I filled out my 2026 NCAA baseball tournament bracket. I picked winners of each regional, the eight to advance to Omaha for the Men's College World Series and a national champion.
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Let’s do it, starting with the top left portion of the bracket. I have UCLA making it out of its regional unscathed, facing off against West Virginia in super regionals.
Now, for a big upset pick: Baseball is unpredictable and I didn’t want to have a chalk bracket. I have Jacksonville State making it out of Southern Miss’ regional. This is a bold pick sure, but the Gamecocks beat Auburn twice this year, run-ruled the Tigers in one game, and played Alabama really close. I have them facing Florida in super regionals.
Another upset pick: Tennessee comes out of UNC’s regional. The Tar Heels drew a tough regional group. It could go any way here, but I have Tegan Kuhns and the Vols making it out for an all-SEC super regional against Texas A&M. Southern Cal is a good pick out of that regional as well, but I stuck with the Aggies, playing with home field advantage.
📝 BRACKET BREAKDOWN: Michella Chester runs through the 2026 tournament bracket
Nebraska has a tough draw too with Arizona State and Ole Miss, but coming off a disappointing loss in the Big Ten tournament and in front of Husker nation, I am picking Nebraska to advance to super regionals against No. 4 national seed Auburn.
In the top right of the bracket, I have Georgia Tech making it out without a blemish. Then another upset pick. Arkansas was a hot topic about whether the Razorbacks should have been a host after making a run to the SEC tournament championship game. I am picking the Razorbacks over host Kansas, setting up a super regional matchup with No. 2 national seed Georgia Tech.
Then I have Florida State against Alabama in my next super regional.
I also have Texas making it through to supers to face Oregon, and another all-SEC super regional rematch with Mississippi State facing Georgia.
Now for my eight teams to Omaha for the Men's College World Series.
I am going with No. 1 overall seed UCLA. It has the offense to go the distance and the ability to surge late in games and grind out wins. I have Florida making it as well. The Gators are hot at the right time, with insane pitching and a lot of superstars.
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I have both Texas A&M and Auburn making it to Omaha. I think Georgia Tech is too dangerous despite a tough super matchup. Upset pick here: I have Florida State making it past Alabama into the MCWS. Strong pitching here makes the difference in the postseason.
Another upset pick: I have Oregon over Texas to advance to Omaha. I just watched the Ducks in person, and this lineup can hit 1-9. There are no breaks facing them, and they hit for power. Finally, Georgia. I have the Bulldogs beating Mississippi State for the fifth time this season.
Now for my champ pick: It's genuinely wide open this year. I truly think any of these teams are capable of winning a national title. I ran through them all and narrowed it down to UCLA, Florida, Georgia, Auburn and Georgia Tech. Even further, I started deciding between Georgia Tech, Georgia and UCLA.
I think I’ll change my mind every other minute from now until Omaha, but for now, I am going with Georgia to win its first national title since 1990.
