College Baseball Top 25 Rankings

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After winning the College World Series, Tennessee tops 2024’s final Baseball America Top 25.

Tennessee defeated Texas A&M to win the College World Series finals, clinching the championship with a 6-5 victory in Game 3. The Volunteers went 10-2 in the NCAA Tournament, sweeping through the Knoxville Regional and then fighting off Evansville, the Cinderella story of the postseason, in super regionals. They went 5-1 in Omaha, beating Florida State, North Carolina and Texas A&M along the way.

It is the first national championship in program history for Tennessee. The Volunteers became the first No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament to win the title since 1999 Miami. They have been ranked No. 1 in the Baseball America Top 25 for five straight rankings, going back to May 6.

Tennessee, Texas A&M and Kentucky, the top three teams in the final rankings, all established new highs for their finishes to a season. West Virginia (13) and Evansville (23) also set highwater marks for the final rankings of a season.

The staff of Baseball America determines the Top 25 rankings. Records indicated are through the end of the season.

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1. Tennessee

Previous ranking: No. 1
Overall: 60-13, 22-8 in SEC (16-6 vs. Top 25)
Weekend record: 13-1
NCAA Tournament: 10-2

Tennessee beat Texas A&M in the College World Series finals to win the first national championship in program history. The Volunteers’ 10 wins in the NCAA Tournament pushed their season total to 60, the most for any team since 2002 (Florida State) and the most for a national champion since 1989 (Wichita State). There’s an argument to be made that the 2024 Vols are the best team in college baseball history, but no matter where they stack up all-time, they were clearly the best team in the nation in 2024.

2. Texas A&M

Previous ranking: No. 4
Overall: 53-15, 19-11 in SEC (16-9 vs. Top 25)
Weekend record: 11-3
NCAA Tournament: 9-2

The Aggies put together a dominant NCAA Tournament run until the College World Series finals. They swept through home regionals and super regionals and then won their first four games in Omaha, including Game 1 of the championship series. They hadn’t even trailed in the CWS until the seventh inning of Game 2. Tennessee came back to win that game and the decisive third game, leaving A&M one win shy of the program’s first national championship. Still, the Aggies went further than they ever had before, as the program had never before reached the championship game in Omaha.

3. Kentucky

Previous ranking: No. 2
Overall: 46-16, 22-8 in SEC (15-6 vs. Top 25)
Weekend record: 11-3
NCAA Tournament: 6-2, reached Omaha

The Wildcats swept through the Lexington Regional and Super Regional. Kentucky went 1-2 in the College World Series, beating NC State on a walk-off to open the tournament before losing to Texas A&M and Florida. This will go down as the best season in program history, as Kentucky not only reached Omaha for the first time in program history but it also set a program record for wins.

4. North Carolina

Previous ranking: No. 3
Overall: 48-16, 22-8 in ACC (10-12 vs. Top 25)
Weekend record: 9-4
NCAA Tournament: 6-3, reached Omaha

The Tar Heels turned Chapel Hill into Chapel Thrill in the NCAA Tournament. In winning home regionals and super regionals, they won two games on walk-offs and two other games by one run. UNC advanced to the College World Series for the first time since 2018 and the first time under fourth-year coach Scott Forbes. In Omaha, UNC went 1-2, losing to Tennessee and Florida State.

5. Florida State

Previous ranking: No. 12
Overall: 49-17, 16-13 in ACC (9-10 vs. Top 25)
Weekend record: 10-3-1
NCAA Tournament: 7-2, reached Omaha

Florida State swept through regionals and super regionals, beating Stetson, UCF and UConn. The Seminoles advanced to the College World Series for the first time since 2019 and reached the bracket final before losing to Tennessee. Florida State had one of the best turnaround seasons in college baseball history, going from finishing last in the ACC in 2023 to being one of the last four teams playing in 2024.

6. Florida

Previous ranking: 6
Overall: 36-30, 13-17 in SEC (21-21 vs. Top 25)
Weekend record: 7-7
NCAA Tournament: 8-3, reached Omaha

Florida was up and down all season and was just 28-27 on Selection Monday, when it was one of the last teams to receive an at-large bid. Once the Gators got in the tournament, however, they got as hot as they had been all season long and went on the road to win the Stillwater Regional and Clemson Super Regional. Florida kept going in Omaha and was one of the last four teams playing, losing only to Texas A&M. The Gators’ perseverance to fulfill their preseason promise was one of the most impressive stories of the NCAA Tournament.

7. NC State

Previous ranking: No. 7
Overall: 38-23, 17-12 in ACC (15-9 vs. Top 25)
Weekend record: 11-2-1
NCAA Tournament: 5-3, reached Omaha

The Wolfpack swept through the Raleigh Regional in business-like fashion. NC State hit the road for super regionals, traveling to Athens and beat Georgia in three games. It was one of just two road teams this season to win a super regional. The Wolfpack went 0-2 in the College World Series, losing a pair of one-run games to Florida and Kentucky. While the stay in Omaha was short, NC State reached the CWS for the second time in four years after previously making the stage just twice in its history.

