College World Series: Vanderbilt is the favorite, but Florida State is the story

NCAA College World Series Highlights:

• When: June 15-26
• Where: TD Ameritrade Park, Omaha, Nebraska
• TV: ESPN and ESPN2

What are the Latest College World Series Betting Odds and Predictions?

Vanderbilt (3-1), Arkansas (7-2), Mississippi State (7-2), Louisville (8-1), Texas Tech (8-1), Florida State (10-1), Auburn (10-1), Michigan (15-1).

NCAA College World Series Teams Preview

Vanderbilt, which won the powerful Southeastern Conference regular season and conference tournament and has been ranked No. 1 in the country most of the season, comes in as the favorite for the 2019 College World Series.

And rightfully so.

The Commodores (54-11) are the winningest team in the country, have an 8-1 record combined against the other teams in the World Series, breezed through their regional and came back to beat Duke after losing the first game of the Super Regional.

Make no mistake, Vanderbilt is legit.

But while the Nashville school is the betting favorite, the sentimental choice has to be Florida State.

The Seminoles (41-21) in legendary coach Mike Martin’s final season were one of the last teams to qualify for the 64-team field when they failed to make it to the quarterfinals of the ACC Tournament.

They bounced back to crush favorite Georgia in the Regional and then swept LSU, 2-0, in the Super Regional to advance to the CWS.

Martin, who will retire after 40 years with FSU, has won at least 40 games all 40 years; he won 50 games, 24 times and 60 games, twice. This will be his 17th trip to the World Series. He’s finished twice, twice. But never won it. Could there be a more storybook ending to his storied career?

Here’s a quick look at the other six NCAA College World Series teams.

Arkansas (46-18)

The Razorbacks, who lost last year’s CWS to Oregon State in heartbreaking fashion, finished second in the loaded SEC West behind Mississippi State this year. They went 6-3 combined against the rest of the field and are without question a team to fear.

Mississippi State (51-13)

State won the regular season West title, but lost all three times it faced Arkansas. They wouldn’t meet again until the final, but it bears watching. MSU was also just 3-5 against the rest of the field.

Louisville (49-10)

The Cardinals won the always-tough ACC, but faltered in the conference tournament. They bounced back to win their regional and simply desired East Carolina in the Super Regional. They open with Vanderbilt, if they pull off the upset, look out.

Texas Tech (44-18)

The Big 12 champion beat its opening opponent, Michigan, three times this season, so keep that in mind. They can win that game again, but getting past either Arkansas or Florida State to reach the final might be too much.

Auburn (38-26)

The Tigers finished under .500 at 14-16 in the powerful SEC. They made it to regional play and upset Georgia Tech in Atlanta. They then upset North Carolina in Chapel Hill at the Super Regional. This team can hit, so don’t count them out.

Michigan (46-20)

In the biggest upset of the Super Regionals, and maybe of the entire tournament, the Wolverines shocked No. 1 UCLA. They are on a nice roll, but might have their hands full in this crowd.

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