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College  | Story | 4/8/2022

Week 8 College Picks and Preview

Vincent Cervino
Craig Cozart
Photo: Jake Gelof (Virginia Athletics)
Picks & Breakdowns

Matchup Vin's Picks Cozy's Picks
#2 Virginia at #8 Miami
Oklahoma at #5 Oklahoma State
#19 TCU at #9 Texas
Georgia Southern at #14 Texas State
#20 Southern Miss at Charlotte
NC State at #23 Virginia Tech
Cal State Fullerton at Michigan
San Diego at Portland
 



No. 2 Virginia at No. 8 Miami 

Cozy's Pick: Virginia
This weekend’s matchup in Coral Gables is huge not only because it features two top-10 teams, but it could well determine who wins the Coastal Division in the ACC.  The Cavaliers (26-3) are off to an amazing start and have the look of another Omaha team there in Charlottesville.  They are leading the league in ACC play in both team batting average and fielding percentage.  They are one of the nations tightest defenses with a 2.84 ERA, OBA of only .199, they field .982, have surrendered only 8 stolen bases and give up less than 6 free bases per game.  By the way, the hit .336 as a team, with 47 home runs and have swiped 43 bags.  So, they pressure opposing defenses in every aspect possible.  The Hurricanes (23-6) have been one of the hottest teams in the nation, winners of 10 in a row, including back-to-back ACC series sweeps.  They have developed their rotation into a tremendous unit and their bullpen is one of the best in the nation and the staff carries a 3:1 K/BB ratio.  They have only allowed 8 stolen bases on the season and only give opponents 7 free bases per game.  The offense is averaging almost 8 runs per game and the power has really started to play in the last month.  The series will come down to who plays the cleanest, maximizes offensive opportunities and probably who wins on Sunday.  Virginia is a complete, tough team and should take the weekend.  

Vin’s Pick: Miami
The home field advantage during this series is going to be key as this series is a matchup between two top-10 teams. Miami has been red hot while Virginia has been one of the best teams in the country week-in and week-out. I think Miami’s offense can get it done this weekend as they’re deep from top to bottom. They’ll need a big start from Carson Palmquist on Friday and Alejandro Rosario to continue his hot streak but this could be the statement weekend from Miami.


Oklahoma at No. 5 Oklahoma State 

Cozy's Picks: Oklahoma State 
The Sooners (17-10) have been a team that we have watched closely all year, but they just haven’t put together the type of run that would justify putting them in the Top 25.  They have played a great schedule that is currently the third-toughest in the nation and this should pay dividends down the stretch.  They have a clear-cut ace on the mound, but the bullpen has some concerns from a quality and depth standpoint and have an overall average defensive squad.  They play fast offensively, use the gaps and are one of the nation’s best clubs at the stolen base with 62 on the year.  This will also be their first true road series of the season.  The Cowboys (21-8) have pretty much been ranked inside the top-10 the entire year and have been on fire, going 15-3, since losing three 1-run games to Gonzaga.  They are one of the top fielding clubs in the nation with a .988 fielding percentage, have some inconsistencies in the rotation but their bullpen has been lights out.  They only issue 6.5 free bags per game and can eliminate contact with their arms so runs can be tough for opponents to find.  They are balanced offensively with a solid power/speed mix.  Oklahoma State should win the Bedlam Rivalry this time around. 

Vin’s Pick: Oklahoma State
The Cowboys scuffled a bit last week but there’s no doubting they’ve been one of the best teams in the country this season. The Sooners have been a thorn in the side of opponents this season but the Cowboys have a fairly big talent gap that should carry them. Justin Campbell has been terrific while the Oklahoma State offense is a force to be reckoned with.
 

No. 19 Texas Christian at No. 9 Texas 

Cozy's Pick: Texas 
The Horned Frogs (20-9) have gone 6-4 over their last 10 games and have been tough to figure out at times.  Offensively they do a great job of pressuring opposing defenses with their ability to steal bases with 46 and gap type power across the board.  They do a great job of moving the baseball as they just don’t strike out much and force opponents to make plays.  They are secure with their first two starters in the rotation and have a true closer, but it has been a trick to get to the end of games at times.  If they have a third starter emerge, TCU could really make a run in the postseason.  The Longhorns (22-9) since being ranked No. 1 a few weeks back have played a good brand of baseball.  They have played a stellar schedule ranked the 11th toughest slate in the nation.  They can slug with the best in the country with 74 doubles and 50 home runs.  They do strike out quite a bit, averaging 9 punches per game but it can be justified with their power.  They only allow 6 free bags per game, have one of the best rotations in the nation and their bullpen has showed quality and depth.  They also field .985 as a club, effectively keeping opponents off the board.  This is a huge matchup in the league and in the Lone Star state, but Texas has only lost twice at home, and they won’t double that total this weekend.  Longhorns should secure another home series.  

