CWS field set

So Oregon State is back in Omaha. The Beavers infiltrating the nation's heartland is becoming a yearly happening.

Now the College World Series field is set. A quick look at the eight teams through the eyes of an optimist and a cynic.

Rice
Optimistic look: Joe Savery and the Owls practically live in Omaha in June. This is the year they live up to their high billing.
Cynic says: No Humber-Niemann-Rice rotation, no chance. The Owls better hope they swing the sticks at Rosenblatt.
Louisville
Optimistic look: The nothing-to-lose Cinderella Cardinals let it all hang out and run their way to a surprise showing in their maiden CWS trip.
Cynic says: The Cardinals finally face some true NCAA postseason-caliber pitching. Let's see how they handle it.
North Carolina
Optimistic look: The Heels have the moxie, the pitching and the impetus to finish the job this year.
Cynic says: Those two first-round draft picks of a year ago aren't pitching. Chad Flack hasn't been himself. And can you count on a guy who sounds like a Shrek character (Fronk)?
Mississippi State
Optimistic look: The Bulldogs keep taking advantage of their second chance and give Ron Polk his first national title.
Cynic says: Come on, how long can the Bulldogs, who don't dominate in any one category, keep this ruse up?
Arizona State
Optimistic look: The best offense in America meets college baseball's hitters' haven. Even a little pitching will win it.
Cynic says: Pat Murphy's teams keep coming up short in Omaha for different reasons. What's this year's excuse?
Cal State Fullerton
Optimistic look: They still have George Horton in the dugout and Wes Roemer on the mound. And there's always that Fullerton magic.
Cynic says: Do you see a Kurt Suzuki or Jason Windsor in Titan blue and orange this year?
Oregon State
Optimistic look: To quote catcher/rap rhyme writer Mitch Canham, "This is how the ring look." That's right, the Beavers are still the champs.
Cynic says: The Beavers almost got no-hit by Michigan. Imagine what a real pitching staff can do to them.
UC Irvine
Optimistic look: The Anteaters have won 5 straight postseason games at Texas and at Wichita State. Who else will scare these guys? Plus, great haircut story involving first baseman Taylor Holiday.
Cynic says: They didn't hit really well against Wichita State. They're the West Coast Cinderella, battling the really big boys of the sport. They'll be lucky not to go 2 and 'cue.