Full Breakdown
Week 13 College Baseball Rankings Set the Stage for Postseason
5/12/2026, 12:15:14 AM
Updated Rankings After the Penultimate Week
D1Baseball and USA TODAY Sports released their Week 13 top-25 lists on May 11, the final polls before the regular season ends. UCLA retained the No. 1 spot in both rankings—earning all 30 first-place votes in the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll—and improved to a 46-5 record, the only team with fewer than eight losses. The USA TODAY poll’s top five were UCLA, North Carolina, Georgia Tech, Georgia and Texas. In the D1Baseball poll, Oregon fell to No. 16, Cincinnati appeared at No. 25, and Georgia entered the top-four.
How the Polls Influence Postseason Placement
College baseball uses several ranking systems—USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll, D1Baseball, Baseball America, and the RPI—to assess team performance and guide the NCAA selection committee when assigning the 64-team field and regional hosts. A team’s position across multiple polls can affect its likelihood of hosting a regional and its seeding on the path to the College World Series in Omaha.
Leading Programs and Their Current Status
- UCLA Bruins – 46-5 overall, undefeated in conference play, still atop all major polls.
- Oregon Ducks – 36-14 overall, 18-9 in Big Ten play, third in the conference; No. 15 in USA TODAY, No. 16 in D1Baseball, No. 19 in the RPI, and No. 23 in Baseball America.
- Cincinnati Bearcats – 35-18 overall, 15-12 in the Big 12, seventh in the conference; ranked No. 25 by D1Baseball, No. 18 by Baseball America, No. 21 by Just Baseball, and No. 12 by CFBHome.
- Georgia Bulldogs – 41-11 overall, 21-6 in SEC play, SEC regular-season champions; positioned within the top-four of D1Baseball and No. 5 in the USA TODAY poll.
Key Statistics Across the Field
- UCLA’s 46 wins are the most among top-25 teams; the next highest win total is 42.
- Oregon’s RPI jumped eight spots to No. 19 after a 1-2 series win at UCLA.
- Cincinnati’s Quinton Coats recorded his 25th home run, ranking fourth nationally in round-trip homers.
- Georgia’s 11-8 and 13-8 victories over LSU secured the SEC title, its first since 2008.
Official Statements & Responses
- The USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll announced that “UCLA earned all 30 potential first-place votes.”
- Cincinnati head coach Jordan Bischel marked his 100th win with the Bearcats.
- The NCAA confirmed the Division I Tournament Selection Show will air Monday, May 25, at noon on ESPN2.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Polls differ on several teams: Oregon is listed as No. 15 (USA TODAY), No. 16 (D1Baseball), No. 19 (RPI) and No. 23 (Baseball America). Cincinnati’s placement ranges from No. 12 (CFBHome) to No. 25 (D1Baseball). Georgia’s exact D1Baseball rank is not specified beyond “top-four,” creating a minor reporting gap.
Implications for Regionals and the College World Series
Higher poll positions improve a team’s chance to host an NCAA regional, a critical advantage for advancing toward Omaha. UCLA’s dominance secures a likely top seed, while Oregon’s mixed rankings leave it on the bubble, dependent on its final series against USC. Cincinnati’s upward trajectory positions it for a potential at-large bid, and Georgia’s SEC championship strengthens its hosting prospects.
What’s Next
The SEC tournament runs May 19-24 in Arlington, Texas; the Big 12 tournament occurs May 19-23 in Surprise, Arizona. After conference play, the NCAA regional round begins at the end of May, culminating in the College World Series in June. The selection show on May 25 will finalize the 64-team field and set the postseason bracket.