8. Virginia

Previous ranking: No. 14
Overall: 45-17, 18-12 in ACC (10-9 vs. Top 25)
Weekend record: 9-4
NCAA Tournament: 5-2, reached Omaha

Virginia swept through the first two rounds of the NCAA Tournament, going 5-0 at home against Penn, Mississippi State and Kansas State. The Cavaliers advanced to the College World Series for the third time in four years, but made a quick exit in Omaha. They went 0-2 and have now lost six straight CWS games. Still, Virginia is one of just three teams to make it to the CWS three times in the last four seasons.

9. Oregon State

Previous ranking: No. 6
Overall: 45-16, 19-10 in Pac-12 (7-6 vs. Top 25)
Weekend record: 12-2
NCAA Tournament: 3-2, eliminated in super regionals

Oregon State swept through the Corvallis Regional, beating UC Irvine in the final. It faced a tough Kentucky team on the road in super regionals and was swept in Lexington, as it was held to just three hits on the weekend. The Beavers have won more than 40 games for three straight years, matching the best streak in program history.

10. Georgia

Previous ranking: No. 8
Overall: 43-17, 17-13 in SEC (14-8 vs. Top 25)
Weekend record: 9-5
NCAA Tournament: 4-2, eliminated in super regionals

Georgia swept through the Athens Regional, taking down in-state rival Georgia Tech in the final. The Bulldogs then lost in three games in super regionals to NC State. Georgia, under first-year coach Wes Johnson, advanced to super regionals for the first time since 2008 and won more than 40 games for just the second time since that season.

11. Clemson

Previous ranking: No. 10
Overall: 44-16, 20-10 in ACC (4-4 vs. Top 25)
Weekend record: 12-2
NCAA Tournament: 3-2, eliminated in super regionals

Clemson had one of the most exciting postseasons of any team in the country. In its sweep of the Clemson Regional, it twice scored the game-winning run in the ninth inning. It was swept at home in super regionals by Florida, a series that included arguably the best game of the postseason. While Clemson lost to the Gators, it still snapped a long super regionals drought, advancing to the round for the first time since 2010.

12. Oregon

Previous ranking: NR
Overall: 40-20, 19-11 in Pac-12 (4-5 vs. Top 25)
Weekend record: 11-3
NCAA Tournament: 3-2, eliminated in super regionals

The Ducks swept through the Santa Barbara Regional, beating UCSB twice on the road before getting swept by Texas A&M in super regionals. Oregon has now won back-to-back regionals for the first time in program history and 40 games in back-to-back seasons for the first time in a decade. Coach Mark Wasikowski has built impressive momentum in his five seasons at the program’s helm.

13. West Virginia

Previous ranking: NR
Overall: 36-24, 19-11 in Big 12 (6-3 vs. Top 25)
Weekend record: 7-4-3
NCAA Tournament: 3-2, eliminated in super regionals

West Virginia won the first regional in program history as it swept through the Tucson Regional, beating Dallas Baptist and Grand Canyon. The Mountaineers pushed North Carolina in super regionals, but were swept in Chapel Hill. While West Virginia finished shy of Omaha, it still sent coach Randy Mazey out in style in his final season before retirement.

14. UConn

Previous ranking: NR
Overall: 35-26, 17-4 in Big East (5-5 vs. Top 25)
Weekend record: 9-4
NCAA Tournament: 3-3, eliminated in super regionals

UConn won the Big East for the fourth straight year since returning to the conference. The Huskies went to the Norman Regional and took down host Oklahoma, beating the Sooners twice to advance to super regionals for the second time in three years. UConn was swept at Florida State, but this season further established the Huskies as the preeminent program in the Northeast.

15. Arkansas

Previous ranking: No. 5
Overall: 44-16, 20-10 in SEC (11-9 vs. Top 25)
Weekend record: 11-3
NCAA Tournament: 1-2, eliminated in regionals

After winning the SEC West, Arkansas struggled in the postseason. It went 0-2 in the SEC Tournament and then 1-2 in its home regional, losing to Kansas State and Southeast Missouri State. While the Razorbacks have lost home regionals in consecutive years, they’ve also won back-to-back division titles.

16. East Carolina

Previous ranking: No. 13
Overall: 46-17, 19-8 in American (5-1 vs. Top 25)
Weekend record: 12-2
NCAA Tournament: 3-2, eliminated in regionals

ECU won its fifth straight American Athletic Conference title and hosted regionals for the fifth time in six seasons. But it was upset in Greenville by Evansville, which beat the Pirates in the opener and the regional final. Despite the disappointing ending, it was another strong season overall for the Pirates.

