The Lineup: Big 12 and Big Ten Top-25 Showdowns in Week 9

A gauntlet of games spans the SEC, Big Ten, ACC, and Big 12 this weekend. Meanwhile, a key mid-major matchup in Boca Raton, Florida, could shape the fate of a conference. Lastly, heated rivalries take the diamond, setting the stage for an exciting weekend of action in college softball.

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1. No. 16 Ohio State @ No. 11 UCLA

Where: Los Angeles, California
When: April 4-5
What’s it on: BIG+

What do we want to see: Ohio State leads the nation in home runs, blasting 89 this season—20 more than the next closest team. Meanwhile, UCLA ranks in the top 10 nationally in ERA. This pivotal Big Ten series will showcase the Buckeyes’ power at the plate against the depth of the Bruins’ bullpen. With hosting implications on the line, a win or two would be a significant résumé booster for Ohio State, which is aiming to host a regional for the first time since 2010.

2. No. 13 Arkansas @ No. 2 Florida

Where: Gainesville, Florida
When: April 4-6
What’s it on: Fri & Sun: SECN+, Sat: ESPNU

What do we want to see: The Razorbacks have won their last two SEC series but face their toughest test yet on the road in Gainesville. With the return of Keagan Rothrock, Florida looked like a more complete team in its road sweep of Auburn. Arkansas, powered by strong bullpen performances and Bri Ellis at the plate, is playing its best softball of the season. How dominant can Robyn Herron be against a lefty-favored Gators lineup? And how will Rothrock fare against an Arkansas offense hitting its stride?

3. No. 24 Oklahoma State @ No. 10 Arizona

Where: Tucson, Arizona
When: April 4-6
What’s it on: ESPN+

What do we want to see: This feels like a crucial series for the Cowgirls. A preseason top-10 team, Oklahoma State under head coach Kenny Gajewski has wavered more this year than in seasons past. Meanwhile, Arizona is off to its best start of the Caitlin Lowe era. The Wildcats will lean on Miranda Stoddard and Devyn Netz, two of the nation’s top two-way players. For Oklahoma State, Ruby Meylan will need to quiet a potent Arizona offense if the Cowgirls want to walk away with a series win.

4. No. 17 Mississippi State @ No. 9 Tennessee

Where: Knoxville, Tennessee
When: April 4-6
What’s it on: Fri & Sat: SECN, Sun: SECN+

What do we want to see: This matchup could come down to pitching. Mississippi State’s Raelin Chaffin is having a storybook senior season, posting career-best numbers. Tennessee’s Karlyn Pickens has been dominant in the circle as well, leading the Lady Vols to a series win over Oklahoma last week. Mississippi State let a series win slip away against Texas—how will the Bulldogs respond to another top-10 test? Meanwhile, can Tennessee ride its momentum and avoid a hangover after last weekend’s monumental victory?

5. No. 15 Ole Miss @ No. 7 South Carolina

Where: Columbia, South Carolina
When: April 4-6
What’s it on: Fri: SECN+, Sat & Sun: SECN

What do we want to see: Two of the most surprising teams in softball, South Carolina and Ole Miss have found different ways to win this season. A key to the Rebels’ success has been two-way star Aliyah Binford, but freshman Miali Guachino has emerged as the go-to arm in the circle. The Gamecocks feature a balanced offensive attack and have relied on Jori Heard and Sam Gress in the circle. Both teams are looking to establish themselves in the top half of the SEC, and this series could be a decisive factor.

6. No. 21 Clemson @ No. 18 Stanford

Where: Stanford, California
When: April 4-6
What’s it on: ACCNX

What do we want to see: These two teams are both vying for the ACC to secure another potential host bid. Sitting in the top 17 of the RPI, Stanford will lean on an offense that ranks in the top 10 in batting average, while Clemson turns to its deep pitching staff and a solid batting core led by Alex Brown and Maddie Moore. Sitting in the top half of the ACC, this is one of the biggest series of the season for both teams. Which team will take advantage of this crucial conference series?

7. No. 22 Alabama @ No. 5 LSU

Where: Baton Rouge, Louisiana
When: April 4-6
What’s it on: Fri: SECN+, Sat: ESPN2, Sun: ESPNU

What do we want to see: Alabama has won four straight, including its first series victory over Georgia this past weekend. LSU, meanwhile, dropped its first two home games of the season and is looking to regain momentum. The Tigers have developed a reputation in recent years for fading in the second half of conference play. After suffering their first home loss of the season last week, can they bounce back with a series win over a surging Alabama squad? Meanwhile, can the Tide, looking to bolster their résumé, steal a road series in the challenging Tiger Park environment?

8. No. 4 Texas A&M @ No. 23 Georgia

Where: Athens, Georgia
When: April 5-7
What’s it on: Sat: ESPN2, Sun & Mon: SECN

What do we want to see: Georgia has managed to salvage a game in each of its first four conference series but has yet to secure a series win. This weekend presents a big opportunity for the Bulldogs against a Texas A&M team that continues to impress. What the Aggies lack in power, they make up for with a deep pitching staff. Georgia, however, will need its offense to solve the Aggie arms. With Georgia’s Lilli Backes and Randi Roelling expected to take the circle multiple times, can the Bulldogs supply enough offense to grind out their first SEC series victory?

9. North Carolina @ No. 19 Duke

Where: Durham, North Carolina
When: April 4-6
What’s it on: Fri & Sat: ACCNX, Sun: ESPN2

What do we want to see: The Carolina-Duke rivalry takes center stage on the diamond with stakes higher than they’ve been in years. Duke head coach Marissa Young, a former assistant at North Carolina, now leads a Blue Devils team that enters as the clear favorite. However, North Carolina has been one of the ACC’s biggest surprises, boasting one of the conference’s top offenses. While the rivalry itself makes this matchup compelling, the series also carries major NCAA Tournament implications.

10. South Florida @ No. 25 Florida Atlantic

Where: Boca Raton, Florida
When: April 4-6
What’s it on: ESPN+

What do we want to see: The top two teams in the American Athletic Conference square off in the league’s biggest matchup of the season. FAU has just one conference loss, while USF has yet to drop a series. Two of the conference’s best pitchers, FAU’s Autumn Courtney and USF’s Payton Dixon, are set to face off in what promises to be an exciting series. Moreover, this series is crucial for the American’s pursuit of becoming a multi-bid league in May.

More from Softball America:

Meylan, Brown star in Oklahoma State, Arizona State pitchers duel
From Geaux Teal to Game Day: Reflections on LSU-South Carolina Series
Bracketology: April 2nd