LSU Opens Up 2026 as #1 in NCBWA Division 1 Preseason Poll

The LSU Tigers have claimed the top spot in the 2026 NCBWA Division I Preseason Poll, released on February 9, 2026, marking their fourth time earning preseason No. 1 honors in the poll’s history. This comes fresh off their 2025 NCAA championship victory, where they finished with a strong 53-15 record.

As defending national champions, LSU heads into the new season with high expectations, leading a competitive top five that includes:

• No. 2: UCLA (Big Ten, 48-18 in 2025, previously No. 6)
• No. 3: Texas (SEC, 44-14, previously No. 17)
• No. 4: Georgia Tech (ACC, 41-19, receiving votes previously)
• No. 5: Arkansas (SEC, 50-15, previously No. 3)

The poll, now in its 29th year from the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA), highlights the Southeastern Conference’s (SEC) dominance with a record 12 teams ranked in the expanded Top 30 (future weekly polls will revert to Top 25). This underscores the SEC’s depth as the premier conference for college baseball heading into 2026.

The ACC follows with 9 teams in the Top 30, while other conferences like the Big 12 (3), Big Ten (2), Sun Belt (2), American (1), and independent Oregon State (No. 11) also make strong showings. Notably, four different conferences are represented in the Top 15, reflecting broad national talent distribution.

LSU’s history in the NCBWA preseason rankings is impressive—they were the inaugural No. 1 in 1998 and have now claimed the spot in 1998, 2001, 2023, and 2026. The poll also notes standout returnees like NCBWA Preseason All-American Derek Curiel, who bolsters the Tigers’ lineup as they defend their title.

The preseason poll features 69 schools from 15 conferences either ranked or receiving votes, though not as broad as the 2021 record of 83. Weekly Top 25 polls begin February 16, with the season finale set after the NCAA Men’s College World Series in Omaha (June 12-21/22, 2026).

This ranking positions LSU as the team to beat, but with heavy competition from fellow College World Series participants and rising programs, the 2026 campaign promises exciting battles from Opening Day.