2021 USA Today / NFCA D1 Softball Preseason Poll

USA Today/NFCA Division I Top 25 Coaches Poll (Preseason)

The 2021 USA Today / NFCA Division I Top 25 Coaches Poll is voted on by 32 NCAA Division I head coaches with one representing each of the NCAA’s Division I Conferences. Records reflect end of 2020 season.
Rankings
Rank Team Record Points Previous
1 UCLA (32) 25-1 800
2 Washington 23-2 748
3 Arizona 22-3 717
4 Oklahoma 20-4 708
5 LSU 21-3 644
6 Texas 24-3 611
7 Florida 23-4 605
8 Alabama 14-8 588
9 Louisiana 18-6 565
10 Oregon 22-2 481
11 Oklahoma State 19-5 476
12 Florida State 17-7 403
13 Kentucky 20-4 359
14 Georgia 23-5 352
15 Virginia Tech 21-4 317
16 Arizona State 22-7 295
17 Michigan 15-8 264
18 Arkansas 19-6 244
19 South Carolina 17-6 227
20 Mississippi State 25-3 180
21 UCF 21-5-1 159
22 Baylor 19-5 147
23 Missouri 19-7 117
24 Minnesota 15-9-1 114
25 Duke 23-4 64
Others receiving votes:

Fresno State (62), Tennessee (54), Stanford (33), Utah (13), Cal State Fullerton (12), Clemson (9), North Texas (8), Texas Tech (8), Northwestern (7), James Madison (6), Liberty (1), Notre Dame (1), San Diego State (1).

I feel disrespected but I have to remember we aren't as good since Rupp left.

I thought Troy would at least get a vote or two. We had a fairly high RPI last season with some nice wins, even beating #16 South Carolina.

We return the entire starting lineup except for one player... and Leanna Johnson is back, who is likely the best pitcher in the SBC.

(01-26-2021 11:56 AM)CardinalBlackTrojan Wrote:  I thought Troy would at least get a vote or two. We had a fairly high RPI last season with some nice wins, even beating #16 South Carolina.

We return the entire starting lineup except for one player... and Leanna Johnson is back, who is likely the best pitcher in the SBC.

(01-26-2021 12:20 PM)balanced_view Wrote:  

(01-26-2021 11:56 AM)CardinalBlackTrojan Wrote:  I thought Troy would at least get a vote or two. We had a fairly high RPI last season with some nice wins, even beating #16 South Carolina.

We return the entire starting lineup except for one player... and Leanna Johnson is back, who is likely the best pitcher in the SBC.

There is an argument to be made.

(01-26-2021 12:50 PM)CardinalBlackTrojan Wrote:  

(01-26-2021 12:20 PM)balanced_view Wrote:  

(01-26-2021 11:56 AM)CardinalBlackTrojan Wrote:  I thought Troy would at least get a vote or two. We had a fairly high RPI last season with some nice wins, even beating #16 South Carolina.

We return the entire starting lineup except for one player... and Leanna Johnson is back, who is likely the best pitcher in the SBC.

There is an argument to be made.

She’s got some impressive numbers, but how many of those statistics are against subpar competition? The figures may be compiled against elite teams, I honestly don’t know.

The appropriate statement to make would be “one of the best”.
However, I know that no Cajun fans would trade Summer for her.

(01-26-2021 02:10 PM)Cajunjudo Wrote:  

(01-26-2021 12:50 PM)CardinalBlackTrojan Wrote:  

(01-26-2021 12:20 PM)balanced_view Wrote:  

(01-26-2021 11:56 AM)CardinalBlackTrojan Wrote:  I thought Troy would at least get a vote or two. We had a fairly high RPI last season with some nice wins, even beating #16 South Carolina.

We return the entire starting lineup except for one player... and Leanna Johnson is back, who is likely the best pitcher in the SBC.

There is an argument to be made.

She’s got some impressive numbers, but how many of those statistics are against subpar competition? The figures may be compiled against elite teams, I honestly don’t know.

