The Hurricanes are trying to become the first number one seed to win the College World Series since 1999. This is as talented a team there is in the country, with school record three players recently chosen in the first round of the amateur draft. Miami heads to Omaha with a .322 team batting average a 3.93 team ERA. The Hurricanes are led at the plate by junior first baseman Yonder Alonso, who's hitting .367 with 23 homers and 71 RBIs. Freshman left-hander Chris Hernandez (11-0, 2.62) leads a deep and talented pitching staff for Miami.  The ‘Canes are 3-3 against other teams in CWS. This squad possesses great balance and is a deserving favorite to be national champions.

All-time record in CWS 46-36 (22 trips, 4 titles)

This is North Carolina’s third straight appearance in Omaha. The number two Tar Heels will be looking to close the deal, having lost to Oregon State in the championship series the last two years. North Carolina has a .324 team batting average and a superb 2.83 team ERA. The Heels are led by first baseman Dustin Ackley, who enters the CWS hitting .408 with seven homers and 50 RBIs. At the top of the rotation are Alex White (10-3, 2.75) and Adam Warren (9-1, 4.07) with plenty of support behind them. UNC is the only team in the country to take a series from Miami and they are 4-3 against fellow participants.

All-time record in CWS 15-14 (six trips)

Check out these numbers by Florida State catcher Buster Posey, he’s hitting .460 with 26 homers and 92 RBIs, with a sick slugging percentage of .886 and is seemingly always on base with .564 on-base percentage, making his the best offense player in college baseball. The fourth-ranked Seminoles are a mentally tough bunch, losing opening games in both Regional and Super Regional rounds, before coming back to earn this trip. Hard to believe this is Florida State’s first trip to Omaha in eight years and surprisingly, have never a title despite 18 previous appearances. They finished with 4-5 record facing others clubs in the tournament. Bullpen will probably determine how far the Noles go.

All-time record in CWS 25-36 (18 trips)

LSU was picked to finish fifth in the competitive SEC conference, which doesn’t sit well for a school that won five national titles in one decade (1991-2000). The Tigers are batting .309 as a team and a 4.02 ERA. This doesn’t tell the story of club that has won 25 of last 26 contests and is on major roll as the seventh seed. Designated hitter Blake Dean (.359 BA, 20 homers, 70 RBIs) and 1B Matt Clark (.347 BA, 26 homers, 61 RBIs) are the thumpers in the batting order that make LSU go. On the hill, Ryan Verdugo (9-3, 3.90) and Jared Bradford (10-4, 4.50) lead the Tigers staff. Their pitching has not been exceptional in tourney action; however that has not been an issue, for a team scoring 11.8 runs an outing.  If the bats stay hot, anything is possible for LSU.

All-time record in CWS 29-17 (13 trips, 5 titles)

Like North Carolina, this is Rice’s third consecutive trip to Nebraska and fifth in last seven years. Ryan Berry is one of the best starters in all of college baseball and was on Team USA last summer at the Pan Am Games. He along with Chris Kelley and Mike Ojala are backed up by a four-headed monster bullpen, with the names Cole St. Clair (2.62), Bryan Price (3.63), Bobby Bell (0.92) and Matt Evers (2.57). The Owls bat .307 as a team with veteran first baseman J.P. Padron hitting .362 and 3B Diego Seastrunk at .353. Rice always has great pitching, thus how they hit and field will determine fate. Interesting dark-horse wager.

All-time record in CWS 10-11 (six trips, 1 title)

It only seems like manager Mark Marquess has been at Stanford forever, now in his 30th season. The Cardinal won’t overwhelm you with numbers, batting below .300 as a team (.299). Catcher Jason Castro (.379 BA, 13 homers, 69 RBIs) is their most talented offensive player and Cord Phelps (.349 BA, 13 homers, 53 RBIs) has made contributions all season long. Erik Davis and Jeremy Bleich are team’s best starters and are supported by a talented bullpen with the likes of Austin Yount and Drew Storen. Stanford struggled with consistency all year before getting hot late and is set up very similar to Rice.

All-time record in CWS 38-27 (15 trips, 2 titles)

Georgia actually won the SEC regular season crown and has fought through adversity to have ticket punched for Omaha. The Bulldogs lost first regional game and came back to win and went toe-to-toe with N.C. State to secure spot. Shortstop Gordon Beckham (.401 BA, 26 homers, 72 RBIs) leads a dogged Bulldog attack, that must score runs to overcome spotty pitching. Trevor Holder is best starting pitcher and Josh Fields is a top notch closer. Georgia has shown all season, they’ll never give, yet one has to wonder if they will receive enough pitching not to be dismissed early.

All-time record in CWS 6-9 (five trips, 1 title)

Fresno State is the biggest party crasher to reach Omaha and is the first fourth seed to reach the CWS. The Bulldogs took two of three from Arizona State, despite losing the opening game at ASU’s home park. To beat the Sun Devils you have to mash with them and Fresno State’s first baseman Alan Ahmady (.376 BA, 12 homers, 83 RBIs) and Steve Susdorf (.342 BA, 10 homers, 78 RBIs) did just that and will need to stay hot. The pitching staff does enough to get by and Fresno State is 34-17, after starting a dismal 8-12. Losing ace and WAC pitcher of the year Tanner Scheppers (8-2, 2.93) to stress fracture does not make the task any easier for the Bulldogs. State of mind will be key to see if FSU is merely happy to be playing at Rosenblatt Stadium after defeating Sun Devils or determined to make a statement. The last time the Bulldogs were in CWS was 1991.

All-time record in CWS 4-6 (three trips)

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