Huskers Ranked 15th in Preseason Poll

The <?xml:namespace prefix="st1" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"?>Nebraska softball team earned a No. 15 ranking in the 2007 USA Today/NFCA top 25 preseason poll, released on Wednesday. Defending national champion Arizona garnered 23 of a possible 30 first-place votes to take the top spot.<?xml:namespace prefix="o" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office"?>

 

The Huskers earned the second-highest ranking of any Big 12 school, but the five league schools that earned a spot in the poll were all in the top 20. Texas A&M, the preseason favorite to win the league, came in at No. 13. Following NU was three Big 12 schools, Oklahoma (16th), Texas (17th) and Baylor (18th).

 

In 2006, the Huskers finished the season ranked 14th in the USA Today/NFCA poll with a 44-12 record. Nebraska returns six starters from last year’s team, including four players who have combined to earn a total of six all-conference awards.

 

NU returns every pitcher from last year’s roster and the infield must replace only one lost starter. The outfield was the hardest hit by graduation, as the Husker lost all three starters from the 2006 season to graduation.

 

Nebraska is scheduled to play at least 13 games against eight teams ranked in the preseason poll, including the Huskers’ Feb. 8 season opener against 24th-ranked Auburn.

 

2007 USA Today/NFCA Preseason Top 25 Poll

Rk.   School                              2006 Record      Points

1.     Arizona (23)                       54-11                737

2.     Tennessee (7)                    61-12                679

3.     UCLA                                50-9                  648

4.     Northwestern                     50-15                647

5.     Arizona State                    53-15                594

6.     Oregon State                     43-16                579

7.     Alabama                           54-11                485

8.     Stanford                            42-18                481

9.     LSU                                  55-14                471

10.    California*                          48-14                436

11.    Michigan                           44-15                400

12.    Washington                       35-25                353

13.    Texas A&M*                      34-19                323

14.    Georgia                             54-15                320

15.    Nebraska                         44-12                280

16.    Oklahoma*                        40-21-1             274

17.    Texas*                              55-9                  273

18.    Baylor*                              38-22                248

19.    Louisiana-Lafayette            50-12                235

20.    Louisville                           45-11                211

21.    FresnoState*                    37-19                198

22.    South Florida                     50-25                181

23.    Massachusetts                  41-16                123

24.    Auburn*                             36-22                84

25.    FloridaState*                    44-30                79

*2007 Husker opponent