As of Monday, “Perfect Game USA” updated their College Baseball rankings and West Virginia took a leap up to the fourth place spot. With West Virginia being the only Big 12 school in the top five and one of two Big 12 schools in the Top 25 this begs the question: Who are the three teams ahead of the Mountaineers?
The third-place Georgia Bulldogs have seen tremendous amounts of success this season due to a strong returning core of players, consistent success in SEC play, and a deep pitching rotation. The Bulldogs built prior momentum heading into this season after tallying a 43-win season in 2024. Wes Johnson has also retained key veteran players who continue to shine under the bright lights, giving the Bulldogs a well-oiled and overall balanced roster that is capable of contending for the NCAA title.
Perfect Game’s second ranked team hails from Baton Rouge, Louisiana and has fostered incredible Major League such as Paul Skenes. LSU started the 2025 baseball season ranked No. 3 in both the “D1 Baseball” and “USA Today Coaches Preseason Polls”. After a 43–23 finish in 2024, the Tigers have revamped their roster, bringing in a nation-leading nine top-100 transfers. This influx of transfers includes former UC-San Diego ace Anthony Eyanson and former Wofford right-handed pitcher Zac Cowan, these additions to the pitching staff have made LSU a powerhouse in arguably the most competitive conference in all of college baseball, the SEC. Position players like Infielder, Daniel Dickinson from Utah Valley, have added much needed depth to the LSU lineup, which was something the team lacked last season. Head coach Jay Johnson has emphasized the team’s depth and competition at every position, comparing his staff’s approach to a “Moneyball” approach. This strategic overhaul has positioned LSU as a formidable contender in the SEC and in the College Baseball World Series.
Finally, this team made a significant jump during the 2025 season and now find themselves as not only the top team in the country, but, the top contender to win the national title. Texas entered the 2025 season ranked as the No. 13 team in the country. Since then, the Longhorns have made significant strides, and they are now the No. 1 ranked team in the nation. The Longhorns have bolstered their roster with a strong transfer class and the return of standout players like Max Belyeu and Jalin Flores. Under the leadership of new head coach Jim Schlossnagle, formerly the coach of the Texas A&M Aggies, the team has shown resilience, including 16 comeback wins this season. The team’s recent sweep of their coach’s former Texas A&M Aggies highlights their season-long success at the hands of clutch performances and effective pitching, underscoring their potential as they aim for a national title.
While the competition and talent alike in the SEC are leaps and bounds better than that seen in the Big 12. The Mountaineers hold a unique position compared to many other teams in college baseball. Their deep roster can compete with anyone in collegiate baseball, and their continued resilience and record breaking win streaks have proven just that.
