Texas A&M (42-10, 17-10 SEC) lost its second consecutive SEC series against Ole Miss to finish out the second to last weekend of conference play. The Aggies failed to find consistency at the plate, wasting Ryan Prager’s ten-strikeout outing on Friday night. At the same time, Justin Lamkin struggled in Game 2 after allowing five runs in 1.2 innings.
Here’s the reality: The Aggies are still in great shape heading into the SEC Tournament. Next weekend’s home series vs. Arkansas will be challenging, but A&M is 30-2 at home and has yet to lose a conference series while playing at Blue Bell Park this season. Even more important, how the Aggies finish out in the RPI rankings will accurately determine their seeding in the postseason.
Around the SEC, Kentucky is now 20-7 in the conference, while Arkansas’ 9-6 comeback win against Mississippi State keeps their significant lead in the West at 19-8, so if the Aggies can sweep the Razorbacks next weekend, they still have a chance at the SEC regular season crown. With Week 13 in the books, here are the updated SEC RPI rankings heading into the final week of the regular season.
14
Missouri Tigers
The Missouri State Bears took on the Mizzou Tigers at Hammons Field on Tuesday, April 16, 2024
2024 record: 22-30 (8-19 SEC)
Ranking (USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll): Not ranked
RPI ranking: 98th
Strength of Schedule: 22nd
13
Auburn Tigers
Auburn batter Kason Howell is congratulated by first base coach Karl Nonemaker after he singled against Missouri during the opening round of the SEC Baseball Tournament at the Hoover Met Tuesday, May 23, 2023.
2024 record: 25-25 (6-21 SEC)
Ranking (USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll): Not ranked
RPI ranking: 45th
Strength of Schedule: 4th
12
Vanderbilt Commodores
Vanderbilt utility Matthew Polk (1) celebrates his RBI-double against Tennessee during the sixth inning at Hawkins Field in Nashville, Tenn., Friday, May 10, 2024.
2024 record: 22-30 (8-19 SEC)
Ranking (USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll): Not ranked
RPI ranking: 32nd
Strength of Schedule: 21st
11
LSU Tigers
May 11 2024; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; LSU third baseman Tommy White tags out Alabama base runner William Hamiter (11) at Sewell-Thomas Stadium Saturday. Alabama lost 6-3 as LSU evened the weekend series.
2024 record: 33-20 (10-17 SEC)
Ranking (USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll): Not ranked
RPI ranking: 31st
Strength of Schedule: 19th
10
Florida Gators
[Cyndi Chambers/ Gainesville Sun] 2024
2024 record: 26-25 (11-17 SEC)
Ranking (USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll): Not ranked
RPI ranking: 26th
Strength of Schedule: 1st
9
Ole Miss Rebels
Ole Miss fans outside Swyaze Field in Oxford, Miss., arrive hours before the downtown parade and program at the field celebrating their National champion Rebel baseball team, winners of the College World Series, Wednesday, June 29, 2022.
2024 record: 27-23 (11-15 SEC)
Ranking (USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll): Not ranked
RPI ranking: 22nd
Strength of Schedule: 2nd
8
South Carolina Gamecocks
[Cyndi Chambers/ Gainesville Sun] 2024
2024 record: 33-17 (13-13 SEC)
Ranking (USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll): 14th
RPI ranking: 16th
Strength of Schedule: 14th
7
Mississippi State Bulldogs
Mississippi State pitcher Khal Stephen (14) pitches against Ole Miss at Swayze Field in Oxford, Miss., on Friday, Apr. 12, 2024.
2024 record: 33-18 (15-12 SEC)
Ranking (USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll): 15th
RPI ranking: 15th
Strength of Schedule: 15th
6
Alabama Crimson Tide
April 19, 2024; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama hitter Mac Guscette (9) congratulates Alabama hitter Ian Petrutz (21) after Petrutz hit a home run against Texas A&M at Sewell-Thomas Stadium in the first game of a double header Friday.
2024 record: 32-19 (15-12 SEC)
Ranking (USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll): 25th
RPI ranking: 11th
Strength of Schedule: 3rd
5
Tennessee Volunteers
Vanderbilt designated hitter Colin Barczi (44) is forced out a second base by Tennessee second baseman Christian Moore (1) during the fourth inning at Hawkins Field in Nashville, Tenn., Friday, May 10, 2024.
2024 record: 42-10 (19-8 SEC)
Ranking (USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll): No. 1
RPI ranking: 6th
Strength of Schedule: 40th
4
Arkansas Razorbacks
Brett Patzke-USA TODAY Sports
2024 record: 42-10 (19-8 SEC)
Ranking (USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll): 3rd
RPI ranking: 4th
Strength of Schedule: 20th
3
Texas A&M Aggies
Dustin Safranek-USA TODAY Sports
2024 record: 42-10 (17-10 SEC)
Ranking (USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll): No. 2
RPI ranking: 3rd
Strength of Schedule: 23rd
2
Georgia Bulldogs
[Cyndi Chambers/ Gainesville Sun] 2023
Gator Baseball April 14 2023 Condron Family Ballpark Georgia Bulldogs
2024 record: 37-12 (15-11 SEC)
Ranking (USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll): 12th
RPI ranking: 2nd
Strength of Schedule: 7th
1
Kentucky Wildcats
[Cyndi Chambers/ Gainesville Sun] 2024
2024 record: 37-11 (20-7 SEC)
Ranking (USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll): 5ht
RPI ranking: 1st
Strength of Schedule: 9th