Vin’s Pick: Texas
This is the week that Texas gets back to being Texas as they’re going to assert themselves as a national power and take down in state rival TCU. The on-paper resume of Texas is almost too long to list but the talent is there and they’re absolutely one of the most dangerous teams in the country. Look for strong starts from both Pete Hansen and Tristan Stevens as the Longhorns look to go on a run here.
 

Georgia Southern at No. 14 Texas State 
Cozy's Pick: Texas State
The Eagles (18-10) have challenged themselves with their non-conference schedule and have been on our radar for a few weeks.  They seem to win games on toughness and moxie as their numbers don’t really jump off the page.  Offensively they stay active and unpredictable, have accumulated 43 doubles, as well as 21 home runs and stolen bases.  They do punch out quite a bit, especially for a club that only slugs .389 as a team.  Their team ERA is a bit higher at 4.90 than you would like, and they barely have a 2:1 K/BB ratio as a staff.  They do, however, play quality defense and minimize situations from that end.  They are also a sub-.500 club on the road.  The Bobcats (23-7) have won 6-of-10 and are sitting at the top of the Sun Belt standings.  They are batting .283 as a team and blend power/speed nicely with 34 home runs and 42 stolen bases.  They find the barrel a lot, don’t go down swinging very much and force opponents to make plays.  They are only an average defensive club, but they are very good on the bump with a 3.68 ERA.  The have a quality 1-2 punch in the rotation and possibly the best closer in the nation.  They defend their home turf tenaciously and will take care of business this weekend. 

Vin’s Pick: Texas State
Texas State has been one of the top mid-major teams all season and they’ll take on an upstart Georgia Southern team that has been very strong both in terms of resume and RPI. Home field advantage will help the Bobcats as Texas State will look to strut their bona fides during this weekend in what would be a very big series win.
 

No. 20 Southern Mississippi at Charlotte 

Cozy's Pick: Southern Miss
The Golden Eagles (20-8) finally pushed their way into the Top 25 with last weekend’s series win over LaTech.  They have been on the cusp for a while as they have played a solid schedule but seem to have found a different gear lately.  They play station to station for the most part offensively, have only swiped 7 bags all year but are slugging .467 as a team.  They may have the most stifling defense in the nation allowing just over 5 free bags per game, have a team ERA of 3.11 and opponents only slug .313 against them with an amazing .286 on base percentage.  Their entire rotation has an ERA in the low-2.00’s as well.  The 49ers (17-11) kind of come and go as far as being on the national radar this year.  They can really swing the sticks, batting .294 this year, with 42 home runs and 40 stolen bases.  They have some real concerns on the mound as they carry a 5.21 ERA and allow over one free bag per inning currently.  Their rotation has kind of been a fluid situation and they seem to still be trying to find the right mix.  If they are going win this series, as they did at Old Dominion a couple weeks ago, they’re going to have to do it with the sticks.  Southern Miss is just too good on defense and should take the road series, furthering their lead in Conference USA play. 

Vin’s Pick: Southern Miss
The Golden Eagles have been strong all season and they finally cracked the Top 25 after a big series win at home against Louisiana Tech last weekend. They’ll travel to Charlotte where their high powered offense and talented pitching staff should be up to the task. Hurston Waldrep looks like a first-rounder next year and he’ll have the chance to close out the series on Sunday.
 

