Auburn baseball gains respect in this week’s national polls
It has taken three weeks, but Auburn baseball is starting to catch the eye of the national media.
A College World Series participant a season ago, Auburn has struggled to find a place in the national polls despite winning nine of their first 11 games. Among those wins are four wins over Indiana and USC, who compete in power five conferences.
As the season rolls on, Auburn continues to prove that they are worthy of a top 25 ranking, and most polls are beginning to agree. Here’s a look at where Auburn ranks this week among the six major polls: USA TODAY, D1Baseball, Baseball America, Collegiate Baseball Newspaper, NCBWA, and Perfect Game.
USA TODAY Coaches Poll
Taylor Jones/ Auburn Wire
This week: No. 25
Last week: Unranked
Auburn makes its debut this week in the latest USA TODAY Coaches Poll, moving out of the “receiving votes” category. Last season, the Tigers finished No. 7 overall.
Baseball America
Taylor Jones/ Auburn Wire
This week: No. 20
Last week: No. 23
Auburn has been a mainstay in the Baseball America poll all season long. After starting off ranked No. 22 in the preseason poll, the Tigers rise up to No. 20 after spending the last two weeks as the nation’s No. 23 team.
D1Baseball
Photo credit: Zach Bland / Auburn Athletics
This week: Unranked
Last week: Unranked
The D1Baseball poll is one of two national polls that have yet to feature Auburn this season. But, the good news for Auburn, is that they could see their name in this poll if they continue to play well. This week’s D1Baseball poll features three teams that were not ranked last week in Campbell, Iowa, and Oregon State.
NCBWA
Taylor Jones/ Auburn Wire
This week: No. 26
Last week: No. 27
The National College Baseball Writers Association poll, like Collegiate Baseball Newspaper, features a top 30 rather than a top 25. However, if this poll were like all of the others, Auburn would be on the doorstep. The Tigers move up one spot to No. 26 after going 4-0 last week over Florida A&M and Lipscomb.
Collegiate Baseball Newspaper
Jamie Holt/Auburn Athletics
This week: No. 20
Last week: No. 26
Auburn made the most movement in the Collegiate Baseball Newspaper poll this week, advancing six spots. Not only does this week’s poll have Auburn in the top 25, but the writers at CBN have Auburn two places ahead of Alabama.
Perfect Game
Jamie Holt/Auburn Athletics
This week: No. 11
Last week: No. 13
The poll that has given Auburn the most respect this season has been the Perfect Game poll. The Tigers began the season as the No. 17 team in the country, and has climbed six spots over the last three weeks. The Perfect Game poll has high regard for the SEC, as six teams from the conference are ranked in the top 10, and a total of eight teams make up the field.
