By Bryan Smith

THE SUPER REGIONAL CONTENDERS

9. Texas Christian Horned Frogs

TCU has one of the nation's most dangerous (and relaxed) pitching staffs in the nation. AP

My sleeper team to shock the college world is TCU, where Jim Schlossnagle might have the nation's best pitching staff. Transfers Chance Corgan and Seth Garrison, combined with stalwarts Jake Arrieta and Sam Demel, should give TCU an edge in most any weekend series it plays this season. They key will be finding some offense, leaving catcher Andrew Walker as the key for the perennial Mountain West Conference champs.

10. Arizona State Sun Devils

Outscoring Southern Utah by three thousand runs in their season debut was impressive, but the Sun Devils success at the Houston College Classic leads to their high ranking. Arizona State is going to hit with any team in the country, a lineup anchored by three star sophomores. The pitching staff is untested and questionable, but stayed under control in Houston last weekend. Newcomers OF Matt Spencer (transfer) and RHP Mike Leake (freshman) have taken this team to a new level.

11. North Carolina Tar Heels

No team lost top-end talent like the Tar Heels after their run to second in the College World Series, but Mike Fox returns a good team to Chapel Hill this season. While a deep pitching staff led the team to glory in 2006, it will be the offense carrying things this season. The team could see as many as six players with 10 or more home runs, led by Super Regional hero 1B Chad Flack.

12. Florida State Seminoles

While the Seminoles have been as proficient as any college in producing professional talent, this year's version thrives on low-ceiling, college pitching stars. The face of the group is Bryan Henry, crafty enough to reach the double-digit strikeout mark against Tennessee this weekend. Michael Hyde and Luke Tucker are of the same mold, supporting an inexperienced, talented group of hitters. SS transfer Mark Hallberg never strikes out, and balances a top-to-bottom talented group of sluggers.

13. Oregon State Beavers

The Beavers cashed in their best opportunity to strike in 2006, winning the title before losing so many stars to pro ball. However, Pat Casey still believes his Beavers could repeat as champions in the Pac-10. Mike Stutes, Daniel Turpen and Eddie Kunz is not a bad answer for Dallas Buck, Jonah Nickerson and Kevin Gunderson. The biggest hole is probably left by Cole Gillespie on the offense, leaving a big onus on star slugger Mitch Canham and star transfer 2B Jason Ogata.

14. Wichita State Shockers

Oregon State provided hope for northern schools in 2006, but we wait until now to see the North's best club. The Shockers should be able to host a regional despite a tough Missouri Valley Conference, as no other team in the north matches their star power. Two-way star Damon Sublett is the best player in the country that no one has heard of, and Aaron Shafer might be the top national sophomore pitcher.

15. Long Beach State Dirtbags

Assumptions of a declining Dirtbag program have been assuaged quickly this season as coach Mike Weathers' crew has won consecutive series against USC and Texas. The non-conference schedule will continue to be difficult -- on the road at Rice, Arizona State and Wichita State -- but should give the team a good RPI ranking in May. The team's key has been transfer Jason Corder, a powerful outfielder protecting star SS Danny Espinosa in the order. The pitching staff will be learning on the fly, but sophomores Vance Worley and Bryan Shaw are already very solid.

16. Texas Longhorns

Last season's Longhorns team was plagued by a depth problem behind Kyle McCulloch, and problems appear to have gone from bad to worse since the first rounder's exit. McCulloch's assumed replacement, Kenn Kasparek, will spend the season rehabilitating his elbow, leaving new pitching coach Skip Johnson already juggling his pitching staff. Such uncertainty, combined with Texas' sophomore-heavy offense, makes one wonder if this season is simply a build-up towards a 2008 run.

SIXTEEN POTENTIAL SURPRISES

Arizona -- Potential Pac-10 champion, Wildcats mix southpaw ace Brad Mills with young, potent offense.

Baylor -- An inexperienced Bears team will pull some upsets, but look to the future with freshman Aaron Miller.

UCLA -- Even John Savage should have problem with this pitching staff, and offense is year away from peaking.

Cal State Fullerton -- The Titans have so many new faces in 2007 as George Horton builds around Wes Roemer and Evan McArthur.

Evansville -- Seniors up and down the lineup give Evansville their best shot at up-ending Wichita State and making a run.

Georgia -- Big losses to the offense changes the Bulldogs to a pitch-first team, anchored by star closer Josh Fields.

Georgia Tech -- Matt Wieters missed his best chance at a title last season; even Wieters, Danny Payne and Luke Murton can't save this pitching staff.

Houston -- Aaron Brown must step up to replace huge hole left by Brad Lincoln; Luis Flores an underrated two-way star.

Mississippi -- Offense will be a problem, but Zack Cozart should lead team as best shortstop in the nation.

Nebraska -- An experienced pitching staff could leave the Cornhuskers high in Big 12, but offense does not seem built to last.

Oklahoma State -- Runs will be easy to come by in Stillwater with combination of Matt Mangini and Corey Brown in the lineup.

Oral Roberts -- Team will cruise to Mid-Continent Conference championship behind the arm of star Chris Ashman.

Pepperdine -- A disappointing start to the season exposed the offensive problems the team has behind place-setter Adrian Ortiz.

San Diego -- Brian Matusz could be the best pitcher in the nation as Torreros will look to out-pitch clubs every week.

Tennessee -- Loss of Julio Borbon decreases the Volunteers' chances at hosting a regional, but the centerfielder's return could produce an upset.

Winthrop -- Team lost some huge components to pro ball, but sophomore ace Alex Wilson should be good for one lock per week.

Bryan Smith, co-founder of Baseball Analysts, is a freelance writer with work appearing at the Hardball Times, BaseballProspectus.com and Baseball America. Feel free to e-mail Bryan here.