Weekend 2 Recap + Mid-Major Power Rankings, UCLA/LSU/Texas Takeaways & Midweek Preview | 11.7 Podcast

This episode of the 11.7 podcast recaps weekend two of the college baseball season, previews the upcoming midweek slate, and breaks down the newly released 11.7 Mid-Major Power Rankings (referred to as “power rankings” due to a past trademark issue with “mid-major top 25”). The hosts also discuss podcast updates (including expanded Instagram/Facebook posting due to audience requests), Dimitri’s new microphone, and shout-outs to game analysts and broadcasters from the weekend’s tournament coverage. 

The show notes major movement in the mid-major rankings, especially in week two. Southern Miss is ranked No. 1 after a six-game win streak and a strong Round Rock showing; UC Santa Barbara is No. 2; UTSA is No. 3 after sweeping Dallas Baptist and starting 7–0; Coastal Carolina and UC Irvine round out the top five while dealing with injuries and a surprising home series loss, respectively. Louisiana Tech is highlighted at No. 6 ahead of an upcoming matchup with Southern Miss. Other notable risers and storylines include Cal Poly at No. 7, Kent State’s 17-spot jump to No. 8 after winning a series at Tennessee, San Diego entering at No. 9 after strong early results despite losing a key shortstop right before the season, and UTRGV at No. 10 after winning a road series at Houston while playing an early schedule heavy with Big 12 opponents.

Kent State receives extended discussion for sweeping Southeastern, competing with LSU midweek, and then taking two of three at Tennessee. Individual notes include Sawyer Solitaire’s hot start, Serin Coffee’s scoreless innings, and Easton Tous (Texas transfer) as a mid-90s starter. The hosts also cover the rest of the Top 25, including South Florida at No. 11, Dallas Baptist dropping to No. 12, Mercer rising after sweeping Columbia, ECU at No. 17 including a rain-shortened tie vs UNC and how the tie will be handled in 11.7 pick’em/survivor games, Louisiana entering at No. 22 after sweeping Maryland (with freshman shortstop Blaise Rodriguez’s five-hit day in a 15-inning game), and UAB at No. 25 for quality early wins.

In “teams of the weekend,” UCLA is praised for sweeping TCU and for key players like Roch Cholowsky (six homers in six games at the time of recording, discussed as a potential No. 1 overall pick) plus standout pitching performances from Logan Redman and Weiland Moss. LSU is described as an elite offensive club with questions about starting pitching. Texas is highlighted for pitching development under Max Weiner and the strength of its rotation and closer usage. Georgia Tech’s offense is discussed as potentially elite despite questions about schedule strength, and Auburn is credited for going 3–0 in Arlington with wins over Kansas State, Florida State, and Louisville.

The episode also touches on Oregon State’s offensive struggles while praising Dax Whitney’s dominant 17-strikeout performance, shouts out UNC’s Jason DeCarlo for consistency and command, and previews key midweek games (including Arizona StateOklahoma). The hosts list the next 11.7 weekend series pick’em matchups—Florida–Miami, Southern Miss–Louisiana Tech, Michigan–San Diego, South Florida–UCF, Nebraska–Auburn, and USC–Cal Poly—and close with notes on upcoming tournaments, early Southland conference play, a planned World Baseball Classic preview episode, and Jack’s return for the next show.

00:00 Weekend 2 Recap Kickoff + What’s on Today’s Show
05:41 Why Weekend 2 Tells Us More Than Weekend 1
07:33 Mid-Major Power Rankings: Top 5 Breakdown (Southern Miss, UCSB, UTSA)
11:19 Ranks 6–10: Louisiana Tech Buzz + Kent State’s Massive Jump
14:21 Kent State Deep Dive: Why the Golden Flashes Are for Real
21:48 Finishing the Mid-Major Top 25 (11–25) + ECU-UNC Rain Tie Ruling
27:49 UTSA Hosting Dreams: The ‘Alamodome Regional’ & Bird Bath Renovation Talk
29:33 Teams of the Weekend: UCLA’s Sweep, Roch’s No. 1 Pick Case, and TCU Pulse Check
42:23 Segue to the Heavyweights: LSU’s Offense Hype vs Starting Pitching Questions
45:55 Texas Spotlight: Max Weiner’s Pitching Lab, Riojas on Fridays, and a Loaded Staff
50:03 Texas arms shut down Michigan State: pitching staff talk
50:42 Is Georgia Tech an A+ team? Lineup loaded with first-round talent
52:34 Auburn goes 3-0 in Arlington: offense wakes up, pitching pieces emerge
55:39 Quick check-in: Arizona State Big 12 favorite buzz
56:18 Oregon State’s offense concerns vs. Dax Whitney’s historic 17-K gem
01:02:43 Weekend leftovers: UNC’s Jason DeCaro praise + Oregon’s big test ahead
01:04:54 AJ Garcia’s 3-HR game wasn’t televised—Synergy to the rescue
01:09:46 Midweek slate preview: upset calls and games to watch (Warren Nolan)
01:18:36 Weekend Series Pick ’Em: six featured matchups + why Clemson/SC is out
01:20:36 Wrap-up: upcoming tournaments, WBC bonus episode plans, and sign-off