LSU Now No. 1: Updated College Baseball Coaches Poll for Feb. 23, 2026
- The LSU Tigers have surged to the top of the college baseball world, claiming the No.
- LSU’s ascent to the top spot comes after a dominant showing, continuing a strong start to the season under head coach Jay Johnson.
- The Tigers recently secured the title at the Live Like Lou Jax College Classic in Jacksonville, Florida, with victories over Indiana, Notre Dame, and UCF.
The LSU Tigers have surged to the top of the college baseball world, claiming the No. 1 ranking in the latest USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll, released on . The Tigers (8-0) leapfrogged previously ranked UCLA, despite the Bruins’ impressive weekend series sweep over TCU.
LSU’s ascent to the top spot comes after a dominant showing, continuing a strong start to the season under head coach Jay Johnson. This marks the best eight-game start to a season during Johnson’s five-year tenure at LSU, and the program’s best since 2019.
The Tigers recently secured the title at the Live Like Lou Jax College Classic in Jacksonville, Florida, with victories over Indiana, Notre Dame, and UCF. During the tournament, LSU showcased a potent offense, batting .388 as a team with seven doubles and three home runs, while outscoring opponents 34-11.
Pitching also proved crucial to LSU’s success in Jacksonville, posting a 2.88 ERA across 25 innings, with 31 strikeouts. Opponents managed just a .211 batting average against the Tigers’ arms.
Right fielder Jake Brown was a standout performer for LSU last week, batting .440 (11-for-25) with two home runs, eight RBI, seven runs scored, and two stolen bases. His performance was instrumental in securing both the tournament title and the team’s undefeated record.
While LSU takes the top spot, UCLA (15 first-place votes) remains a formidable contender, having demonstrated their strength with a series win against then-No. 7 TCU. The Bruins received more first-place votes than LSU, indicating a close competition at the top of the rankings.
Elsewhere in the Top 10, Auburn climbed two spots to No. 7, while fellow Southeastern Conference (SEC) teams Georgia and Florida both broke into the top 10, highlighting the conference’s early-season strength. The SEC continues to establish itself as a dominant force in college baseball.
Oklahoma experienced the most significant jump in the poll, soaring from No. 30 in the preseason rankings to No. 14. The Sooners’ impressive 7-0 start, including Power 4 wins over Texas Tech, TCU, and Oklahoma State at the Shriner’s Children’s College Showdown, propelled them up the rankings.
The updated USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll Top 25 is as follows:
- LSU (14)
- UCLA (15)
- Texas
- Georgia Tech
- Mississippi State
- Arkansas
- Auburn
- North Carolina
- Georgia
- Florida
- Clemson
- Southern Miss
- Coastal Carolina
- Oklahoma
- North Carolina State
- Miami
- Florida State
- Oregon State
- Tennessee
- Wake Forest
- Mississippi
- Vanderbilt
- Texas A&M
- Oregon
- TCU
Three teams dropped out of the poll this week: No. 11 Louisville (3-4), No. 22 Virginia (6-1), and No. 24 Arizona (1-7). These departures underscore the competitive nature of college baseball and the rapid shifts in rankings based on weekly performance.
LSU will return to action on , hosting McNeese at 6:30 p.m. CT on SEC Network+. The Tigers will then welcome Dartmouth and Northeastern for a series beginning on .
The early season has already provided a glimpse into the potential contenders for the 2026 College World Series. With LSU now at the helm, the college baseball landscape promises a thrilling and competitive season.