North Carolina State at No. 23 Virginia Tech 

Cozy's Pick: Virginia Tech 
The Wolfpack (18-9) have been on a hot streak lately, sweeping GT two weeks ago at home and then winning a hard-fought series at Clemson last weekend.  The bats get the most publicity on this club but in all honesty the unsung hero has been the State bullpen.  No regular starter on the staff has more than 1 win on the year but if they hand it off to the pen in position to win it’s been a done deal.  They have the ability to play the righty/lefty matchup with their relief pitchers, they fill up the zone and strike batters at will it seems.  They are still batting .303 as a team, with 60 double and 43 home runs and have been scoring with more consistency.  Defense has been a struggle as they carry a .960 team fielding percentage.  The Hokies (18-7) are one of the best offensive clubs in the nation with a slash line of .322/.609/.425 and have an amazing 58 home runs and 40 stolen bases.  They are ultra-aggressive at the plate and don’t get cheated.  They are an exceptional fielding club with a .980 percentage and their rotation has been consistent and intact for most of the season.  They use a vast array of quality arms out of the bullpen, they are well rested and have done well keeping the game there for the explosive offense.  Both clubs are playing well, but Blacksburg has proven to be a difficult place for opponents to perform.  Virginia Tech looks primed to push their ACC record over .500 with the series win.  

Vin’s Pick: North Carolina State
North Carolina State is rolling after two series victories over previously ranked Clemson and Georgia Tech as they head to take on newly ranked Virginia Tech. The NC State offense is very impressive led by star freshman Tommy White as Virginia Tech’s offense is also more advanced than their pitching staff. It’ll be a slugfest of a weekend but I expect the Wolfpack to come out on top in two of three games.
 

Cal State Fullerton at Michigan 

Cozy's Pick: Michigan 
Two of the most historic programs line up in a non-conference battle in Ann Arbor this weekend.  Cal State Fullerton (10-17) is under the leadership of a new coaching staff and are experiencing some growing pains.  They are a little light on the offensive side with a slash line of .277/.384/.356 so far but they will swipe the occasional bag.  The pitching has been the biggest struggle with a 5.58 ERA and an OBA of .277 which is quite high.  They pick it up well and defend at a .970 clip and are off to a 5-4 record in Big West play.  It has the feel the Titans are trending in the right direction.  The Wolverines (14-14) season has been exactly what the numbers are showing as they have won 4 of their last 10 games and are 3-3 in Big Ten play.  They just haven’t gone on a run yet, but they have been decent with the sticks putting up 54 doubles, 35 home runs and stolen 34 bags.  The mound has been an ongoing adventure as they carry a 6.03 team ERA and teams bat a very high .283 against them.  They only have one regular starter with an ERA south of 5.00 and they give up almost 10 free bags per game.  If they can get to the bullpen with the lead, they usually secure the victory.  Both teams are desperately looking for a launching point to their season and this could be the weekend.  Michigan holds serve at home and should win at least two out of three. 

Vin’s Pick: Michigan
Fullerton vs. Michigan would’ve been a headline-grabbing matchup a decade ago but it still is pretty cool to see these two teams with this much history matchup. Fullerton has been in a tough slump the last couple of seasons and enter at 10-17 on the season while Michigan is at 14-14. Michigan should have enough depth and talent to get it done at home but it still should be a fun series to watch.


San Diego at Portland 

Cozy's Pick: Portland 
The Toreros (18-9) have played one of the most challenging schedules in the nation with the 7th ranked SOS to date.  They are steady team with the sticks as they are slashing .297/.434/.392 and have collected 26 home runs to go with 44 bags.  They are stingy on defense, fielding .978, only allowing 6.3 free bags per game and have only surrendered 10 stolen bases all year.  The game 3 starter has been an uncertainty all year but when they get to the bullpen in position to win, they usually do.  The Pilots (17-11) have been flying under the radar but are a team we’ve watched for a few weeks now.  They are an average club at the plate, don’t really slug and must win their games with pitching and defense.  They have one of the better one-two punches in the nation on the mound who have accounted for 10 of their wins and when they get to their closer it is a done deal.  They have a team ERA of 4.21 with an almost 3:1 K/BB ratio and field .975 overall.  Both teams make their opponents earn what they get, so it could be a defensive struggle this weekend.  Portland should be ready for their biggest series victory of the year and take 2 out of 3 at home.                                    

Vin’s Pick: San Diego
The Torreros are one of the more underrated teams in the country as both their win-loss record and their RPI resume tell the story of a very solid team. They’re coming off their second series loss of the year against San Francisco but I expect San Diego to right the ship and capture a series on the road at Portland.
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