Omaha Eight: 2025 College World Series Preview and Best Bets

In the heart of Omaha, where college baseball legends are made, eight of the sport’s elite have gathered to decide a national champion.

The road here featured historic upsets, ninth-inning heroics, and dominant performances from the sport’s best. But now that the celebrations have faded, eight teams enter the weekend needing five wins to capture a national title.

The format is simple. The eight remaining teams are split into two regional-style brackets. These four-team, double-elimination pods will play out between Friday and Wednesday. The two teams that advance from their respective brackets will meet in the national championship, which is a best-of-three series beginning Saturday, June 21.

Arizona, Coastal Carolina (13), Oregon State (8), and Louisville make up the left side of the bracket. On the right side are UCLA (15), Murray State, LSU (6), and Arkansas (3). The field includes five national seeds but just two teams from the SEC, which earned thirteen total bids.

Here is a preview of each bracket, including best bets to win it all.

Bracket One (Begins Friday) *Odds listed are for each team to win the national championship

Game 1

Arizona (+1400)

Coastal Carolina (+600)

Game 2

Oregon State (+650)

Louisville (+1700)

Arizona went to Chapel Hill and stunned the Tar Heels on back-to-back days after taking a beatdown on Friday. The Wildcats have been on a serious run away from home, winning the Big 12 Tournament, the Eugene Regional, and the Chapel Hill Super Regional. The starting pitching has been inconsistent, but the bullpen locked down North Carolina and has proven tough to beat when Arizona holds a lead. The home run surge got them through the early rounds, but timely two-out singles made the difference in the Super Regional. Arizona remains overlooked but is talented, battle-tested, and playing with confidence.

Their opening opponent is Coastal Carolina, one of the top pitching teams in the country. The Chanticleers overpowered No. 4-seeded Auburn on the road by sticking to their identity. They outdueled opponents on the mound and delivered in the clutch offensively. Their 3.21 ERA ranks second nationally, and they have looked sharp throughout the postseason. Coastal entered the tournament with 48 wins and some doubts about whether that success would translate to power-conference competition. So far, the answer is a resounding yes.

Oregon State turned heads in the postseason following a strong regular season without conference affiliation. They hosted Florida State in the Super Regional and erased a 4–1 deficit with a three-run ninth inning in game one to win 5–4. After a game two loss, they exploded for 14 runs in the decider. Oregon State has looked balanced and confident. With only 19 home games this season, they may be the most road-tested team in the field.

They will take on a surging Louisville team that has quietly played its best baseball of the year. In a season full of ups and downs, the Cardinals have found momentum at the perfect time. Ace pitcher Patrick Forbes has been the key all year and will likely start the opener against the Beavers. That could put Louisville in the winner’s bracket with a victory. The rest of the rotation has been inconsistent, and the offense leans on small ball, but it has been enough so far. The question is whether they can keep it going.

Prediction

This bracket features several great stories, but only one team will advance to the championship. Coastal Carolina and Arizona are arguably the two hottest teams remaining, but the Chanticleers’ elite pitching staff gives them the edge. I expect Coastal and Oregon State to be the final two standing in this group, with Coastal’s consistency carrying them through.

The Pick: Coastal Carolina

Bracket Two (Begins Saturday) *Odds listed are for each team to win the national championship

Game 1

UCLA (+900)

Murray State (+4500)

Game 2

Arkansas (+195)

LSU (+230)

UCLA is the lone Big Ten representative still standing and brings an undefeated postseason record into Omaha. The Bruins are not receiving much attention, but they have quietly dominated every step of the way. They have won each tournament game by at least three runs and have outscored opponents 50–16. Led by infielder Roch Cholowsky, who is hitting .367 with 23 home runs, UCLA has five hitters batting over .300. They are deep and balanced, just like several of the teams that have made deep runs in past tournaments.

They open against the Cinderella story of the bracket, Murray State. The Racers were a No. 4 seed in the Oxford Regional and were blown out in their first game. They responded by winning two elimination games and then shocked Duke in back-to-back contests to advance. Murray State became only the fourth No. 4 seed to reach Omaha. The offense has powered the Racers through, with just enough pitching to survive. It has been a remarkable run for the Ohio Valley champs.

The marquee game of the first round is Arkansas versus LSU. The Razorbacks have looked locked in all tournament. They swept their regional, then rolled through Tennessee in the Super Regional. They rank top 15 nationally in both ERA and batting average. With an RPI of 1 and SEC Player of the Year Wehiwa Aloy leading the way, Arkansas is loaded with talent and playing with purpose.

LSU has taken a smoother path than expected, aside from a surprise loss to Little Rock in the regional. They have the kind of offensive firepower that can challenge Arkansas’ pitching. These are the two teams with the shortest odds to win it all, and it is a bit of a shame they meet this early in the tournament. Still, this game could shape the entire bracket and should be one of the best matchups of the weekend.

Prediction

The winner of LSU versus Arkansas should gain early control of this side of the bracket. UCLA is dangerous and balanced, but the power and depth of the SEC squads give them an edge. While I love the Murray State story, I do not think it will be enough against this level of competition. UCLA should reach the bracket final, but Arkansas feels like the most complete team in the entire field. They have the look of a program ready to break through.

The Pick: Arkansas

Best Bets

Arkansas (+195)

This number feels aggressive for a tournament that still features eight teams, but it reflects how far ahead the Razorbacks appear to be. They are the most complete team in the field and are capable of winning in any style. Take them now and expect them to roll.

UCLA (+900)

If LSU pulls off a win over Arkansas, this bracket becomes much more open. UCLA has been one of the most dominant teams in the postseason and has the depth to go the distance. There is real value here.

Arizona (+1400)

This team has four national championships and a winning pedigree. They were left for dead in Chapel Hill and came back to win twice in dramatic fashion. With top-end MLB talent in the lineup and a fearless style, Arizona is a team no one wants to face. This is the longshot worth watching.