College World Series 2015: Championship Predictions, Format and Full Bracket

The first pitch of the College World Series hit the mitt Saturday afternoon. Only eight teams remain, and the action always ratchets up when the clubs take the field in Omaha, Nebraska, for this best-of-three super regionals round.

The bracket for these series features a lot of teams familiar to even the casual college baseball observer:

On Saturday, the games (televised on the ESPN networks) are:

- Arkansas vs. Virginia (3 p.m. Eastern time) (ESPN)

- Florida vs. Miami (8 p.m. Eastern time) (ESPN)

On Sunday, the games are: 

- LSU vs. TCU (3 p.m. Eastern time) (ESPN)

- CSU Fullerton vs. Vanderbilt (8 p.m. Eastern time) (ESPN 2)

Florida vs. Miami

Something's gotta give when the Gators take on the Hurricanes. Miami's David Thompson is tied atop the national home run standings with 19 round-trippers this season (as of June 8). Florida's JJ Schwarz is not far behind with 18. Miami may have the most offensive firepower, though. Of the typical starting lineup for the Hurricanes, Ricky Eusebio's .297 batting average is the lowest.

But the Gators have a not-so-secret weapon on the mound. Sophomore A.J. Puk fans 12.26 batters, on average, over a nine-inning span. Logan Shore is expected to start in this first game and isn't so bad himself, sporting at 2.50 ERA on the season.

The power on these teams may carry them to the top of the heap. But whose power will prevail? I think the Gators are more balanced and should take this game.

Prediction: Florida 8, Miami 4

LSU vs. TCU

The Sunday games may be of particular interest. The Vanderbilt Commodores are the defending national champions, and the LSU Tigers were the top-ranked team coming into the postseason. Only one will reach the title game. 

So who will it be?

The favorite has to be the LSU Tigers. Back in January, LSU head coach Paul Mainieri told NCAA.com he believed his squad had great power on both sides of the ball:

"

We have excellent all-round athletes who can produce runs with both speed and power, and we have an outstanding defensive club. Our pitching staff is young, but we have great power arm potential in Alex Lange, Jake Godfrey, and Jake Latz.

"

That balance is evident in the team stats. Behind its three big pitchers, LSU ranks 10th nationally in collective ERA with 2.84 runs allowed per nine innings. On offense, the Tigers are fourth in the country in batting average with a .316 team clip. 

On offense, the Tigers are paced by do-it-all shortstop Alex Bregman, who was recently taken second overall in the MLB draft by the Houston Astros. Writing for the Advocate, reporter Ross Dellenger relayed a story that seems to sum up Bregman's dedication to his craft:

"

Alex once asked a hitting instructor to help him prepare for a sidearm pitcher he would face the next day. Alex already had scouted the pitcher. He knew his velocity, his arm slot and his tendencies.

Alex was 14.

"

Butch Dill/Associated Press

Prediction: LSU 5, TCU 1

Vanderbilt vs. CSU Fullerton

Though LSU looks like the front-runner, any of the eight teams can make a run, including the defending champs. Vanderbilt starter Carson Fulmer is averaging 12 strikeouts per nine innings. 

But the Commodores will have to get through frequent CWS visitor CSU Fullerton to advance. The Titans pitching staff is a thing of beauty, leading the nation with a 4.91 strikeout-to-walk ratio and ranking eighth and fifth in team ERA (2.84) and WHIP (1.14), respectively.

This could be a low-scoring series. I give the nod to the Commodores in a pitching duel.

Prediction: Vanderbilt 2, CSU Fullerton 0