Checking in at #25 in CBNewspaper preseason poll.

Full top 40: http://baseballnews.com/collegiate-baseb...-12-19-17/

Couple thoughts on that poll. Just commenting on teams that I feel I know a little about.

I think they’re overrating us. Our offense should still be pretty good, but we lost a bunch of innings from 2017. Ostrander should be an improvement over Fed, but I still think it’s going to be a little bit of a struggle for us on the mound, especially with our weekend rotation.

- Ole Miss is very underrated in that poll. With that 2016 class now sophomores, I expect them to be a top 15-20 team.

- ULL is overrated in the poll. They had a pretty anemic offense in 2017 and they lost most of their run producers to graduation. Their rotation should be pretty good with Hogan Harris and Nick Lee, but Gunner Leger is going to be out all for at least half the year (possible that he just sits out the year and takes a redshirt).

- South Alabama is about right at #17. Typically 1 or 2 teams from the AAC/CUSA/Sun Belt will emerge as a host, and I think this is the team that could take them to the next level. Their offense is going to be one of the best in the nation (Swaggerty, Donovan, Hardy, Davis, etc.). If they get any pitching at all, they’re going to win a bunch of games. We’ll find out what they’re like early with the Coastal tournament then a 4-game series at Texas Tech.

- I can’t figure out Mississippi State. I sorta think they might be the reverse of their 2017 team (which was good offensively, but struggled on the mound because of injuries). Pilkington is awesome, and JP France should be a serviceable #2/Saturday starter. Self/Price are quality bullpen arms and they also get a bunch of guys back from TJ surgery. But if I’m a State fan, I worry about their offense without Rooker + Brown and Gridley. Mangum is really good, but he’s kind of a singles hitter. Not much a power threat which Rooker and Brown brought. I do expect them to kick our ass again opening weekend, because we have a mental block when we play them for whatever reason.