While Punxsutawney Phil predicted six more weeks of winter, the first sign of spring is almost upon us. Opening Day for college baseball teams across the country is Friday, Feb. 13.
The beginning of a new season brings renewed hope and aspirations for every team to be the one to dogpile in Omaha come June. However, as the season progresses, the field of true contenders will narrow, and it's best find those teams now.
I've found three teams that can win it all when June rolls around, so let's take a look at my college baseball picks and College World Series futures for the 2026 season.
Georgia Bulldogs (+1400)
Georgia is the 2026 poster child for what college sports have become over the past few years. This Bulldogs team is as experienced as it gets, bringing in 22 Division I transfers in the offseason.
Their heavy use of the transfer portal has created a team with tremendous depth and talent, many of whom will get their chance to shine on a bigger stage in the SEC, as many of their projected starters have come from mid-major teams.
Now, the SEC will test this group immensely throughout the conference schedule, but we should see the Bulldogs' upside shine in these games. Series victories over their conference foes will only cut their odds in this market.
However, this team is not all speculation. Georgia has five bats coming off seasons with double-digit home runs, along with seven players who hit over .300.
The experience could prove especially crucial on the mound, as pitching depth has plagued this Georgia program in the past. In those days, UGA's daunting lineups were unable to outslug teams game in and game out.
In 2026, Georgia will have three upperclassmen in its rotation, and the underclassman is two-way lefty Kenny Ishikawa, who's as versatile a ballplayer as could be.
Once this team begins to gel, it will be a force in the toughest conference in the country.
Pick: Georgia to Win CWS (+1400 · bet365)
Texas Longhorns (+1500)
Every fall, many around the country proclaimed that Texas was back, as its team on the gridiron was formidable. However, Arch Manning and company didn't exactly meet those expectations, but Jim Schlossnagle's boys on the diamond certainly can.
One thing that's critical to success in Omaha is pitching depth, and the Longhorns may have the most in the country. All three projected starters in the rotation had ERAs of 3.06 or lower, and they'll be supported by the deepest bullpen in the country.
This is a team that, if they hold the lead by the mid-innings, the game could very well be over — especially once they get to the ninth when Thomas Burns takes the mound.
Getting the lead isn't much of a question mark either, as the lineup is laced with high-contact bats that also hold plenty of power.
The name to watch in catcher Carson Tinney, who comes over from Notre Dame, where he hit .348 with 17 home runs as a sophomore.
The Bulldogs may have better odds, but the Longhorns are D1Baseball's No. 3 team in the country. It would not surprise me if they enter NCAA Regionals as the nation's top team.
Buy in now. Texas is back.
Pick: Texas to Win CWS (+1500 · bet365)
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (+2800)
The Yellow Jackets are a team primed to buck trends in many ways this season.
They have arguably the most formidable lineup in the country, led by Drew Burress, Vahn Lackey, Alex Hernandez and Jarren Advincula, who are all first-round MLB Draft talents.
The lineup is littered with power, but this group of position players is also very capable defensively, further raising an already high floor.
Georgia Tech's season will come down to the men on the mound.
The Yellow Jackets have tremendous upside with a flame-throwing ace Tate McKee, and Mason Patel, who was one of the nation's best long-relievers last season, holding a 3.47 ERA over 70 innings in 22 appearances.
Although, after them, things aren't as certain. Multiple extremely talented arms won't enter the season with a defined role. That could help or hurt the Yellow Jackets, as many have tremendous stuff, but the length and command of that stuff is unknown.
This Georgia Tech team is one in need of a deep postseason run. In fact, the Yellow Jackets haven't won a regional since 2006.
With one of the best lineups in the country and the amount of upside on their pitching staff, the Yellow Jackets are severely undervalued at their current price.
Pick: Georgia Tech to Win CWS (+2800 · BetRivers)
