The Lineup: Road Tests for Top-25 Teams and Key Mid-Major Battles

Some of the nation’s top teams in college softball will have their work cut out for them when they face hostile crowds on the road. This weekend gives several teams the opportunity to put their name on the map. From Durham to Tempe, can the underdogs pull off the unexpected? In other news, the Mountain West and Sun Belt crowns are wide open, and we highlight a pair of games to watch for this weekend.

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1. No. 10 Florida State @ No. 17 Duke

Where: Durham, North Carolina
When: March 21-23
What’s it on: Fri: ACCN Sat & Sun: ACCNX

What do we want to see: A series that could determine the champion of the ACC. These have been two of the best teams in the conference in recent years, and this season is no different. How reliable can Cassidy Curd be against a formidable Florida State lineup? Duke is the only team in the last decade to steal a conference title from the Seminoles. This series could shape the top half of the ACC standings come May.

2. No. 12 Texas Tech @ No. 11 South Carolina

Where: Columbia, South Carolina
When: March 21-23
What’s it on: SECN+

What do we want to see: Both teams entered this season with a lot of unfamiliarity. From new coaches to practically different rosters, both now find their programs in the top 15, contending for a hosting bid midway through the season. Can NiJaree Canady shut down a gritty Gamecock offense? Can South Carolina continue to build on its momentum after a series win over Georgia? Or will the concerns that surfaced during the Gamecocks’ five-game losing streak come to fruition?

3. No. 20 Arkansas @ No. 9 Tennessee

Where: Knoxville, Tennessee
When: March 22-24
What’s it on: SECN

What do we want to see: A Bri Ellis vs. Karlyn Pickens matchup would be one of the better battles you’ll see in college softball this season. Arkansas is hoping to find its footing this weekend and settle on an answer in the circle. Tennessee has struggled with consistency on offense but has taken care of business, riding a six-game win streak. Can Arkansas grit out its first series win of the season? Or will the Lady Vols continue to roll?

4. No. 3 LSU @ No. 19 Georgia

Where: Athens, Georgia
When: March 21-23
What’s it on: SECN+

What do we want to see: Georgia has an opportunity to not only win its first conference series of the season but also make an emphatic statement. LSU has cemented itself as one of the best teams in the country but faces arguably its toughest test yet: a three-game series against a Tony Baldwin offense. This means multiple looks at both Sydney Berzon and Jayden Heavener. The Bulldogs have claimed a win each of their first two SEC series, but can they stun a top-five Tiger team? For LSU, it’s a familiar story. Last season, LSU was ranked first in the country after non-conference play but fell below .500 in SEC play. Can Georgia turn a corner, or will LSU show everyone why this season is different?

5. No. 7 Arizona @ Arizona State

Where: Tempe, Arizona
When: March 21-23
What’s it on: ESPN+

What do we want to see: The Sun Devils are feeling good after their series win over UCF last week. Meanwhile, Arizona has won five straight after a series loss to that same UCF team. This matchup will center on Arizona State’s Kenzie Brown duel with a powerful Arizona offense. Can Brown find a way to win a pair of games against the Wildcats? If she cannot, who will the Sun Devils turn to for support in the circle? In this Pac-12 turned Big 12 rivalry, only one team can walk away with bragging rights—who will it be?

Read more: Arizona’s Devyn Netz is Back and Better than Ever

6. No. 24 Alabama @ No. 6 Texas A&M

Where: College Station, Texas
When: March 21-23
What’s it on: SECN+

What do we want to see: These are two teams heading in opposite directions. The Aggies swept Auburn last week and are looking to contend for an SEC title this season. Alabama, on the other hand, has lost three of its last four games. Can Texas A&M stay hot and continue to roll? Or can Alabama clean up its defense and find a way to put its name back in the hat for a regional host? It’s still early in conference play, and the Tide have a huge opportunity this weekend.

7. No. 25 California @ Virginia

Where: Charlottesville, Virginia
When: March 21-23
What’s it on: Fri & Sat: ACCNX, Sun: ACCN

What do we want to see: California has really hit its stride after a rough start to the season, winning 16 of its last 17 games. Virginia, similarly, is on a six-game win streak. Both teams are looking to continue their momentum in ACC play. These are two tournament teams, but as the race for an ACC title heats up, both California and Virginia want to prove they belong in that conversation. For this weekend, how will Eden Bingham and the Cavalier pitching staff manage their arms against a powerful Cal offense?

8. No. 16 Mississippi State @ Northwestern

Where: Evanston, Illinois
When: March 21-23
What’s it on: Fri: BIG Network, Sun: BIG+

What do we want to see: Mississippi State has lost to a pair of mid-major squads and won five SEC games in the span of two weeks. The Bulldogs seem to thrive in an underdog role, but with unranked Northwestern hosting this weekend, how will things shake up in Evanston? The Wildcats have won seven straight and are looking to solidify a quality win on their resume. This weekend presents a prime opportunity to do so.

9. Texas State @ Coastal Carolina

Where: Conway, South Carolina
When: March 21-23
What’s it on: ESPN+

What do we want to see: This season, the Sun Belt race is wide open. After Louisiana lost its first Sun Belt series in 89 tries, Coastal Carolina was likely viewed as the conference’s favorite. Coming off a monster upset over then-No. 10 South Carolina, the Chanticleers hit a speed bump last weekend, dropping the series at Troy. Now, with Texas State riding a seven-game win streak, this weekend could be a pivotal series for the Sun Belt crown.

10. Nevada @ Boise State

Where: Boise, Idaho
When: March 21-23
What’s it on: Mountain West Network

What do we want to see: Another crucial series is on the line for a mid-major conference, this time in the Mountain West. Both Nevada and Boise State have jumped out to impressive starts this season. The Broncos, however, were shockingly swept at Fresno State last weekend. Meanwhile, the Wolfpack lost a pair of close games to Stanford over the weekend and are hoping to turn their focus to the opening weekend of conference play. This is a big series for both of these Mountain West contenders. Can Boise State rebound with a big series win at home, or will first-year Nevada head coach Victoria Heyward continue to turn heads?