So often when talking about college baseball there is a reference made to “a top 40 program”
Yet each year there are new teams ranked in the top 40.
Does the “top 40” change from year to year based on that year’s results? Does a top 40 program lose that designation if they have an off year? Does one good year make a team a top 40 program?
No one ever seems to say who the “top 40” programs are, yet that label is thrown around all the time.
Anyway, it got me to thinking. I know that is dangerous, but thought I’d come up with a non official top 40 list. Surely there will be some debate, but here is what I came up with. This is not based on 2008 alone.
What changes should be made to this list if we had to stick to only 40 programs?
Listed alphabetically…
ALABAMA ARIZONA ARIZONA STATE ARKANSAS AUBURN BAYLOR CAL IRVINE CAL STATE FULLERTON CALIFORNIA CLEMSON COASTAL CAROLINA FLORIDA FLORIDA STATE GEORGIA GEORGIA TECH KENTUCKY LONG BEACH STATE LOUISIANA STATE MIAMI MICHIGAN MISSISSIPPI MISSISSIPPI STATE MISSOURI NEBRASKA NORTH CAROLINA NORTH CAROLINA STATE NOTRE DAME OKLAHOMA OKLAHOMA STATE OREGON STATE RICE SOUTH CAROLINA SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA STANFORD TENNESSEE TEXAS TEXAS A&M TULANE UCLA VANDERBILT VIRGINIA WAKE FOREST WICHITA STATE
Posts: 4742 | Location: Cedar Rapids, Iowa | Registered: December 27, 2002
PGstaff, while I would propose some changes, I believe you have captured the programs that most would consider Top 40. From my seat, I don't think California belongs. I would replace them with Pepperdine. I think Pepperdine does belong based on a very long history of being a solid, nationally ranked team year in and year out.Cal has very top talent but year in and year out has underachieved with the talent they have. USD is power house of more recent origin. Looking at them comparatively, both Kentucky and USD are later arrivals on the national scene. IMO, USD has done far more at a higher level so I would include USD and remove Kentucky.
'You don't have to be a great player to play in the major leagues, you've got to be a good one every day.'
Posts: 2011 | Location: ca | Registered: February 11, 2003
I think PG did a good job recognizing top programs that do make it on the scene consistantly, key word here (with some maybe having down years) which I beleive was his criteria for his top40. Not too familiar with the California teams. I think if he expanded to 50 we might see some teams considered "bubble teams" who are also in the hunt every year, TCU and maybe Fresno State?
JMO.
Posts: 10438 | Location: South Florida | Registered: July 28, 2003
You have to include Coastal Carolina. That's a no brainer. I would also include TCU, and with decent seasons, I would put Houston and Sam Houston State up there as well.
Here are the top 50 rankings by ISR per Boyd Nation over the past 10 seasons. It is obviously weighted toward consistancy over that period, leaving notable current powers like Vandy and Coastal out. What is your top 40? Different criteria will get different results.
Posts: 4721 | Location: Florida | Registered: December 26, 2002
Is Michigan in there as a token big 10 team? I realize they knocked of Vanderbilt last year in the regionals, but I'm not sure about them as a top 40 program over time.
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Posts: 1322 | Location: northern burbs, IL | Registered: November 15, 2006
Averages for the past ten years have no bearing on what a team will do this year
I agree 100%. Boyds list provides some reference to performance over a period of time, preceeding the current date, and perhaps some validity to a "top 40" list of teams. I think, but I certainly could be wrong, PG was looking for opinions of what makes a "top 40 team". Performance over a few seasons might be one measurement. Being a numbers person, I sort of like Boyds list of who is a top 40 team.
Posts: 4721 | Location: Florida | Registered: December 26, 2002
Originally posted by CPLZ: Is Michigan in there as a token big 10 team? I realize they knocked of Vanderbilt last year in the regionals, but I'm not sure about them as a top 40 program over time.
I overlooked Michigan being in there and also question their being a top 40 team at this point as well as Notre Dame. Notre Dame has had some good years (with one excellent one) over the past 4-5 seasons but have also had some average ones against a moderately strong schedule. They certainly aren't one of the teams I think of when the CWS rolls around.
Posts: 313 | Location: Charlotte, NC, USA | Registered: June 27, 2003
Jerry- USD would have to be included for lots of reasons. I think Cal has the talent to make a Super Regional. That said, I thought the same thing two years ago.
Posts: 292 | Location: northern california | Registered: January 01, 2003
Yikes!!! I completely missed the fact that Long Beach State isn't on the top 40 list. I think most of the coaches of those top 40 would agree they belong, especially after they play them a few times.
'You don't have to be a great player to play in the major leagues, you've got to be a good one every day.'
Posts: 2011 | Location: ca | Registered: February 11, 2003
Due to the NCAA rule changes,I believe the top 40 list is also going change. We might be entering a new era in collegiate baseball rankings. This is just my speculation from observing the newly recruited talented players on my son's team. I have a feeling other schools could also be experiencing a rise in recruitment talent.
Posts: 59 | Location: Alabama | Registered: December 30, 2002
I'm not sure the overall strength of an athletic program is more relevant that the performance of a baseball program. Some of the football schools, like ND, Michigan, Georgia and Tennessee could be easily replaced with baseball schools like UCI, The Dirtbags, UC Riverside and Pepperdine, imvho.
Posts: 4721 | Location: Florida | Registered: December 26, 2002
The issue I have with your rankings is the same issue I have with most college baseball publications. It's always about the major conferences and the teams in those conferences.
With the new rules that take affect next season, you will see a dash towards the middle. The safety of the easy pick by the so called experts will be much more difficult.
I believe this will make college baseball better game because everyone wants to feel like they are included and right now only a select few -(relative term) seem to be part of the overall conversation.
Posts: 74 | Location: USA | Registered: July 27, 2004
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