DALLAS (NCBWA) The National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association continues its tradition of NCAA Division I polls for the 21st year with its 2018 weekly surveys. This week there is a new No. 1, as Oregon State takes over the position after Florida held down the spot for the first three weeks of the season.
Oregon State is the new No. 1 after going 3-1 last week, including a series win over Cal State Fullerton at home. The Beavers are now 15-1 overall.
The Gators dropped down to No. 2 after going 3-2 last week, sweeping Rhode Island in a three-game series, but dropping both midweek contests to UCF.
Lots of shuffling from spots three through 10 this week, starting with Stanford joining the top three for the first time this season after they went 3-1 in a series at Texas last week. Overall they are 14-2 on the season.
Kentucky also moved up a spot to No. 4 after taking two-of-three from last weeks No. 3, Texas Tech at home. The Red Raiders moved down to No. 5 after the series loss at Kentucky.
Florida State also dropped two spots, down to No. 6 after losing a series against Wake Forest on the road.
Texas A&M and Ole Miss each jumped up a spot, to No. 7 and No. 8, respectively, after each going 5-0 last week.
Arkansas also moved up one spot to No. 9 after a series win at home over Kent State.
Clemson joins the top 10 this week, jumping up from No. 13 after an impressive 5-0 mark last week, including a sweep of conference foe Georgia Tech.
Newcomers into the rankings this week include Duke at No. 24, UNLV at No. 25, Alabama at No. 27, Stetson at No. 28 and Oregon at No. 30.
The 2018 poll voters come from among 35 college baseball writers and related media persons from throughout the nation. After a preseason Top 35 listing, the remainder of the polls will feature a national Top 30 beginning with the Feb. 19 NCBWA DI survey.
The current survey has representation by 12 different conferences among the 299 baseball-playing schools in the 2018 NCAA Division I ranks. The rankings of 2017 had 13 different DI conferences rated at least one week. For more information or to join the NCBWA, please go to ncbwa.com.
Founded in 1962, the NCBWA is dedicated to the advancement of college baseball. Membership is open to writers, broadcasters and publicists of the sport. Members receive a membership card, directory, newsletter updates and official votes in the Dick Howser Trophy, Regional Players of the Year and NCBWA All-America voting. The NCBWA also sponsors Division I Players of the Week, the Stopper of the Year, and publication and writing contests.