We’ve got eight series this weekend, and almost every single one of them carries real weight. Hosting implications, postseason streaks on the line, and a few teams that are either hitting their stride or starting to show some cracks. We kick things off tonight, and it should be electric from the jump.
Let’s get into it.
#6 Auburn at #11 Mississippi State — TONIGHT
Auburn has been on an absolute gauntlet the last three weekends. They went to Texas A&M and won last weekend. And now they have to go on the road to Dudy Noble, which is one of the tougher environments in the country, before heading to Georgia the week after.
I think this might be the weekend that gets away from them.
Auburn is going with Jake Marciano on Friday night against Tomas Valincius. Marciano has started game one of a weekend series before, so it’s not a shocking move — and honestly, I don’t hate the matchup. He’s been really solid all year. But Auburn’s pitching staff has been one of the best in the league all year — that’s not a debate. Mississippi State has a very strong starting rotation of their own, and there are reports that Ryan McPherson could be coming back from injury. Their Sunday starter is still TBD, but if McPherson is healthy and back in that rotation, this series gets a lot more interesting.
At home, with their staff, and with the possibility of getting McPherson back into the fold — I think Mississippi State has a slight edge here.
Prediction: Mississippi State takes the series
#19 Alabama at South Carolina
This is a weird weekend for Alabama, and I’ll be honest about it.
We’ve seen this team have streaky moments at times, and something about this one makes me a little uncomfortable. South Carolina is at home and has nothing to lose. That’s the kind of energy that can make things difficult.
But here’s where I land — I’m leaning on the veteran presence. Tyler Fay and Zane Adams anchoring the rotation, and Myles Upchurch has been really solid as the Sunday guy. Rob Vaughn will have his team ready, and Alabama understands what’s at stake.
I think they take two out of three, but this one could get uncomfortable.
Prediction: Alabama takes 2 of 3
LSU at #5 Georgia
Georgia is playing for the outright SEC championship at this point, and I think they’re too good for LSU.
LSU’s best shot in this series is to wear out Georgia’s starting pitching, get free passes, and hope William Schmidt comes out on Friday night and shuts that offense down completely. And look — their young freshmen core and their young pieces have nothing to lose. That kind of energy can be dangerous.
But at the end of the day, Georgia is the better team. Their pitching is too good. Their offense is too dangerous. And I think they handle business this weekend.
Prediction: Georgia takes the series
#4 Texas at Tennessee
This is going to be a tough test for Texas on the road against a young Tennessee team whose starting rotation can shut down any offense on any given night.
But I keep coming back to what Texas has. The veteran presence. The talent across the roster. Guys like Anthony Pack Jr. — a true freshman performing at that level — and Sam Cozart, and the contributions from their young core. And then you add Jim Schlossnagle, Nolan Cain, and Max Weiner on the coaching staff, and that’s just a different kind of leadership.
Tennessee scuffled last weekend, but I don’t want to count them out — that rotation is still dangerous. It’s just that overall, the Longhorns are the better team right now, and I think they find a way to take at least two out of three.
Prediction: Texas takes 2 of 3 on the road
Kentucky at #21 Florida
Ben Cleaver had an incredible start last weekend, and I’m genuinely curious to see how Kentucky deploys their rotation this weekend coming off that performance. They looked like the team I thought they’d be when I predicted them to finish fourth in the SEC.
But I just haven’t seen enough from Kentucky overall to believe they have what it takes to overcome Aidan King, and then Liam Peterson, and Russell Sandefer — and whoever else Kevin O’Sullivan trots out there. Florida overpowers them for me.
Prediction: Florida takes the series
Vanderbilt at Missouri
Full sweep for Vanderbilt. I don’t have much doubt about this one.
Josh McDevitt has been Missouri’s shining light this year — he’s been really solid over the last couple of weekends and has had a strong overall season. If he keeps Vanderbilt’s offense at bay, they have a puncher’s chance in one game.
But Vanderbilt has a 19-year postseason streak on the line, and Tim Corbin will have his guys locked in and understanding the weight of this series. I think they come out and take care of business.
Prediction: Vanderbilt sweeps
#24 Oklahoma at #17 Arkansas
Arkansas is playing Arkansas baseball right now, and that’s a dangerous thing.
Dave Van Horn has this team ready. Hunter Dietz is a legitimate Friday night ace — he’s been creeping up draft boards all year, probably a first-rounder, and he’s leading the SEC in strikeouts. Cole Gilbert has been solid as the Saturday guy. Gabe Gaeckle as a swing guy and potential Sunday starter has been pretty dependable. And offensively, Kuhio Aloy is really heating up right now.
Oklahoma has too many question marks. They’re TBD for game one, which almost certainly means they’re going with an opener again — bring somebody out for the first time through the order, then let LJ Mercurius come in. Cam Johnson starts game two after leaving last weekend with an injury, but reports suggest he’s been looking good in practice this week.
Interesting week for Oklahoma, but I think Arkansas takes this one at home. At least two out of three.
Prediction: Arkansas takes 2 of 3
#9 Texas A&M at #20 Ole Miss
I’ve been on this Ole Miss bandwagon for a while now, and I’m staying on it.
It just came in that Ole Miss is sticking with Hunter Elliott as their Friday night starter. I thought that was pretty interesting — I’ve been saying Cade Townsend might be the move in that role, and I still think if they ever make that switch they’ll win more games. But Elliott is their guy Friday, and if he’s on, Ole Miss has the pitching to make this very difficult for Texas A&M.
And look — Auburn’s pitching staff last weekend provided a real blueprint. They were the first staff to genuinely shut down Texas A&M’s offense. If Texas A&M is hitting a slump, this is the perfect moment for Ole Miss to pounce.
At home, with their pitching, and with the possibility of Elliott finding his best stuff — I like Ole Miss here. Improving their hosting chances and making a real statement late in the season.
And yes, I’ve been wrong about Texas A&M so many times this year. Take this with a grain of salt. But I’m going Ole Miss.
Prediction: Ole Miss takes the series at home
Weekend Picks
Mississippi State over Auburn
Alabama over South Carolina
Georgia over LSU
Texas over Tennessee
Florida over Kentucky
Vanderbilt sweeps Missouri
Arkansas over Oklahoma
Ole Miss over Texas A&M
A lot of implications on the line this weekend. Postseason streaks, hosting spots, momentum heading into the final weeks — it’s all right there. Starts tonight with Auburn at Mississippi State, and that one alone should be worth the price of admission.
Should be a really, really good one.