2026 Regional Preview

Hello everyone,

Welcome to Regional play. Man, it feels like this season has flown by. The bracket has been announced and teams have their set locations for the weekend.

In this article, I will be giving my thoughts on the bracket and regional superlatives (toughest regional, easiest regional, 1 seed that will not advance, favorite 2, 3, and 4 seeds, and Omaha 8). I have brought on 4 knowledgeable people to share their thoughts. I would highly recommend following all of them on X if you are not already.

For my regional future bets, click the link below:

2026 Regional Futures

My Thoughts on the Bracket:

I am fine with the bracket the committee ended with. Of course, there could have been minor upgrades but overall I feel as if they did a pretty solid job.

Similar to most of the college baseball community, I am surprised Mercer was left out. Mercer’s RPI ranked 18th, which is the best RPI to miss the field since UNC in 2016 who had the 19th ranked RPI. I believe they should have been in over Texas State or NC State. The SoCon also ranked 7th in conference RPI rankings, ahead of the American and CUSA and right behind the Sun Belt.

I am convinced that NC State’s bid was given to them due to Elliot Avent retiring. The Wolf Pack ranked 52nd in RPI while holding a 242 non-conference SOS.

Jacksonville State listed as a 3 seed was insane. The CUSA was a solid conference at the top and Jax State ran the table while owning a winning record in Q1 games.
Liberty was listed as a last 4 in, which surprised me. 41-19, 32nd in RPI, 2nd place in the CUSA, and 10 Q1 wins.

I am not sure how Virginia Tech (42 RPI) goes from a bubble team to a 2 seed.

I really wish they would have avoided pairing up Georgia and Mississippi State in Super Regionals. They have already played 4 games against each other.

Oregon as the 11th overall seed surprised me. I figured they would be ahead of Nebraska, but closer to the 16 line.
The committee was not high on the Big 12. Kansas and WVU at 15th and 16th. TCU missed the field. Kansas went 2-0 over Nebraska while finishing with more Q1 wins.

Superlatives:

Wes (@WR_Bets)

Toughest Regional: Lawrence

Easiest Regional: Los Angeles

1 Seed That Will Not Advance: Nebraska

Favorite 2 Seed to Advance: Ole Miss

Favorite 3 Seed to Advance: Jacksonville State

Favorite 4 Seed to Advance: St John’s

Omaha 8: WVU, Florida, UNC, Ole Miss, Georgia, Texas, Alabama, Georgia Tech

Delta Dimes (@DeltaD1mes)

Toughest Regional: Lincoln

Easiest Regional: Los Angeles

1 Seed That Will Not Advance: Oregon

Favorite 2 Seed: USC

Favorite 3 Seed: Troy

Favorite 4 Seed: St John’s

Omaha 8: UCLA, USM, USC, Auburn, MSST, Texas Florida, Arkansas

Crutch (@CrutchBets)

Toughest Regional: Lincoln

Easiest Regional: Los Angeles

1 Seed That Will Not Advance: Nebraska

Favorite 2 Seed: Arkansas

Favorite 3 Seed: Cal Poly / Missouri State

Favorite 4 Seed: Lamar

Omaha 8: UCLA, UGA, GT, Auburn, Texas, UNC, OK State, USM

BSBL Betting Picks (@BSBLbets)

Toughest Regional: Chapel Hill

Easiest Regional: Los Angeles

1 Seed That Will Not Advance: Alabama

Favorite 2 Seed: Ole Miss

Favorite 3 Seed: Jacksonville State

Favorite 4 Seed: Northeastern

Omaha 8: Wake, Florida, Arkansas, Florida State, UGA, Texas, Auburn, Tennessee

Big Unit Johnson Plays (@JohnsonPlays51)

WR Rundown