SIOC's look at the nation's top 16 teams

Can staff aces Lance Lynn (above) and Cody Satterwhite lead Ole Miss to Omaha. AP

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By Bryan Smith

The 2007 college baseball season had one of the most memorable postseasons in history. Louisville and Mississippi State -- both underdogs in the regional round -- registered upset after upset in an unpredictable run to the College World Series. UC-Irvine made its first trip to Rosenblatt Stadium, but the finale seemed like deja vu all over again as Oregon State beating North Carolina to claim the national championship. After Major League Baseball televised its draft for the first time last spring -- and with the launch of conference-only channels such as the Big Ten Network -- college baseball will set records in visibility this spring. Here's who you will be watching on ESPN in June:

EIGHT IN OMAHA

1. Mississippi Rebels

Of the eight teams that made it to Omaha last year, six considered pitching as one of their most significant strengths. If the Rebels make a run through the NCAA tournament, it will be on the back of a pitching staff that is both deep and top-heavy. Anchoring the rotation are Lance Lynn and Cody Satterwhite -- two of SIOC's top 20 prospects -- and Scott Bittle is a dangerous bullpen arm. In the first weekend of the season, the lineup showed its meddle, averaging 15 runs a game against a solid Minnesota ballclub.

2. Arizona Wildcats

The Wildcats combine a deep pitching staff with good defense and enough power to hit with any team. The rotation features Preston Guilmet -- who is returning after a 12-2, 1.87 ERA sophomore season -- on Friday nights. Closer Jason Stoffel is among the best in the nation, and the team has great bats, including juniors T.J. Steele, Brad Glenn and senior C.J. Ziegler; all are generating interest from MLB clubs.

3. North Carolina Tar Heels

After two-consecutive trips to the College World Series, North Carolina faces the challenge of making a third straight trip. The Heels have a deep lineup and talented pitching staff. Dustin Ackley won opening weekend ACC Player of the Week honors, and the sophomore first baseman faces the impossibility of improving upon his .402/.448/.591 freshman season. The pitching staff has a few arms destined for the first round in ace sophomore Alex White and freshman Matt Harvey and Nate Striz.

4. Arizona State Sun Devils

On Friday, Arizona State was just outside my top eight because I wasn't sure they would have enough pitching. After all, the team just lost two members of their bullpen -- Jason Jarvis and Devin Fuller -- to academic ineligibility. But after ASU beat top 10 teams Vanderbilt and Oregon State handily, it appears they might not have to pitch. The nation's best offense very well could bash their way back to Omaha, and if everyone can stay eligible, their staff is better than a year ago.

5. UCLA Bruins

Coach John Savage faces a difficult challenge this spring as his team has the talent to compete, but many of his players have yet to put it together. Shortstop Brandon Crawford is one of the nation's best players, but his last two seasons haven't accurately reflected his ability. The same could be said about starter Tim Murphy, a southpaw with dangerous stuff and a career of high ERAs. Before arriving at UCLA four seasons ago, Savage built the UC-Irvine program into one of the nation's elite, so you can bet a trip to Rosenblatt is on his wish list.

6. Vanderbilt Commodores

You could argue last year's Vanderbilt team -- which featured two top 10 draft picks in David Price and Casey Weathers -- had a better chance of getting to Omaha than this year's squad. The Commodores certainly don't have the pitching depth of last year's club. This season, however, the team has the nation's top player, Pedro Alvarez, and an enviable lineup and an ace in sophomore Mike Minor who promises to continue Price's tradition of Friday night victories.

7. Miami Hurricanes

The Hurricanes let me down a year ago when I predicted a run to Omaha before the team faded due to injuries and an ineffective pitching staff. With the team healthier and one year older, the 2008 'Canes look more poised than ever for big things. The lineup contains three of SIOC's top 25 prospects (Yonder Alonso, Dennis Raben, Jemile Weeks) and solid bats throughout. The pitching staff looks better than ever, especially with freshman Chris Hernandez, who threw six scoreless innings in his college debut.

8. Baylor Bears

The Bears are the biggest sleeper pick on this list, but the talent is undeniable. Sophomore ace Kendal Volz and two-way star Aaron Miller lead the charge while junior Beamer Weems and senior Nick Cassavechia provide veteran leadership. The key for coach Steve Smith will be making sure the team's young players stay consistent and avoid a late-season collapse, especially the offense.