The Lineup: Red River Rivalry Highlights Crucial Weekend for SEC and Mid-Major Hopefuls

The Red River Rivalry, featuring the nation’s top two teams in college softball from last season, takes center stage this weekend. Every game of the highly anticipated series will air on national television. Elsewhere in the SEC, surging squads Arkansas and Texas A&M are set to clash. Florida-LSU and Tennessee-Ole Miss highlight the other ranked conference matchups. Out west, Stanford hosts Virginia and Nebraska travels to Washington — both series with major hosting implications. Down South, key mid-majors continue to battle for postseason positioning.

1. No. 3 Texas @ No. 5 Oklahoma

Where: Norman, Oklahoma
When: April 25-27
What’s it on: Fri: ESPNU, Sat & Sun: ESPN2

What do we want to see: The Red River Rivalry takes the diamond in a rematch of last year’s national championship series. Both programs are new to the conference but carry a long-standing disdain for each other. The Sooners, fresh off a sweep of Mississippi State, look to ride their offensive momentum. Texas, meanwhile, used a dramatic walk-off to clinch its series against LSU and boasts one of the deepest pitching staffs in the country. With the series set in Norman, Oklahoma’s home-field advantage could prove crucial in this pivotal clash.

2. No. 6 Arkansas @ No. 2 Texas A&M

Where: College Station, Texas
When: April 25-27
What’s it on: Fri & Sat: SECN+, Sun: SECN

What do we want to see: Arkansas and Texas A&M enter this weekend on a roll. The Razorbacks have won their last four conference series and the Aggies have won five consecutive series. Both teams are riding momentum, but only one can keep its streak going. Each team leans on its dominant left-hander — Robyn Herron for Arkansas and Emiley Kennedy for Texas A&M — with both expected to handle a potent offense. With postseason implications looming, the series could have major impacts on regional hosting, SEC seeding and the pursuit of a conference title.

3. No. 8 Florida @ No. 12 LSU

Where: Baton Rouge, Louisiana
When: April 26-28
What’s it on: Sat: ESPN2, Sun & Mon: SECN

What do we want to see: Florida walked off Alabama twice last weekend and Keagan Rothrock tossed her longest outing in SEC play. The Gators boast an explosive offense and a pitching staff that has seemingly nursed its wounds. LSU, after starting off red hot has cooled down, losing five of its last seven games. Head coach Beth Torina and LSU have built a reliable reputation for its bullpen, but have faltered recently. With the Tigers set to face yet another powerful offense, how will they respond? Both teams are trying to lock up a national seed and the winner of the series will have an upper hand when the selection committee sits down in May.

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4. No. 23 Virginia @ No. 16 Stanford

Where: Stanford, California
When: April 25-27
What’s it on: ACCNX

What do we want to see: Stanford’s series win over California last weekend was a major boost, but another top-25 opportunity awaits this weekend. Stanford enters the series with the nation’s second-best team batting average, fueled by Taryn Kern’s power and Emily Jones’s versatility. Virginia, a steady and disciplined squad, will look cause some chaos in the ACC. The spotlight will be on Eden Bingham and the Cavaliers’ pitching staff as they try to contain Stanford’s potent lineup and disrupt the Cardinal’s push for a top-16 seed in college softball.

5. No. 22 Nebraska @ Washington

Where: Seattle, Washington
When: April 25-27
What’s it on: Fri: FS1, Sat: BIG Network, Sun: BIG+

What do we want to see: Nebraska faces an uphill climb to host a regional, but a series win over Washington could keep that hope alive. Both teams enter the weekend looking to improve their standing in the Big Ten and build momentum for the postseason. Washington aims to solidify a tournament bid, while the Cornhuskers look to stay in the hunt for a chance to play at home in May. With postseason implications looming, the series carries added weight for two teams still aspiring for more.

6. No. 1 Tennessee @ No. 19 Ole Miss

Where: Oxford, Mississippi
When: April 25-27
What’s it on: SECN+

What do we want to see: Tennessee suffered a midweek loss to Clemson and will now face an Ole Miss team that finds different ways to win. The Rebels have three different arms they can rely on in the circle. For the Lady Vols, it’s Karlyn Pickens who has shown the versatility of starting and closing games. The Rebels have a quality offense, batting .303 as a team in SEC play. Can Ole Miss figure out Pickens or will it be just another day at the ballpark for Karlyn?

7. Arizona State @ No. 11 Texas Tech

Where: Lubbock, Texas
When: April 25-27
What’s it on: ESPN+

What do we want to see: NiJaree Canady and Texas Tech’s resurgent offense have propelled the Red Raiders to the top of the Big 12 standings. Arizona State, meanwhile, counters with ace Kenzie Brown, who has been dominant in the circle. The two pitchers lead the conference in both strikeouts and ERA — Brown tops the league with 246 strikeouts, while Canady boasts a nation-best 0.83 ERA. With a statement series on the line, the Sun Devils can solidify their tournament status and Texas Tech can maintain its grip on the conference crown.

8. No. 7 Oregon @ Indiana

Where: Bloomington, Indiana
When: April 25-27
What’s it on: BIG+

What do we want to see: Oregon enters the weekend in control of the Big Ten race after a landmark series win over UCLA. The Ducks have been fueled by standout freshman bats and a dominant pitching. Lyndsey Grein owns the nation’s fifth-best college softball ERA. Indiana leans on senior Taylor Minnick, who has rewritten the program’s record book. With their tournament hopes hanging in the balance, the Hoosiers will need the best of its powerful offense to upset the Ducks.

9. Liberty @ Louisiana Tech

Where: Ruston, Louisiana
When: April 25-27
What’s it on: ESPN+

What do we want to see: Conference USA has seen its share of upsets this season, but now two of the league’s top teams — Liberty and Louisiana Tech — are set to square off in a crucial series. Liberty is in strong position for a tournament bid regardless of the outcome, but Louisiana Tech likely needs a conference title to punch its ticket. A series win could be crucial for the Lady Techsters’ postseason hopes. Liberty, meanwhile, looks to defend its C-USA crown and maintain its momentum heading into May.

10. South Florida @ North Texas

Where: Denton, Texas
When: April 25-27
What’s it on: ESPN+

What do we want to see: Both teams are hanging their hopes on making the college softball NCAA tournament this season. With each still in contention for an at-large bid, this series carries even more weight. The winner will claim sole possession of second place in the American standings — a notable achievement in a league aiming to have at least two teams selected in May.

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