College World Series Bracket 2013: Teams That Must Play Perfect to Advance

Just two days into this year's College World Series, it is clear that this tournament is up for grabs. The Nos. 1, 3 and 4 teams (North Carolina, Oregon State, LSU) have been bounced to the loser's bracket after just one game. 

These three powerhouse teams now have no margin for error and a tough road ahead, and only one of them can emerge from the loser's bracket. 

This all sets up for an exciting tournament. Check out the brackets, and then I'll delve into the state of the three teams mentioned above that must now play perfect to get a chance to play for the title. 

Bracket 1

Game	Date	Time (EDT)	CWS Team	CWS Team
1	Saturday, June 15	MISS ST 5-4	Mississippi St.	Oregon St.
2	Saturday, June 15	IU 2-0	Indiana	Louisville
3	Monday, June 17	3 p.m.	Oregon St.	Louisville
4	Monday, June 17	8 p.m.	Mississippi St.	Indiana
5	Wednesday, June 19	8 p.m.	Game 3 Winner	Game 4 Loser
6	Friday, June 21	3 p.m.	Game 4 Winner	Game 5 Winner
7*	Saturday, June 22	3 p.m.	Game 6 Winner	Game 6 Loser

*If necessary

Bracket 2

Game	Date	Time (EDT)	CWS Team	CWS Team
1	Sunday, June 16	NC State 8-1	North Carolina	NC St.
2	Sunday, June 16	UCLA 2-1	UCLA	LSU
3	Tuesday, June 18	3 p.m.	North Carolina	LSU
4	Tuesday, June 18	8 p.m.	NC State	UCLA
5	Thursday, June 20	8 p.m.	Game 3 Winner	Game 4 Loser
6	Friday, June 21	8 p.m.	Game 4 Winner	Game 5 Winner
7*	Saturday, June 22	8:30 p.m.	Game 6 Winner	Game 6 Loser

*If necessary

Championship Series

Game	Date	Time (EDT)	CWS Team	CWS Team
1	Monday, June 24	8 p.m.	Bracket 1 Winner	Bracket 2 Winner
2	Tuesday, June 25	8 p.m.	Bracket 1 Winner	Bracket 2 Winner
3*	Wednesday, June 26	8 p.m.	Bracket 1 Winner	Bracket 2 Winner

*If necessary

Oregon State

The Beavers played a classic game in their CWS opener, and they came up just short by losing to Mississippi State, 5-4.

And I really mean they came up just short. ESPNU explains:

The potential walk-off turned warning track out was enough to bounce the Beavers to the loser's bracket.

However, Oregon State has proven before this is not a path too difficult to handle. 

While winning the first of its back-to-back national titles in 2006 and '07, the Beavers had to navigate the loser's bracket. 

With a solid pitching staff and a lineup that features the ultra-hot sophomore slugger Michael Conforto, the Beavers are not out of it yet. 

LSU

LSU certainly did not figure to be in the loser's bracket after one game. This team was one of the favorites to win it all, and they had ace Aaron Nola on the hill. 

Nola has been one of the nation's best pitchers all year, and his starts are almost an automatic victory. However, it wasn't the last time he took the hill, and now, the mighty Tigers have to play flawlessly to work their way through the loser's bracket. 

It certainly is a possibility. The Tigers are a balanced team. Star slugger Mason Katz leads a complete lineup.

The Tigers also have solid pitching and tight defense—although, that defense faltered a bit against the Bruins. UCLA baseball didn't seem too upset about taking advantage of the misfortune:  

LSU now must hope that was just a bit of opening-game jitters. They can't afford anymore costly errors. 

North Carolina

The Tar Heels entered national tournament play as the No. 1 overall seed. They haven't justified that ranking. It's been a battle for this team from the start, and with a loss in their opener to North Carolina State, the Tar Heels have no margin for error.

This squad now has to try and successfully navigate the loser's bracket. Of course, they have the talent to do so.

With quality starters Kent Emanuel and Trent Thornton, this team has the starting pitching to keep itself in any game. 

Also, the Tar Heels are stacked on offense. That includes third baseman Colin Moran, who was just selected No. 6 overall in the MLB draft by the Miami Marlins.

There is no denying this team has the talent to emerge from the loser's bracket, but the Tar Heels sure seem intent on making things difficult for themselves.