College Baseball Week 4: Top 25 Rankings, Play of the Week and What to Watch

College Baseball’s Exciting Start: A Look at the Top 25, Plays, and Players to Watch

As we dive into the 2025 college baseball season, the excitement is palpable. We’re about a month in, and the action on the diamond has been nothing short of thrilling. The rankings have seen some significant shifts since the preseason poll, but this week’s top 25 doesn’t deviate much from last week’s standings. However, there is one notable newcomer to the list: the Stanford Cardinal, who have claimed the No. 18 spot. They replaced the Oklahoma State Cowboys, who slipped out of the rankings after posting a 3-2 record last week. Stanford’s impressive series win over a top-10 ranked North Carolina in Chapel Hill was a key factor in their rise.

LSU continues to hold the top spot after an undefeated 5-0 week, maintaining their position as the team to beat. The SEC is well-represented at the top, with three additional teams following LSU. Florida State has been steadily climbing the rankings and now sits at No. 5. Meanwhile, preseason favorite Texas A&M has been on a downward trajectory, dropping to No. 19.

With conference play kicking off across the board this week, there’s plenty more excitement on the horizon. Let’s take a closer look at the current top 25 rankings for Week 3, along with some standout plays and players to keep an eye on in the coming weeks.

Play of the Week

One of the most jaw-dropping moments from last week came courtesy of NC State’s Ty Head. In a game against Wright State, Head made an incredible catch to rob a home run in the top of the seventh inning. It’s the kind of play that you can’t help but watch over and over again. If you haven’t seen it yet, do yourself a favor and check it out.

Player to Watch

Marek Houston, IF/OF, Wake Forest

Marek Houston has been a standout performer for the Wake Forest Demon Deacons this season. With seven home runs and 34 RBIs to his name, Houston has been a key contributor to the team’s success. Wake Forest is currently ranked No. 14 with a 14-3 overall record. As they prepare to face top 25-ranked Coastal Carolina on Tuesday, all eyes will be on Houston to see if he can continue his impressive form and help his team secure another victory.

Game to Watch

No. 7 Florida at No. 5 Florida State: 6 p.m. on Tuesday (ACCNX)

There’s nothing quite like a top-10 matchup, especially when it involves a heated rivalry. Florida and Florida State are set to face off in Tallahassee, and the Gators will be looking to hand the Seminoles their first loss of the season. Florida State’s freshman sensation Myles Bailey is currently on a seven-game hitting streak, so the Gators will have their work cut out for them. But with players like Max Williams and Drew Faurot leading the charge for the Seminoles, and Brody Donay and Bobby Boser stepping up for the Gators, this game promises to be a fireworks display of talent and competition. The two teams will meet three times this season, so this is just the beginning of what promises to be an epic series.

Updated Top 25

Here are D1baseball.com’s latest rankings, along with information on each team’s next game. All times Eastern.

• 1. LSU Tigers – Previous rank: 1, Record: 16-1, Next game: vs. Xavier, 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday (SECN+)
• 2. Tennessee Volunteers – Previous rank: 2, Record: 16-0, Next game: vs. West Georgia, 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday (SECN+)
• 3. Arkansas Razorbacks – Previous rank: 3, Record: 15-1, Next game: vs. UCA, 7 p.m. on Tuesday (SECN+)
• 4. Georgia Bulldogs – Previous rank: 5, Record: 18-1, Next game: vs. East Tennessee State, 3 p.m. on Tuesday (SECN+)
• 5. Florida State Seminoles – Previous rank: 6, Record: 15-0, Next game: vs. Florida, 6 p.m. on Tuesday (ACCNX)
• 6. North Carolina Tar Heels – Previous rank: 4, Record: 14-2, Next game: at UNC Wilmington, 6 p.m. on Tuesday
• 7. Florida Gators – Previous rank: 7, Record: 15-2, Next game: at Florida State, 6 p.m. on Tuesday (ACCNX)
• 8. Oregon State Beavers – Previous rank: 8, Record: 10-3, Next game: vs. Washington State, 8:35 p.m. on Tuesday
• 9. Oregon Ducks – Previous rank: 10, Record: 14-2, Next game: vs. Grand Canyon, 8:05 p.m. on Tuesday
• 10. Clemson Tigers – Previous rank: 11, Record: 15-1, Next game: vs. Liberty, 4 p.m. on Tuesday (ACCNX)
• 11. Texas Longhorns – Previous rank: 12, Record: 13-1, Next game: vs. UT Arlington, 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday (SECN+)
• 12. Oklahoma Sooners – Previous rank: 13, Record: 14-1, Next game: vs. Louisiana Tech, 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday (SECN+)
• 13. Ole Miss Rebels – Previous rank: 17, Record: 14-1, Next game: at South Alabama, 5 p.m. on Tuesday (ESPN+)
• 14. Wake Forest Demon Deacons – Previous rank: 15, Record: 14-3, Next game: at Coastal Carolina, 6 p.m. on Tuesday (ESPN+)
• 15. UC Santa Barbara Gauchos – Previous rank: 16, Record: 13-2, Next game: vs. San Diego, 7:05 p.m. on Tuesday
• 16. Vanderbilt Commodores – Previous rank: 18, Record: 13-3, Next game: vs. Valparaiso, 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday (SECN+)
• 17. Alabama Crimson Tide – Previous rank: 23, Record: 16-1, Next game: vs. UAB, 7 p.m. on Tuesday (ESPN+)
• 18. Stanford Cardinal – Previous rank: NR, Record: 12-3, Next game: vs. Duke, 9:30 p.m. on Friday (ACCNX)
• 19. Texas A&M Aggies – Previous rank: 14, Record: 9-6, Next game: vs. Prairie View A&M, 7 p.m. on Tuesday (SECN+)
• 20. Dallas Baptist Patriots – Previous rank: 21, Record: 11-4, Next game: vs. Oklahoma State, 7:05 p.m. on Tuesday (ESPN+)
• 21. Troy Trojans – Previous rank: 19, Record: 13-3, Next game: vs. Jacksonville State, 7 p.m. on Tuesday (ESPN+)
• 22. Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles – Previous rank: 20, Record: 11-5, Next game: vs. UTRGV, 7 p.m. on Tuesday (ESPN+)
• 23. Virginia Cavaliers – Previous rank: 9, Record: 9-5, Next game: vs. Maryland, 5:35 p.m. on Tuesday (ACCNX)
• 24. Coastal Carolina Chanticleers – Previous rank: 24, Record: 12-4, Next game: vs. Wake Forest, 6 p.m. on Tuesday (ESPN+)
• 25. Auburn Tigers – Previous rank: 22, Record: 13-3, Next game: at UT Martin, 7 p.m. on Tuesday

As the season progresses, the competition is only going to heat up. With conference play underway, every game counts, and the stakes are higher than ever. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or a casual observer, there’s no denying that college baseball is delivering some of the most exciting sports action around.