Florida did get a gift in an easy win over Kentucky to start the day, which meant they didn’t have to waste their best pitchers. But with A&M’s bullpen at full strength, winning a pair of games against a side that hasn’t lost yet will be a tall order for the Gators.
Being the last ACC team standing is exactly where Florida State expected to be at this point. Having to beat Tennessee twice to reach the finals isn’t.
One could argue that FSU shouldn’t even be in this position, given that the Seminoles were one checked swing away from beating Tennessee on the first day in Omaha. But that’s the hand they’ve been dealt, and now they’ve got some decisions to make.
The Panthers have the home crowd on their side, and they have every incentive to bury the Oilers right now. A loss means Florida has to head back to Alberta and face the Oilers, with Edmonton having new life in the series. There will be no rationalizing in this game; the Panthers will be a desperate team.
The Tar Heels led the ACC in ERA, while the Seminoles topped the conference in home runs and ranked second in batting average. Florida State’s bullpen is a little suspect, however, which could make it difficult for the Seminoles to hold on here.
Could we see our first sweep in a Stanley Cup Finals since 1998? It’s looking that way, given how Florida has seized control in this series. The Panthers continue to play a step ahead of the Oilers and have forced Edmonton to play their game, even as the Oilers got second change.
Florida State can play with Tennessee, and like Virginia, it kind of has to get a win here with ace Jamie Arnold on the mound.
The feeling in Germany has been much like the 2006 World Cup, when Germany hosted with little expectations. That side reached the semifinals and set the stage for German triumph in 2014. But even though the odds are low on Germany to win the title (+550), Die Mannschaft isn’t seen as a favorite by most experts.
While Virginia attempts to win a crown with Blanco, a bullpen and a bunch of bats, Carolina is far more well-rounded. And that might make the Heels the better pick to win the CWS — even if Virginia makes sense today.
If you’re new to following college baseball, we’ve got a breakdown of what you need to know about what’s about to happen in Omaha. Check out the answers to these College World Series FAQs.