What to watch: Cole Carlon vs. a West Virginia lineup that doesn’t chase bad pitches. If Carlon is on, Arizona State takes Game 1. If Dawson Montesa matches him inning for inning, this could be the best game of the weekend nobody’s watching.
ALSO ON THE RADAR
Georgia Tech (No. 4): After getting throttled by Auburn in the midweek, the Yellow Jackets bounced back in their series against Pitt. The Yellow Jackets have a chance to continue that momentum at home this weekend. Their offense still leads the ACC in virtually every category, but the Auburn game exposed something: when a staff is organized and throws strikes, GT’s lineup can be quieted. How James Ramsey’s club responds against a strong ACC opponent in NC State after their first real setback of the season is worth watching.
LSU: The Tigers are at a genuine crossroads. Having lost six of their last ten entering Week 6, the series against Oklahoma was a tone-setter. Whatever that result was, LSU needs a positive momentum shift heading into Week 7. This is a roster too talented to stay unranked, but the window to right the ship before the SEC race slips away is narrowing.
Florida State (No. 6): After taking that NC State series 2-1, the Seminoles are firmly in the top ten and building toward something. Wes Mendes, Trey Beard, Bryson Moore, and a bullpen ERA that still ranks among the nation’s best make them dangerous every weekend. Their schedule this week should be a reset before bigger ACC tests in April.