The Lineup: Gators-Longhorns, Gasso Family Reunion and more

In this week’s college softball preview, a top-tier tilt in Florida sees the No. 3 Gators host No. 1 Texas, while a Gasso family reunion takes place in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Meanwhile, upset-minded teams are looking to make a statement early in conference play during Week 6. It’s a slate you won’t want to miss.

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1. No. 1 Texas @ No. 3 Florida

Where: Gainesville, Florida
When: March 15-17
What’s it on: Sat & Mon: SECN, Sun: SECN+

What do we want to see: Two of the nation’s top teams square off in what promises to be a thrilling matchup. The biggest storyline for Florida will be the status of its ace, Keagan Rothrock, who has not pitched in three weeks. While Rothrock’s absence has been a challenge, the Gators’ lineup remains one of the most dominant forces in softball. Additionally, Florida’s pitching staff has stepped up in a big way during Rothrock’s absence.

Can Texas’ deep pitching staff shut down this ferocious Florida offense? Both teams are among the best in the nation, but only one will have the head-to-head to prove they belong at the top.

2. No. 2 Oklahoma @ No. 18 Arkansas

Where: Fayetteville, Arkansas
When: March 14-16
What’s it on: Fri & Sat: SECN+, Sun: SECN

What do we want to see: Arkansas hit a roadblock last week at Ole Miss but bounced back on Sunday with a dominant 17-run victory over the Rebels to salvage the series. Meanwhile, Oklahoma won three one-run games against a top-ten South Carolina team. However, the storyline here is the reunion of Oklahoma head coach Patty and assistant J.T. Gasso facing JT’s little brother, DJ Gasso, an assistant coach for the Razorbacks. Have the Hogs turned a corner after a humbling weekend in Oxford? Can Oklahoma remain unbeaten and solidify its case as the nation’s top team?

3. No. 17 Georgia @ No. 10 South Carolina

Where: Columbia, South Carolina
When: March 14-16
What’s it on: SECN+

What do we want to see: Georgia looked solid against Tennessee over the weekend but fell short of securing the series win. Meanwhile, South Carolina’s best start in program history has been marred by a four-game losing streak. The Bulldogs are hoping to salvage their momentum and prove they belong in the hosting conversation. On the other hand, the Gamecocks aim to rekindle some of the magic from non-conference play and get back to their winning ways.

Read more: SEC Power Rankings

4. No. 15 Mississippi State @ No. 22 Alabama

Where: Tuscaloosa, Alabama
When: March 14-16
What’s it on: SECN+

What do we want to see: Mississippi State was riding high after sweeping Auburn this past weekend, but a midweek stumble against Middle Tennessee has brought the Bulldogs back down to earth. Alabama has been inconsistent in non-conference play and needs to capitalize on this opportunity. Both teams have shown flashes of strong pitching and explosive offenses, but neither has been consistently reliable in either area. This matchup could come down to which team wants it more, who delivers the timely hits, and who comes up with the big pitches.

5. No. 20 Nebraska @ Ohio State

Where: Columbus, Ohio
When: March 14-16
What’s it on: BIG+

What do we want to see: It cannot be overstated the job Kirin Kumar has done in her first year with Ohio State. The Buckeyes appear poised to compete with the best of them. There’s a big opportunity for Ohio State to shake the Big Ten up when they host Jordy Bahl and Nebraska. With Nebraska opening its first series, can the Cornhuskers find a way to win games without Bahl? How will they most effectively use her in each game?

Read more: Big Ten Power Rankings

6. No. 6 Texas A&M @ No. 23 Auburn

Where: Auburn, Alabama
When: March 14-16
What’s it on: Fri & Sun: SECN+, Sat: SECN

What do we want to see: The Tigers have struggled recently, losing four consecutive games. After starting 20-1, the momentum for the Malveaux’s and Auburn has fizzled. The Aggies dropped a heartbreaker to Florida on Sunday and hope to avenge their series loss from last weekend by taking advantage of Auburn’s struggling pitching staff. Can Texas A&M ignite its offense and regain some of its lost momentum, or will Auburn find a way to return to its gritty style of winning games?

7. Arizona State @ No. 25 UCF

Where: Orlando, Florida
When: March 14-16
What’s it on: ESPN+

What do we want to see: The Knights knocked off a top-ten Arizona team twice, showcasing a balanced mix of success at the plate and in the circle. Similarly, the Sun Devils had a solid weekend, winning their series over BYU. Arizona State is hoping for more consistency in conference play, and a series win over UCF would help establish the Sun Devils as contenders in the Big 12 race this season. While it’s still early, how pivotal will this matchup be for both teams in the Big 12 standings?

Read more: Big 12 Power Rankings

8. Kentucky @ No. 4 LSU

Where: Baton Rouge, Louisiana
When: March 14-16
What’s it on: SECN+

What do we want to see: Kentucky swept Missouri last weekend to open conference play and hopes to continue its strong start against LSU. However, it will be a tall task. LSU’s opening weekend in conference play will reveal how Beth Torina plans to manage a Tiger pitching staff filled with talent, but ultimately centered around Sydney Berzon. The last two years, the Tigers had strong non-conference starts but struggled when it came to SEC play. Can this top-five LSU team break the trend and continue to succeed in the SEC? Can the Wildcats play the role of spoiler once again?

9. No. 8 Oregon @ Washington

Where: Seattle, Washington
When: March 14-16
What’s it on: Fri & Sun: BIG+, Sat: BIG Network

What do we want to see: A familiar matchup, but on a different stage. The first Big Ten contest between Washington and Oregon, a pair of former Pac-12 rivals, will be one to watch. Oregon boasts some of the strongest wins in the country but has faltered in a few of its lower-ranked games. Meanwhile, Washington enters the game on a 14-game winning streak. This Big Ten battle will put the Huskies to the test and give Oregon another chance to cement itself as one of the nation’s best.

10. Georgia Tech @ California

Where: Berkeley, California
When: March 14-16
What’s it on: ACCNX/ESPN+

What do we want to see: The Yellow Jackets are playing their best softball right now, highlighted by a top-25 win over Auburn on Wednesday. The same can be said for California. The Golden Bears are on a 13-game win streak, including a sweep of Boston College in its first-ever ACC series. Both teams have shown flashes of greatness in the circle and at the plate, but are looking to separate themselves from the middle of the ACC pack.

Read more: ACC Power Rankings