LSU finishes as the No. 1 team in the USA TODAY Sports baseball poll. The Tigers are followed by championship series finalist Coastal Carolina, Arkansas, Oregon State and UCLA.

The LSU Tigers capped off a historic season not only by capturing the 2025 Men’s College World Series title, but by earning the final No. 1 ranking in the prestigious USA TODAY Sports baseball poll, solidifying their dominance from start to finish. After a 56–10 campaign that included an SEC Championship, a commanding run through the NCAA Tournament, and a national title in Omaha, the Tigers were the unanimous choice among coaches and voters, sitting firmly atop the final poll released Monday.

Following LSU in the top five were national runner-up Coastal Carolina, perennial SEC power Arkansas, the always formidable Oregon State Beavers, and UCLA, which had a late-season surge to secure a top-five finish. The final rankings reflected not only postseason performance but overall consistency, strength of schedule, and impact on the national stage.

For LSU, the top spot was the culmination of a season-long march marked by dominant pitching, clutch hitting, and relentless focus under fourth-year head coach Jay Johnson, who now adds another feather to his already stacked résumé. Johnson’s leadership was praised across the sport this year as he guided a loaded roster through the rigors of SEC play and into the crucible of the NCAA Tournament. What separated LSU from the rest, however, wasn’t just talent — it was the team’s ability to execute in high-pressure situations time and time again.

The Tigers began the year ranked No. 2 in the preseason poll, behind Wake Forest, but quickly asserted themselves as the team to beat. By mid-March, they had taken over the top ranking and never looked back. Anchored by a potent lineup that featured junior slugger Cade Varela, senior catcher Jalen Robichaux, and breakout freshman DeShawn Lewis, LSU led the nation in team OPS and finished top-three in home runs and runs scored. On the mound, ace Brady Morgan and closer Nolan Freeman headlined a pitching staff that posted a collective 3.14 ERA — the second-best mark among Power Five schools.

LSU’s postseason run was a gauntlet. After sweeping their regional, the Tigers faced a dangerous Oregon State team in the Super Regionals and prevailed in a tense three-game series. Then in Omaha, they dismantled a field that included Stanford, Florida, and Texas A&M, before defeating Coastal Carolina 2-1 in a best-of-three finals series. The Tigers outscored opponents 49–18 in the College World Series and committed just two errors in seven games — a testament to their all-around discipline.

At the heart of it all was Robichaux, the team’s emotional anchor and offensive catalyst, who batted .412 in the postseason and was named to the CWS All-Tournament Team. His timely hitting, masterful game management behind the plate, and veteran leadership helped carry LSU through difficult moments, including a dramatic 3–2 win over Florida in the semifinals that required ten innings.

Meanwhile, Brady Morgan, a sophomore right-hander from Slidell, Louisiana, turned in a season that will be remembered for years. With a 13–1 record, a sub-2.00 ERA, and four dominant wins in postseason play, Morgan was named Most Outstanding Player of the College World Series and is expected to be one of the top arms in the 2026 MLB Draft.

Behind LSU, Coastal Carolina’s dream season ended just shy of a national title but earned them national admiration — and the No. 2 spot in the poll. The Chanticleers, led by head coach Gary Gilmore in his final season, shocked the baseball world with a resilient postseason push that included a sweep of the Austin Regional and an upset of top-seeded Wake Forest in the Super Regionals. Their gutsy play in Omaha, including an elimination-game victory over Arkansas and a thrilling Game 2 win against LSU in the finals, solidified their status as one of the best teams in the country.

Coastal’s run was fueled by senior shortstop Elijah McKnight, who posted a .374 average with 22 steals and flawless defense, and sophomore pitcher Tanner Wells, who emerged as a breakout star in Omaha. Though they fell short in the finale, their postseason grit and balanced roster earned them widespread respect.

Coming in at No. 3 was Arkansas, whose powerful offense and deep rotation made them one of the toughest outs in the tournament. Despite falling short in Omaha, the Razorbacks posted a 51–13 record and won the SEC West with a 22–8 conference mark. They were led by junior outfielder Zach Reaves, who launched 27 home runs, and ace Tyson Grady, who anchored a strong rotation. Head coach Dave Van Horn praised his team’s effort and resilience, noting that while the season ended earlier than hoped, their growth and consistency earned national recognition.

The Oregon State Beavers claimed the No. 4 spot after an impressive season in the Pac-12 and a Super Regional run that only ended after a hard-fought loss to LSU. Oregon State, under head coach Mitch Canham, fielded one of the most complete teams in college baseball. Their pitching staff, led by sophomore sensation Luke Harrington, recorded the third-lowest ERA in Division I, while the offense relied on timely hitting from veterans Colin Maynard and Drew Phelps. The Beavers finished the season 48–15 and were considered by many to be one of the most disciplined and well-coached teams in the country.

Rounding out the top five was UCLA, a team that started the year outside the preseason top 10 but surged late behind the dominant performance of left-hander Marco Castillo and a deep bullpen. The Bruins made a surprise run to the College World Series semifinals, knocking off SEC powers South Carolina and Georgia along the way. Head coach John Savage once again proved his ability to get the most out of his roster, finishing the year with a 47–17 record and a bright outlook for 2026.

Elsewhere in the final poll, Florida landed at No. 6 after another strong campaign, while Texas A&M, Wake Forest, North Carolina, and Virginia rounded out the top 10. Notably, Iowa and Indiana State each earned top-20 finishes after deep regional runs that made them two of the biggest surprises of the postseason.

For LSU, however, the final ranking is more than a statistic — it’s the cherry on top of a historic season that saw them dominate from February to June. It also positions the Tigers as a force heading into next season, with key pieces like Lewis, Morgan, and several bullpen arms set to return. LSU’s 2025 squad now joins the elite company of Tiger teams from 1997, 2000, 2009, and 2023 — not just champions, but teams that defined their era.

Back in Baton Rouge, the celebration continued throughout the weekend. A championship parade rolled down Nicholson Drive, and a rally at Alex Box Stadium drew thousands. Governor Madeleine Landrieu praised the team for their representation of Louisiana pride and excellence, declaring the LSU baseball team “ambassadors of the state’s spirit and determination.”

The USA TODAY poll ranking, while not a trophy, is a significant validation from coaches and analysts across the country. It affirms what LSU players, coaches, and fans have known all year — that this team was special, that its dominance was no fluke, and that it earned every accolade.

Head coach Jay Johnson, reflecting on the season in a post-release interview, spoke about the burden of expectations and the joy of fulfillment. “It’s one thing to have talent. It’s another to come together as a unit, play for each other, and meet the standard every day. That’s what these guys did. Being No. 1 at the end — that’s a symbol of their commitment.”

As for what comes next, LSU’s recruiting class ranks among the top in the nation again, and the returning roster includes several future stars. The expectations will remain sky-high, but for now, the Tigers can savor the end of a journey that began in the weight rooms of winter and ended beneath the bright lights of Omaha.

They are champions. They are No. 1. And in the world of college baseball, the LSU Tigers once again sit on the throne — fierce, proud, and unchallenged.