The Lineup: Top-10 midweek matchup, SEC & Pac-12 showdowns, OU opens Love’s

A quick look at this week’s slate makes you feel a bit more calm compared to the first three weeks. But it’s always calm before the storm. We are gifted with a Top-10 midweek, while Arizona and Georgia flip coasts for ranked Pac-12-SEC matchups. Oh and have you heard anything about a stadium opening up?

1. No. 9 Clemson @ No. 3 Georgia

Where: Athens, Ga.
When: Wed., Feb. 28, 5 p.m. ET
What’s it on: SEC Network+ ($)

What do we want to see: Clemson still hasn’t had that marque, resume-building win. Do the Tigers want one of those Top 8 seeds? The easiest route to Oklahoma City? It’s there for them to go after. Let’s see Clemson come out of the gate swinging and get that win that we look back on in May because Georgia already has a few to help its case.

2. No. 15 Arizona @ No. 10 Alabama

Where: Tuscaloosa, Ala. 
When: Fri., March 1, 7:30 p.m. & Sat., March 2, 4:30 p.m. ET
What’s it on: SEC Network+ ($)

What do we want to see: This is the biggest test for the Tide before SEC play begins. How will Alabama fare? It’s a big question because this weekend is the start of a stretch that includes the Wildcats, South Alabama, Florida, Florida State and Georgia. Let’s also see how these Wildcat arms do in hostile territory.

3. Miami @ No. 1 Oklahoma

Where: Norman, Okla.
When: Fri, March 1, 3 p.m. ET
What’s it on: ESPN+ ($)

What do we want to see: This is more about the event than the game, and don’t get us wrong, seeing Karli Spaid is always a good time. Oklahoma opens Love’s Field on Friday and we want to see what the Boomer Sooner faithful does to fill the seats.

4. No. 3 Georgia @ No. 7 Stanford

Where: Palo Alto, Calif.
When: Sat., March 2, 7 p.m. & Sun., March 3, 3 p.m. ET
What’s it on: Stanford Live Stream via Pac-12.com

What do we want to see: The Bulldogs are back again. Georgia has used the long ball to get back in games, especially the second or third time through the order. Palo Alto isn’t the best spot to pride yourself on home runs. Can Georgia manufacture runs against NiJaree Canady and the other Stanford arms they’ll likely face in this two-game set? That’s our question.

5. San Diego State @ No. 5 LSU

Where: Baton Rouge, La. 
When: Fri., March 1, 7:30 p.m. & Sat., March 2, 6 p.m. ET
What’s it on: SEC Network+ ($)

What do we want to see: Hopefully we see Mac Barbara in this one after she left the Mary Nutter with an injury. LSU hasn’t lost yet this season but have had trouble putting teams away or needing a comeback to prevail. Facing off against a solid SDSU pitching staff, the Tigers can try to flex their messages to help build their own hosting resume.

6. Boise State @ No. 22 Cal

Where: Berkeley, Calif. 
When: Sat., March 2, 2 p.m. & Sun., March 3, 4 p.m. ET
What’s it on: Sunday’s Game Only – Cal Live Stream via Pac-12.com

What do we want to see: Boise State has continued challenging itself this season. The Broncos nearly beat LSU this past weekend and have a chance to earn another ranked victory in California. We’d like to see Boise State be competitive against a Cal team that had to pull out a few wins at the Mary Nutter.

7. No. 20 Kentucky @ Charlotte

Where: Charlotte, N.C.
When: Fri., March 1, 6 p.m. & Sat., March 2, 3 p.m. ET
What’s it on: ESPN+ ($)

What do we want to see: For the Wildcats, we’d like to see more consistency from freshman Sydney Langdon and Alexia Lacatena. Jaden Vickers has emerged as the compliment to Stephanie Schoonover, but Langdon is still finding her way and Lacatena currently has a 9.33 ERA. A team having a reliable third option makes a big difference in the postseason, can Kentucky find that?

8. No. 19 Texas A&M @ Cal State Fullerton

Where: Fullerton, Calif.
When: Fri., March 1, 10:30 p.m. ET
What’s it on: ESPN+ ($)

What do we want to see: The Aggies’ offense disappeared for a stretch last weekend, resulting in their first loss of the season in a shutout versus Kansas. Can they reignite? If they can’t, Fullerton proved at the Mary Nutter that they are capable of knocking off a ranked SEC foe.

9. South Dakota State @ No. 18 Arkansas

Where: Fayetteville, Ark. 
When: Thur., Feb. 29, 5:00 p.m. & Sat., March 2, 4:00 p.m. ET
What’s it on: SEC Network+ ($)

What do we want to see: The Razorbacks are coming off a weekend in which they struck out 15 times against Wichita State’s Chloe Barber. Now they have a likely date against Tori Kniesche. We are still waiting for this group to look consistent at the plate, which might take time in the transition with DJ Gasso. This is a chance against a quality arm. 

10. No. 24 South Carolina @ UCF

Where: Orlando, Fla.
When: Fri., March 1, 6:00 p.m. ET
What’s it on: ESPN+

What do we want to see: UCF is coming off a rough four-loss weekend at the Mary Nutter. The Knights return home to host the Knights Classic which includes South Carolina. The Gamecocks pitching against UCF’s lineup is what we want to see. Alana Vawter and Sage Mardjetko carry most of the innings, looking to bounce back from the South Alabama loss. Meanwhile, outside of its historic night against Wisconsin, UCF has averaged a little over two runs against Power Five opponents.

Bench Spot: No. 23 UCLA vs. No. 16 Florida

Where: Fullerton, Calif.
When: Fri., March 1, 5:30 p.m. ET

Another big-time matchup that can only be seen in person. No worries, our Tara Henry will be there.