- Today
- Holidays
- Birthdays
- Reminders
- Cities
- Atlanta
- Austin
- Baltimore
- Berwyn
- Beverly Hills
- Birmingham
- Boston
- Brooklyn
- Buffalo
- Charlotte
- Chicago
- Cincinnati
- Cleveland
- Columbus
- Dallas
- Denver
- Detroit
- Fort Worth
- Houston
- Indianapolis
- Knoxville
- Las Vegas
- Los Angeles
- Louisville
- Madison
- Memphis
- Miami
- Milwaukee
- Minneapolis
- Nashville
- New Orleans
- New York
- Omaha
- Orlando
- Philadelphia
- Phoenix
- Pittsburgh
- Portland
- Raleigh
- Richmond
- Rutherford
- Sacramento
- Salt Lake City
- San Antonio
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- San Jose
- Seattle
- Tampa
- Tucson
- Washington
UCLA Tops LSU for No. 1 in College Baseball Poll
Bruins take over top spot after Tigers suffer first loss of season
Published on Mar. 2, 2026
Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›
The UCLA Bruins have taken over the No. 1 spot in the USA TODAY Sports college baseball poll, moving up from No. 2 after previously top-ranked LSU suffered its first loss of the season against McNeese. The Bruins also lost a game but picked up wins over ranked opponents Tennessee, Texas A&M, and Mississippi State to bolster their ranking.
Why it matters
The top spot in the college baseball rankings is a highly coveted position, as it can impact postseason seeding, national attention, and recruiting. The shakeup at the top reflects the competitive nature of the sport and the importance of maintaining a strong record against top competition.
The details
UCLA (9-2) jumped LSU (11-1) for the No. 1 ranking after the Tigers lost to McNeese on Feb. 24. The Bruins also lost a game to San Diego State on the same date but their wins over ranked opponents helped them claim the top spot. Texas remains at No. 3, while Mississippi State jumped Georgia Tech to take the No. 4 position. Arkansas fell three spots to No. 9 after suffering its second loss of the season.
- The rankings were updated on March 2, 2026.
- LSU suffered its first loss of the season against McNeese on Feb. 24.
The players
UCLA
The UCLA Bruins baseball team, who have taken over the No. 1 spot in the USA TODAY Sports college baseball poll.
LSU
The LSU Tigers baseball team, who previously held the No. 1 ranking but fell to No. 2 after suffering their first loss of the season.
Texas
The Texas Longhorns baseball team, who remain at No. 3 in the latest rankings.
Mississippi State
The Mississippi State Bulldogs baseball team, who jumped to No. 4 in the poll.
Arkansas
The Arkansas Razorbacks baseball team, who fell three spots to No. 9 after suffering their second loss of the season.
The takeaway
The shakeup at the top of the college baseball rankings highlights the competitive nature of the sport and the importance of maintaining a strong record against top opponents. UCLA's rise to the No. 1 spot is a testament to their ability to win key games, while LSU's first loss of the season serves as a reminder that even the best teams can be vulnerable.
