College World Series Preview Part 1

Complete CWS Schedule
(All Times Central)
Friday, June 17
Bracket 1
Game 1 -- Tennessee vs. Florida, 1:00 p.m. (ESPN2)
Game 2 -- Nebraska vs. Arizona State, 6:00 p.m. (ESPN2)
Saturday, June 18
Bracket 2
Game 3 -- Tulane vs. Oregon State, 1:00 p.m. (ESPN)
Game 4 -- Baylor vs. Texas, 6:00 p.m. (ESPN)
Sunday, June 19
Bracket 1
Game 5 -- Loser Game 1 vs. Loser Game 2, 1:00 p.m. (ESPN)
Game 6 -- Winner Game 1. vs Winner Game 2, 6:00 p.m. (ESPN2)
Monday, June 20
Bracket 2
Game 7 -- Loser Game 3, vs. Loser Game 4, 1:00 p.m. (ESPN)
Game 8 -- Winner Game 3, vs. Winner Game 4, 6:00 p.m. (ESPN)
Tuesday, June 21
Bracket 1
Game 9 -- Loser Game 6 vs. Winner Game 5, 1:00 p.m. (ESPN)
Bracket 2
Game 10 -- Loser Games 8 vs. Winner Game 7, 6:00 p.m. (ESPN)
Wednesday, June 22
Bracket 1
Game 11 -- Winner Game 6 vs. Winner Game 9, 1:00 p.m. (ESPN)
Bracket 2
Game 12 -- Winner Game 8, vs. Winner Game 10, 6:00 p.m. (ESPN2)
Thursday, June 23
Game 13 -- if necessary, noon (ESPN)
Game 14 -- if necessary, 6:00 p.m. (ESPN)
Saturday, June 25
Championship Game 1 (bracket winners), 6:00 p.m. (ESPN)
Sunday, June 26
Championship Game 2, 2:00 p.m. (ESPN)
Monday, June 27
Championship Game 3, if necessary, 6:00 p.m. (ESPN)

A rundown of the teams in bracket 1

Arizona State - Their pitching staff really isn't that strong, but they make up for it with big bats and scrappiness. That's usually not a formula for playoff success at any level, but the Sun Devils did knock of defending champ Cal State-Fullerton.

Florida - 3 good, but not great, starters, a very good bullpen (which is saying something for the college game), and one of the best collections of sluggers in the nation with 4 players hitting double-digit homers.

Tennesse - A great lineup that leads all CWS teams in team batting average (.333) and is second among the 8 teams here in runs per game (8.1). The problem with this team is that aside from Dodgers draftee Luke Hochenvar, there's not much pitching depth.

Nebraska - What else can I say about this team that hasn't already been said. 6 major league draftees, the second-best ERA in the nation, the Big 12 Player of the Year Alex Gordon anchoring a great lineup that improved during the conference schedule, and probably the best fielding defense in collegiate baseball. If the other teams in bracket 1 have championship aspirations, they are going to have to find a way to beat Nebraska twice.

Tomorrow: Part 2
Later Today on Spur of the Moment: Game 4 Preview