17. Mississippi State

Previous ranking: No. 15
Overall: 40-23, 17-13 in SEC (10-12 vs. Top 25)
Weekend record: 10-4
NCAA Tournament: 2-2, eliminated in regionals

The Bulldogs were disappointed not to host a regional after finishing fifth in the SEC. They got a tough draw as they were sent to Charlottesville. Mississippi State beat St. John’s twice to reach the final, but couldn’t get past the host, as Virginia won a pair of close games. After two disappointing seasons, Mississippi State bounced back with a strong 40-win campaign in 2024.

18. Oklahoma State

Previous ranking: No. 16
Overall: 42-19, 19-9 in Big 12 (4-4 vs. Top 25)
Weekend record: 10-4
NCAA Tournament: 2-2, eliminated in regionals

Oklahoma State won the Big 12 Tournament and earned a spot as a regional host in the NCAA Tournament. The Cowboys started 2-0 in Stillwater, but lost twice to Florida in the regional final. Oklahoma State has won more than 40 games and hosted a regional in three straight years, but it lost in the regional round of the NCAA Tournament in each of those seasons.

19. Oklahoma

Previous ranking: No. 17
Overall: 40-21, 23-7 in Big 12 (5-3 vs. Top 25)
Weekend record: 9-5
NCAA Tournament: 3-2, eliminated in regionals

Oklahoma won the program’s first conference title since 1995, cruising to the championship with a program-record 23 conference wins. It hosted a regional for the first time since 2010, but got tripped up in the NCAA Tournament and lost the regional final to UConn. In addition to the team’s historic conference title, the Sooners won 40 games for the second time in three years.

20. UC Santa Barbara

Previous ranking: No. 18
Overall: 44-14, 23-4 in Big West (1-2 vs. Top 25)
Weekend record: 11-3
NCAA Tournament: 2-2, eliminated in regionals

UCSB rolled to the Big West title, finishing the season on a 21-game conference winning streak. That helped it earn a spot as a regional host in the NCAA Tournament, marking the first time it ever hosted on campus at Caesar Uyesaka Stadium. The Gauchos fell in the regional final, however, losing to Oregon. Still, 2024 marked one of the best years in program history and saw UCSB win the Big West for the third time in five seasons.

21. Arizona

Previous ranking: No. 19
Overall: 36-23, 20-10 in Pac-12 (4-7 vs. Top 25)
Weekend record: 8-6
NCAA Tournament: 0-2, eliminated in regionals

Arizona won the Pac-12 regular-season title and the Pac-12 Tournament, which earned it a spot as a regional host in the NCAA Tournament. The Wildcats quickly got knocked out of the NCAA Tournament, however, as they were upset by Grand Canyon and then shut out by Dallas Baptist. Still, Arizona can feel good about its season under third-year coach Chip Hale. The Wildcats were picked in ninth in the preseason Pac-12 coach’s poll and went on to win their second conference title in four years and their first ever conference tournament championship.

22. Kansas State

Previous ranking: NR
Overall: 35-26, 15-15 in Big 12 (3-8 vs. Top 25)
Weekend record: 9-5
NCAA Tournament: 3-2, eliminated in super regionals

K-State had one of the most impressive performances of regionals, as it swept through the Fayetteville Regional. The Wildcats beat host Arkansas and All-American Hagen Smith along the way to reach super regionals for the first time since 2013. K-State was swept at Virginia but still finished with one of the best seasons in program history.

23. Evansville

Previous ranking: NR
Overall: 39-26, 17-10 in Missouri Valley (5-6 vs. Top 25)
Weekend record: 9-5
NCAA Tournament: 4-3, eliminated in super regionals

Evansville swept through the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament to earn its first NCAA Tournament bid since 2006. The Purple Aces made the most of the opportunity, as they won the Greenville Regional as the No. 4 seed, becoming just the ninth regional No. 4 seed to win a regional since the 64-team format was adopted in 1999. Evansville then beat top-ranked Tennessee in Game 2 of the Knoxville Super Regional before falling in the decisive third game. While they fell short of Omaha, the Purple Aces were the darlings of the postseason.

24. Duke

Previous ranking: No. 11
Overall: 40-20, 16-14 in ACC (11-8 vs. Top 25)
Weekend record: 9-5
NCAA Tournament: 1-2, eliminated in regionals

After winning the ACC Tournament, Duke came into the NCAA Tournament riding strong momentum. The Blue Devils went 1-2 in Norman, however, losing close games to UConn and host Oklahoma. Duke won 40 games for just the second time in program history and the first time since 2018.

25. UC Irvine

Previous ranking: No. 20
Overall: 45-14, 20-7 in Big West (2-3 vs. Top 25)
Weekend record: 13-2
NCAA Tournament: 2-2, eliminated in regionals

UCI went 2-2 in the Corvallis Regional, reaching the final with wins against Nicholls State and Tulane. The Anteaters couldn’t get past Oregon State, however, losing twice to the host. They finished the season with 45 wins, their most since 2009.