## Get Your Cleats Ready: It’s Already Time to Dream of Omaha!
The roar of the crowd, the crack of the bat, the electric tension of every pitch…the College World Series is baseball nirvana. While the 2023 tournament has just wrapped, our minds are already wandering to the 2025 edition, picturing the next crop of college stars vying for the ultimate prize.
Forget the World Series hangover, folks. We’re diving headfirst into the future, dissecting early favorites, breakout contenders, and the programs poised to make a splash in Omaha. USA Today has crunched the numbers, and Gamestanza is here to break down their predictions, giving you the inside scoop on who’s shaping up to be the teams to watch in two years.
Northeastern’s Chances of Advancing
Northeastern is the dark horse of the College World Series predictions. Winners of 27 consecutive games, the Huskies boast one of the best pitching staff in the country. With a 2.92 ERA as a team this season, which is 0.32 runs per average lower than Coastal Carolina, who ranks second nationally. Northeastern has used the same three pitchers in its weekend rotation all season, as Will Jones, Jordan Gottesman, and Aiven Cabral each own ERAs under 2.75 with more than 69 innings pitched each.
Northeastern has the pitching depth necessary for both regional and super regional wins. It must first win the Tallahassee Regional, which also comprises No. 9 Florida State, Mississippi State, and Bethune-Cookman.
Chapel Hill Regional
North Carolina’s Quality Pitching and Slugging Potential
The Tar Heels made the College World Series in 2024, falling in the second round to Tennessee and Florida State. North Carolina has quality pitching depth and plenty of slugging potential in its lineup. Ace pitcher Jake Knapp was dominant in 2025, winning ACC Pitcher of the Year after going 12-0 with a 2.17 ERA. Catcher Luke Stevenson and first baseman Hunter Stokely were both first-team All-ACC selections after hitting 18 and 13 home runs, respectively.
North Carolina can get it done offensively and defensively. The Tar Heels open with their home regional against Oklahoma, Nebraska, and Holy Cross. The Chapel Hill Regional winner matches up with Eugene Regional winner.
Oklahoma, Nebraska, and Holy Cross’s Strengths and Weaknesses
Oklahoma, Nebraska, and Holy Cross will provide stiff competition in the Chapel Hill Regional. Each team has its unique strengths and weaknesses that will be crucial in determining the regional winner.
Coastal Carolina’s Pitching Depth and Strengths
Pitching depth is as important as anything in the postseason, and it’s a strength for Coastal Carolina. The Chanticleers are No. 8 in RPI, despite playing in the Sun Belt, a non-major conference. They went 48-11 on the season and have wins over No. 11 Clemson and No. 16 Southern Miss, who both were selected as national seeds.
Coastal Carolina has the nation’s second-best pitching staff by ERA at 3.24, which only ranks behind Northeastern. Ace Jacob Morrison was elite in 2025, with a 1.90 ERA and .87 WHIP across 85 1/3 innings. Morrison, who stands 6-foot-8, has an 11-0 record on the year.
Can the Chanticleers Make a Deep Run in the Tournament?
Coastal Carolina hosts Florida, East Carolina, and Fairfield in the regional. With their pitching depth and strengths, the Chanticleers can make a deep run in the tournament.
Other Contenders and Dark Horses
Texas and Jim Schlossnagle’s National Title Hopes
Texas, who finished No. 1 in the SEC regular season standings and was picked as the No. 2 overall seed of the NCAA tournament, is another top contender for the national title under first-year coach Jim Schlossnagle, who led Texas A&M to the national championship series last season.
LSU, Georgia, and Other Powerhouse Programs
LSU, Georgia, and other powerhouse programs are likely to be in the mix for the national title. With their strong pitching staff and solid offense, these teams can make a deep run in the tournament.
Under-the-Radar Teams with the Potential to Make a Deep Run
Some under-the-radar teams have the potential to make a deep run in the tournament. With their unique strengths and weaknesses, these teams can provide stiff competition to the top contenders.
Conclusion
As we navigate the thrilling landscape of college baseball, predicting the 2025 College World Series contenders is an exciting exercise. The USA Today article lays out compelling arguments, highlighting the rising dominance of programs like Vanderbilt, LSU, and Florida, while acknowledging the potential resurgence of traditional powerhouses like Stanford and Oregon State. The article underscores the evolving nature of the sport, where pitching depth, timely hitting, and strong leadership emerge as crucial factors for success on the national stage. Looking ahead, the 2025 NCAA baseball tournament promises to be a showcase of talent and strategy. The seeds of future champions are already being sown in the recruiting wars and the development of young stars. Which program will rise to the occasion and etch their name in the College World Series lore? The answer remains tantalizingly out of reach, but one thing is certain: the journey to Omaha will be filled with unforgettable moments and heart-stopping competition. As the season unfolds, one thing is for sure: college baseball is alive and well, captivating fans with its raw passion and relentless pursuit of excellence.
