College Baseball Odds, Best Bets: Collin Wilson’s Sunday College World Series Picks

College Baseball Odds, Best Bets

Omaha, Neb. — After rolling through the first weather delay of the 2024 College World Series, more college baseball action will take place at Charles Schwab Field on Sunday.

The first three games of this June event ended with a walk-off, with North Carolina, Tennessee and Kentucky moving into the winners' bracket. The other side of that coin means that Virginia, Florida State and NC State have fallen to the losers' bracket.

And even though it wasn't a walk-off, Saturday's nightcap between Florida and Texas A&M brought plenty of drama when Aggies right fielder Jace LaViolette robbed a potential go-ahead home run by the Gators in the top of the ninth to preserve a 3-2 lead that would ultimately be enough for A&M.

Sunday's College World Series matchups bring us a game from both the winners' and losers' brackets. At 2 p.m. ET, Virginia and Florida State will look to keep their seasons alive, while North Carolina and Kentucky do battle in an attempt to move to 2-0 at 7 p.m. ET.

Check out both of my College World Series betting previews below, along with NCAA baseball odds, picks and best bets for Sunday, June 16.

Omaha, Neb. — Florida State head coach Link Jarrett will have his toughest assignment of the year on Sunday: saving the 2024 season following a heartbreaking loss to Tennessee.

The Seminoles led by as many as five runs on the Volunteers before a ferocious comeback that featured plenty of errors and questionable calls from the umpires.

If there's a positive from Friday's opener for Florida State, it's that the Seminoles' confidence may be boosted after beating Virginia in a recent ACC Tournament game.

The Cavaliers also suffered a heartbreaking loss to North Carolina, as a ninth-inning comeback stole a victory from starter Evan Blanco, who put up a fantastic performance with only two earned runs and four strikeouts in 6 2/3 innings for his sixth quality start of the season.

Head coach Brian O’Connor will now turn to Jay Woolfolk to save the Cavaliers' season.

The Hoos played Florida State just once this season, a knockout loss in the ACC Tournament. Savino was the starter for that game, as the Seminoles tagged the Elon transfer for four earned over 4 2/3 innings.

The most important pieces from the Virginia bullpen were called on against North Carolina, as Chase Hungate and Aidan Teel gave up a combined five earned runs to the Florida State sticks.

Despite the heavy usage, O'Connor hopes the extra rest afforded to teams in the College World Series will help the Cavaliers come Sunday.

"In Omaha, it's so different because you don't play [the day after your game]," O'Connor said. "Guys get a chance to get rejuvenated and things like that. It's going to be important — whoever we play on Sunday — it's going to be important that we get off to a good start."

Carson Dorsey gets the nod for Florida State, making the matchup project as a near pick'em. Dorsey also pitched in the ACC Tournament against Virginia, giving up four earned runs without recording an out.

The current total for Joe Savino and Dorsey would've projected at 13.8, but Woolfolk pitching for the Cavaliers bumps it to 14.3.

After a brutal Saturday of weather, the wind will shift directions slightly for Sunday, blowing at 15 mph from right to left field. Any warning track shots out to left field could produce crooked numbers on the board.

Pick: Over 12.5 (-115)

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The victors of Friday’s College World Series opening games are set to share the spotlight during prime time on Father’s Day.

North Carolina took another close game and have won four straight with a run margin of +5 dating back to Regionals against LSU. The late-inning heroics of Vance Honeycutt at the plate were the difference in getting past fellow ACC program Virginia.

On the other side of the bracket, Tennessee was in jeopardy of losing its fifth straight Omaha opener, but an offensive assault against Florida State generated heavy drama.

Christian Moore not only hit for the cycle, but his key double in the ninth inning set the table for Billy Burke to tie the game and Dylan Dreiling to knock in the winning run.

The game's apex came on Burke's at-bat, as he had a controversial check swing with two strikes and two outs.

North Carolina is expected to start Shea Sprague, who averages 4.6 innings per outing. The southpaw played a critical role in the Heels' opening Regional win over LSU but gave up four earned runs in five innings in the Super Regional against West Virginia.

Tennessee will send its best starter in Drew Beam to the mound, as the junior looks to rebound from a quick exit against Evansville. Beam has failed to eclipse 87 pitches in any start May 17, giving up 14 earned runs in his last three appearances.

Tennessee projects at -116 with Beam on the mound against Sprague. North Carolina head coach Scott Forbes indicated that closer Dalton Pence will likely be involved in this game after throwing 29 pitches in the win over Virginia.

"Dalton is Dalton — he's been our horse the whole season," Forbes said. "And the thing I like the most, looking at this box score, is he only threw 29 pitches. So, that horse is going to be back out there most likely on Sunday night."

The Tar Heels also used Matt Poston in relief and have yet to send another lights-out closer in Matthew Matthjis to the mound.

The total projects at 13.1, taking in projected innings for the starters, stoppers and closers, along with ERA, FIP and xFIP.

The wind forecast expects Sunday night to be similar to the afternoon — 20 mph gusts, pushing the ball from right to left field. Balls sent to the left-center gap could have a chance to clear the fence.

Pick: North Carolina +1.5 (-110)

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