DALLAS (NCBWA) The National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association continues its tradition of NCAA Division I polls for the 22nd year with its 2019 weekly surveys and there is a new No. 1 this week as UCLA takes over the top spot, becoming the third team to be ranked No. 1 so far this season.
The Bruins take over at No. 1 after taking two-of-three from then-No. 2 Oregon State over the weekend. Mississippi State jumps up to No. 2 after taking two-of-three from Florida and Stanford, who was idle last week, rounds out the top three.
The Pac-12 received all the first-place votes in the poll this week, with UCLA garnering 20, Oregon State getting two and Arizona State receiving one.
Overall, there are three Pac-12 schools in the top 10, with all three in the top five, along with five SEC programs and two ACC schools.
The biggest riser this week was Arizona State, jumping up eight spots to No. 12 as they remain the only undefeated team in the country. NC State, also jumped up eight after a 4-1 week now sits at No. 10, while Arkansas jumped up five to No. 8.
The 2019 poll voters come from among 35 college baseball writers and related media persons from throughout the nation. After a preseason Top 40 listing, the remainder of the polls feature a national Top 30.
This week's current survey has representation by eight different conferences among the 299 baseball-playing schools in the 2019 NCAA Division I ranks. The rankings of 2018 had 15 different DI conferences rated at least one week. For more information or to join the NCBWA, please go to ncbwa.com.
Founded in 1962, the NCBWA is dedicated to the advancement of college baseball. Membership is open to writers, broadcasters and publicists of the sport. Members receive a membership card, directory, newsletter updates and official votes in the Dick Howser Trophy, Regional Players of the Year and NCBWA All-America voting. The NCBWA also sponsors Division I Players of the Week, the Stopper of the Year, and publication and writing contests.