The appropriate statement to make would be “one of the best”.
However, I know that no Cajun fans would trade Summer for her.

It certainly wasn't subpar competition. Troy had a #26 RPI with one of the toughest rated schedules in the nation before COVID stopped the season.

Johnson had some very quality outings... her best being against #15 South Carolina, where only 2 hits were given up.

Summer Ellyson is a fantastic pitcher and could very well be the best. It will be a fun season to see how everything unfolds. Troy once again has a tough schedule with teams like Alabama, Auburn, Georgia Tech, North Carolina, and possibly Michigan.

(01-26-2021 02:45 PM)CardinalBlackTrojan Wrote:  

(01-26-2021 02:10 PM)Cajunjudo Wrote:  

(01-26-2021 12:50 PM)CardinalBlackTrojan Wrote:  

(01-26-2021 12:20 PM)balanced_view Wrote:  

(01-26-2021 11:56 AM)CardinalBlackTrojan Wrote:  I thought Troy would at least get a vote or two. We had a fairly high RPI last season with some nice wins, even beating #16 South Carolina.

We return the entire starting lineup except for one player... and Leanna Johnson is back, who is likely the best pitcher in the SBC.

There is an argument to be made.

She’s got some impressive numbers, but how many of those statistics are against subpar competition? The figures may be compiled against elite teams, I honestly don’t know.

The appropriate statement to make would be “one of the best”.
However, I know that no Cajun fans would trade Summer for her.

It certainly wasn't subpar competition. Troy had a #26 RPI with one of the toughest rated schedules in the nation before COVID stopped the season.

Johnson had some very quality outings... her best being against #15 South Carolina, where only 2 hits were given up.

Summer Ellyson is a fantastic pitcher and could very well be the best. It will be a fun season to see how everything unfolds. Troy once again has a tough schedule with teams like Alabama, Auburn, Georgia Tech, North Carolina, and possibly Michigan.

Cajuns play multiple games against LSU, Texas, and Alabama and also play Auburn, Oklahoma State, and Baylor. Summer last year was 11-1 with a 1.83 ERA and had wins against Ole Miss, Oklahoma State, and two over Florida with her only loss to Texas.

(01-26-2021 11:56 AM)CardinalBlackTrojan Wrote:  I thought Troy would at least get a vote or two. We had a fairly high RPI last season with some nice wins, even beating #16 South Carolina.

We return the entire starting lineup except for one player... and Leanna Johnson is back, who is likely the best pitcher in the SBC.

We are better than last year, less 1 All American pitcher.

Sent from my SM-G981U using Tapatalk

Troy just released their full OOC schedule:

Ole Miss
Chattanooga
Belmont
Belmont
UAB
Liberty
Austin Peay
Mercer
Mercer
Western Carolina
Western Carolina
Samford
Samford
vs. UNC
vs. UNC
vs. Memphis
vs. Memphis
@ Alabama
@ Auburn
vs. Southern Miss
vs. Southern Miss
vs. SE Louisiana
vs. SE Louisiana
Auburn
@ UAB
Alabama State
Georgia Tech

Some chances to get quality wins against Ole Miss, Alabama, Auburn, UNC, and Georgia Tech.

ULM has an interesting schedule

Best on the Bayou Classic (hosted by ULM at the Ouachita Sportsplex)
vs. Jacksonville State
vs. Arkansas
vs. Jacksonville State
vs. Lipscomb
vs. La Tech

@ McNeese

Bearkat Classic (hosted by Sam Houston State)
vs. UTSA
vs. SHSU
vs. UTSA
vs. SHSU
vs. SHSU

vs. La Tech
vs. MVSU

Samford Tournament
4 games TBA

Oklahoma Tournament
vs. Missouri
vs. SHSU
@ Oklahoma
2 tournament bracket games TBA

vs Grambling (DH)
vs SE LA U
@ LSU
@ Grambling (DH)
@ La Tech
@ SE LA U