DALLAS (NCBWA) – The National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association continues its tradition of NCAA Division I polls for the 24th year with its 2021 weekly surveys, and Arkansas is No. 1 for the 2021-high fifth week this season.
Southeastern Conference schools - Arkansas, Florida, Ole Miss and Vanderbilt also have topped each of the NCBWA Top 30 polls this season.
Though the 30 ranked teams remained the same from April 12-19, there were some notable upward changes in the survey. Arkansas at No. 1, Vanderbilt 2 and Texas 3 stayed in their positions, while Mississippi State moved one place from No. 5 to 4, Texas Tech advanced from No. 8 to 6, and TCU leapt from No. 12 to 8. Florida also climbed six places from No. 16 to 10 to join the First 10 again.
There have been 12 conferences (nine for the third successive week) represented in the first 10 standings of 2021, and there were 15 different conferences included in the COVID-19 abbreviated NCBWA polls in 2020.
The 2021 poll voters come from among 33 college baseball writers and related media persons from throughout the nation. The 21 season features 302 NCAA Division I baseball-playing schools, and for more information or to join the NCBWA please go to www.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.