Usually, the time following the Super Bowl is among the quietest in the sports world. Saturdays without college football are many, and the offseason is long.
But just days after the confetti fell on Santa Clara, we’re gifted the nation’s most underrated and exciting sport: college baseball.
And for 2026, sportsbooks were proactive about getting markets out to bettors, including "To Make the College World Series" — a challenging prop that can be rewarding.
I found a handful of bets to make in the market this preseason. At the end, I have a couple of teams to monitor based on early-season success (or failure) that may warrant bets at a future time.
With that said, let's take a look at my college baseball futures and "To Make the College World Series" picks for the 2026 season.
UCLA Bruins (+175)
Last year, UCLA made a run through the preseason that ended with one of the eight coveted spots in Omaha. The Bruins took Game 1 but lost their next two to LSU and Arkansas, ending their run short at the championship series.
Of the nine starters present on that squad, eight return for 2026.
Shortstop Roch Cholowsky is a preseason favorite for the Golden Spikes Award and one of the strongest contenders to be the first overall pick in the upcoming MLB Draft. First baseman Mulivai Levu is a returning All-America selection, as well.
The biggest question mark — which, in this case, means merely an above-average unit, not a bad one — is starting pitching.
UCLA added San Diego starter Logan Reddemann (2.98 ERA) to fill in Friday night, and freshman Angel Cervantes could work his way into that rotation. Essentially, the Bruins have options.
Making the College World Series in consecutive seasons is hard. Last year, none of the eight were in Omaha the season before; in 2024, we had three repeats in Florida, Tennessee and Virginia.
But if any team is poised to lock in a consecutive spot in Omaha, it’s UCLA.
Pick: UCLA to Make the CWS (+175)
North Carolina Tar Heels (+275)
North Carolina held a 3-1 lead at home going into the eighth inning with a spot in the College World Series well within its grasp. It had an opportunity down, 4-3, in the bottom of that inning with two runners in scoring position to win the game.
But UNC failed to secure that game (and a previous 1-0 start in the Chapel Hill Super Regional) or a spot in Omaha.
Talk about being on the verge.
In the postseason, pitching trumps all. North Carolina may have the best bullpen in the country and possibly an elite rotation.
Jason DeCaro (3.78) returns as the Friday night ace, and sophomore Ryan Lynch (3.08) is probably the next ace up. Few teams have as many answers on the mound as the Tar Heels.
Hitting, though, is a legitimate concern. Forty-four home runs departed this offseason, and six starters are transfers.
Although inbound hitters like Colin Hynek (Georgia State) and Erik Paulsen (Stony Brook) bring lots of potential, that’s all it is for now — potential.
Should that lineup come together — second baseman Gavin Gallaher returns 17 home runs — North Carolina could be in the mix for 50-plus wins and a sprint to Omaha.
It’s easy to see where this is an improved roster from the one that choked last June.
Pick: North Carolina to Make the CWS (+275)
TCU Horned Frogs (+550)
Inconsistencies at the plate forced an early postseason exit for TCU. The Horned Frogs went 0-2 with a -17 run differential in the Corvallis Regional, losing to USC and Oregon State.
Fortunately for them, many of the players on the 2025 roster return for 2026.
Three projected weekend starters are returners, including ace Tommy LaPour (3.09) and flamethrower Mason Brassfield (4.11).
Louis Rodriguez, who would have been in contention to close or at least be a major contributor from the bullpen, is out for the season, which hurts the depth on the mound.
Batting should be a major improvement this year.
In 2024, head coach Kirk Saarloos preached a more conservative approach at the plate, leading to hitters getting behind in counts and not generating enough hits and runs.
Last year, that changed, but much of the talent at the plate was young. This year, that young talent is now mature talent.
Sawyer Strosnider landed on several preseason All-America lists, and Jack Bell looks to take a leap forward into the true cleanup threat he was brought in to be.
TCU also added 15 homers in first baseman transfer Rob Liddington Jr. from Incarnate Word. Power hitting remains the clear weakness here.
But this team is deep enough to make a long postseason run, and the coaching staff has plenty of experience. TCU was a team on the verge of making the leap and is an excellent candidate to do so this year.
Pick: TCU to Make the CWS (+550)
College World Series Contenders to Watch
Texas Longhorns
Texas’ ceiling is as high as anyone’s in the country.
The Longhorns play a tournament in Houston that features Coastal Carolina, plus Baylor and Ohio State. An early loss or two in there could push this number despite a favorable conference slate.
If the number gets there, I'd bet the Horns at +250 or better.
Verdict: Texas to Make the CWS (+250 or Better)
Arkansas Razorbacks
The Razorbacks start the year with Oklahoma State, TCU and Texas Tech in Arlington. Drop two of those, and we may see a better price than the preseason +140.
However, a 3-0 sweep there, and the train likely leaves the station.
The starting pitching is as good as anywhere, but we’ve all seen the Arkansas song and dance before. If this number gets to 2-1, I'd bet the Hogs to return to Omaha.
Verdict: Arkansas to Make the CWS (+200 or Better)
Duke Blue Devils
I’m not waiting for the price to improve (+1300 is juicy); I’m waiting to evaluate this brand new Duke squad first.
The Blue Devils have a recent history of coming close to Omaha and turning in elite pitching talent. Corey Muscara, the pitching coach, was elevated to head coach after last season.
Their test doesn’t really start until conference play, so don’t fret losing this price for a while.
Verdict: Duke to Make the CWS (+1000 or Better · Need to See More)
