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College softball rankings – Top 25: UCLA cruises through Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic

By Ethan Lee

TUCSON, AZ - APRIL 13: Softballs with the NCAA, Pac-12, and Arizona Wildcats logo during a college softball game between the UCLA Bruins and the Arizona Wildcats on April 13, 2018, at Hillenbrand Stadium in Tucson, AZ. UCLA Bruins defeated Arizona Wildcats 7-6. (Photo by Jacob Snow/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
TUCSON, AZ - APRIL 13: Softballs with the NCAA, Pac-12, and Arizona Wildcats logo during a college softball game between the UCLA Bruins and the Arizona Wildcats on April 13, 2018, at Hillenbrand Stadium in Tucson, AZ. UCLA Bruins defeated Arizona Wildcats 7-6. (Photo by Jacob Snow/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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New college softball rankings see the UCLA Bruins showing no signs of slowing down from winning the Women’s College World Series last season.

The Pac-12 looks to be pretty powerful this season. So far, the defending national champs appear to be the best college softball team in the country with the Washington Huskies nipping right at the Bruins’ heels. The Arizona Wildcats aren’t far behind the Bruins and the Huskies either.

But that doesn’t mean the Pac-12 holds a monopoly on having the best college softball teams in the country this season. The Big 12 and SEC both appear to have solid contenders, just as they do every year. And with it being so early in the year, it’s hard to tell just how everything will shake out as the year progresses. Right now, the Pac-12 appears to be the best conference so far.

FanSided Top 25 softball rankings

  1. UCLA
  2. Washington
  3. Texas
  4. Arizona
  5. Florida
  6. LSU
  7. Oklahoma
  8. Baylor
  9. Michigan
  10. Georgia
  11. Duke
  12. Missouri
  13. Virginia Tech
  14. South Carolina
  15. Louisiana
  16. Arkansas
  17. Florida State
  18. Alabama
  19. Iowa
  20. Texas Tech
  21. Utah
  22. Arizona State
  23. Kentucky
  24. Mississippi State
  25. Oklahoma State

Team on the rise: South Carolina

The South Carolina Gamecocks are on a bit of a roll right now. The Gamecocks have proved they can beat talented teams (Michigan) and have won five straight games. There’s a good chance the Gamecocks can cause some chaos in the SEC this season.

Teams trending down: Oklahoma, Michigan

The Sooners sure struggled against the Washington Huskies in the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic. Oklahoma barely put up a fight as Washington thumped Oklahoma with ease. Oklahoma is still one of the best teams in the country and will have plenty of chances to prove itself throughout the year, but losing 12-2 to Washington, a team that will almost certainly make it to the Women’s College World Series shows the Sooners have some work to do.

Michigan had a rough time in the Gamecock Invitational. After starting off with a win down in Columbia, the Wolverines lost three straight, sending them staggering on to the Judi Garman classic. Michigan has a chance at redemption there when it faces off against the likes of Texas and Washington.