are scuffling after dropping another game, this time a ranked midweek matchup against in-state rival Florida State. The Aggies are also one of two teams remaining who are undefeated and while they might not remain so they are as poised as anyone to go on the road in Gainesville and take the series.
The Tigers (15-1) have gone about their business in a very blue-collar way and except for one crazy Friday night have been flawless. Cam Cannarella has been his usual electric self as he leads an offense that scores more than 8 runs per game and Tristan Bissetta has emerged to be the hottest stick in the lineup. They are not exceptional with the leather, but they have a sound rotation that gives the pitching staff length. The Blue Devils (14-3) have been on a steep upward trend for weeks now and encounter their second Top-10 matchup in a row to open ACC play. This team has a deep sense of self-confidence, are 3rd in the nation in home runs with 41 and boast one of the best bullpens in the nation. Charlie Beilenson has been automatic with a 0.00 ERA and 7 saves in 7 appearances with plenty of arms to get the ball to him. Duke plays excellent defense and has the better pen, so I think they take care of business at home.
Duke is coming off the best series win of the season, taking two of three on the road against previous No. 1 Wake Forest. The schedule doesn’t lighten up this week as they welcome a top ten Clemson team in their home opener. Clemson is a super complete team who only has one loss on the year and are well-positioned to pull off the upset.
Vin's Pick: Clemson
No. 7 Tennessee at No. 21 Alabama
You could say that the Vols (17-1) have been lurking in the shadows, but they have put up some loud numbers so far this year. Offensively, they are 2nd in the nation with 49 home runs and 4th in the nation with a 2.78 team ERA. Transfer Billy Amick has been as advertised with 9 home runs and 21 RBI heading into his first SEC series. They have yet to play a true road series, so this weekend will be a great measuring stick. The Crimson Tide (15-2) have exceeded external expectations so far and are playing like real a real force in the SEC West. Gage Miller carries a slash line of .478/.910/.548 leading a Top-10 offense that hits .343 and Alton Davis II is a force at the back end of the bullpen with 3 saves so far. These teams are incredibly similar, and this series should come down to the final pitch, but the Tennessee is looking like a Top-5 team right now.
Cozy’s Pick: Tennessee
This matchup features one of the top Friday night pitcher’s duels in the country as Alabama’s Ben Hess will go up against Tennessee’s Drew Beam. Whoever wins that duel will have a huge advantage but Alabama being the home team gives them a slight edfe that might be what it takes to get the edge in the series.
Vin's Pick: Alabama
No. 12 Auburn at No. 8 Vanderbilt
The Tigers (13-3) just seem to find different ways to win ball games, they do most everything well and typically don’t beat themselves. Ike Irish and Cooper McMurray are at the core of an offense that averages over 9.5 runs per game and they walk more than they strike out. The pitching rotation keeps them in the game but doesn’t really dominate opponents and the bullpen has been a “by committee” situation thus far. The Commodores (15-3) have one of the best 4-man rotations in the nation with Carter Holton, Devin Futrell, Bryce Cunningham, and JD Thompson who are a combined (9-0) on the year. Offensively, they have a real blend of power and speed as they are currently 7th in the nation with 45 stolen bases. The little things will be the deciding factor in this series and playing at home should give Vanderbilt the advantage they need.
Cozy’s Pick: Vanderbilt
This should be a very contested SEC matchup as Vanderbilt welcomes a very solid Auburn team to Nashville. Vanderbilt has had to deal with some injuries but still boast a deep lineup with talented starting pitching and I expect that to carry the Commodores in their first weekend of SEC play.
Vin's Pick: Vanderbilt
Notre Dame at No. 19 Florida State
The Irish (11-5) are looking to bounce back from getting swept by Virginia Tech in their ACC opening series a week ago. They have only played one home game in 2024 so far and are obviously used to playing on the road. They can hit the long ball and are 7th in the nation with 36 home runs and average over 9 runs per game. The pitching staff is still trying to find its footing and carries an inflated team ERA of 6.73 which doesn’t bode well in Tallahassee. The Seminoles (15-0) defeated archrival Florida in the mid-week and are one of only two undefeated D1 teams left in the nation. The baseball world is just now starting to appreciate how good this club really is. They are 2nd in the nation with a .376 batting average, 4th in the nation in SLG% and runs per game, while they are 6th in team ERA and 2nd in Ks per game. The way things add up, it looks like FSU will still be undefeated heading into next week.
Cozy’s Pick: Florida State
Florida State is one of two remaining undefeated teams left in Division I, along with Texas A&M, and they start ACC play by welcoming Notre Dame to Tallahassee. The Noles look like one of the best offensive teams in the country right now and with a healthy starting staff I expect them to take care of business against the Irish.
Vin's Pick: Florida State
Arizona State at Arizona
Things haven’t gotten on track for the Sun Devils (7-9) and they lost their first Pac-12 series at home last weekend to Oregon. There is plenty of talent on the roster and Brandon Compton is off to an outrageous start with the stick, batting .389 with 4 home runs and 19 RBI. The problem is they give up on average almost 2 stolen bases, 2 home runs and 6 walks per game. This just leaves them with very little margin for error. The Wildcats (7-8) took 2 of 3 from USC last weekend to open conference play and have been on their own rollercoaster of performance this spring. Mason White sets the tone at the plate with 7 home runs and 24 RBI, and they rely mostly on slugging to score. The rotation is rounding into shape and there are some lingering questions in the bullpen. This weekend feels like a time where both teams would like to find their identity, Arizona plays well at home and should take this battle of old foes.
Cozy’s Pick: Arizona
Both Arizona teams have seen better days but that doesn’t diminish the rivalry here between the Cats and the Sun Devils. Arizona is coming off a series win to start Pac-12 play by defeating USC and the Wildcats have both the momentum advantage as well as the home field advantage in this matchup.
Vin's Pick: Arizona