Duke is coming off the best series win of the season, taking two of three on the road against previous No. 1 Wake Forest. The schedule doesn’t lighten up this week as they welcome a top ten Clemson team in their home opener. Clemson is a super complete team who only has one loss on the year and are well-positioned to pull off the upset.

Vin's Pick: Clemson


No. 7 Tennessee at No. 21 Alabama

You could say that the Vols (17-1) have been lurking in the shadows, but they have put up some loud numbers so far this year. Offensively, they are 2nd in the nation with 49 home runs and 4th in the nation with a 2.78 team ERA. Transfer Billy Amick has been as advertised with 9 home runs and 21 RBI heading into his first SEC series. They have yet to play a true road series, so this weekend will be a great measuring stick. The Crimson Tide (15-2) have exceeded external expectations so far and are playing like real a real force in the SEC West. Gage Miller carries a slash line of .478/.910/.548 leading a Top-10 offense that hits .343 and Alton Davis II is a force at the back end of the bullpen with 3 saves so far. These teams are incredibly similar, and this series should come down to the final pitch, but the Tennessee is looking like a Top-5 team right now.

Cozy’s Pick: Tennessee

This matchup features one of the top Friday night pitcher’s duels in the country as Alabama’s Ben Hess will go up against Tennessee’s Drew Beam. Whoever wins that duel will have a huge advantage but Alabama being the home team gives them a slight edfe that might be what it takes to get the edge in the series.

Vin's Pick: Alabama


No. 12 Auburn at No. 8 Vanderbilt

The Tigers (13-3) just seem to find different ways to win ball games, they do most everything well and typically don’t beat themselves. Ike Irish and Cooper McMurray are at the core of an offense that averages over 9.5 runs per game and they walk more than they strike out. The pitching rotation keeps them in the game but doesn’t really dominate opponents and the bullpen has been a “by committee” situation thus far. The Commodores (15-3) have one of the best 4-man rotations in the nation with Carter Holton, Devin Futrell, Bryce Cunningham, and JD Thompson who are a combined (9-0) on the year. Offensively, they have a real blend of power and speed as they are currently 7th in the nation with 45 stolen bases. The little things will be the deciding factor in this series and playing at home should give Vanderbilt the advantage they need.

Cozy’s Pick: Vanderbilt

This should be a very contested SEC matchup as Vanderbilt welcomes a very solid Auburn team to Nashville. Vanderbilt has had to deal with some injuries but still boast a deep lineup with talented starting pitching and I expect that to carry the Commodores in their first weekend of SEC play.

Vin's Pick: Vanderbilt


Notre Dame at No. 19 Florida State

The Irish (11-5) are looking to bounce back from getting swept by Virginia Tech in their ACC opening series a week ago. They have only played one home game in 2024 so far and are obviously used to playing on the road. They can hit the long ball and are 7th in the nation with 36 home runs and average over 9 runs per game. The pitching staff is still trying to find its footing and carries an inflated team ERA of 6.73 which doesn’t bode well in Tallahassee. The Seminoles (15-0) defeated archrival Florida in the mid-week and are one of only two undefeated D1 teams left in the nation. The baseball world is just now starting to appreciate how good this club really is. They are 2nd in the nation with a .376 batting average, 4th in the nation in SLG% and runs per game, while they are 6th in team ERA and 2nd in Ks per game. The way things add up, it looks like FSU will still be undefeated heading into next week.

Cozy’s Pick: Florida State