College World Series 2017: TV Schedule and Predictions from Omaha

Eight teams remain in the quest for a College World Series, and the scene will officially shift to Omaha, Nebraska, this weekend as the nation's top teams compete for superiority on the diamond. 

As a reminder, the eight teams still standing have been split into two brackets, which will follow the double-elimination format from rounds prior. Once winners from those groups have emerged, a best-of-three championship series will be held to determine a winner. 

For now, though, we can only map out the first batch of games with play scheduled to begin Saturday afternoon. 

As a reminder, here's a rundown of the clashes that are slated to unfold this weekend: 

• Saturday, June 17: Cal State Fullerton vs. Oregon State, 3 p.m. ET (ESPN)
• Saturday, June 17: Florida State vs. LSU, 8 p.m. ET (ESPN)
• Sunday, June 18: Texas A&M vs. Louisville, 2 p.m. ET (ESPN)
• Sunday, June 18: TCU vs. Florida, 7 p.m. ET (ESPN2)

An overview of the two brackets can be found at NCAA.com, while the schedule for the entire tournament is available at D1Baseball.com. 

Predictions

Cal State Fullerton vs. Oregon State

Cal State Fullerton made light work of Long Beach State in the NCAA Super Regionals, but the Oregon State Beavers will represent a far more daunting opponent. 

The nation's No. 1-ranked team, Oregon State has yet to lose in NCAA tournament play. In regionals, the Beavers racked up an 8-2 win over Holy Cross and then defeated Yale 11-0 and 8-1 to lock up a spot in the Super Regionals. 

Once there, the Beavers protected their home turf in Corvallis, Oregon, by dispatching the Vanderbilt Commodores with 8-4 and 9-2 victories. 

As those scores indicate, runs don't come easily against the Beavers. In fact, Oregon State wields what's far and away the nation's most dynamic group of arms. According to NCAA.com, the Beavers rank No. 1 nationally with a team ERA of 1.80. 

That group is led by Jake Thompson, who has racked up a 1.52 ERA and 113 strikeouts while going 14-0, including 2-0 in the postseason. 

Assuming Thompson is on the bump Saturday afternoon, the Beavers should be looking at a strong start to their stay in Omaha. 

Prediction: Oregon State 7, Cal State Fullerton 2

LSU vs. Florida State

The No. 3 LSU Tigers and No. 16 Florida State Seminoles will clash in Saturday's prime-time showdown.  

Like the Beavers, the Tigers haven't dropped a game since the start of NCAA championship play thanks in large part to strong pitching. 

The Seminoles, though, could pose a stiff challenge considering they lit up Sam Houston State in a commanding 19-0 Super Regional win on June 11. 

Now it will be up to LSU's probable starter Alex Lange to silence Florida State's bats and keep LSU on the winning track. 

With a 2.92 ERA and 9-5 record after winning both of his postseason starts—including a June 10 win over Mississippi State that saw him record 10 strikeouts in 7.2 innings—Lange is surging at the right time. 

The Seminoles have the firepower necessary to pull off an upset, but the Tigers rank among the hottest teams in the country. 

"This is not the end," LSU shortstop Kramer Robertson said, according to The Advertiser's Glenn Guilbeau. "We're ready to go."

Prediction: LSU 5, Florida State 4

Texas A&M vs. Louisville

The Louisville Cardinals head to Omaha looking for the program's first-ever College World Series title, and they appear in position to make that dream a reality. 

The No. 4 overall seed in this year's tournament, the Cardinals have star power few teams can match. 

The headliner is Brendan McKay, who has won three consecutive John Olerud Awards as the nation's premier two-way player. 

So far this season, McKay—who operates as a left-handed pitcher and first baseman—has smacked 17 home runs and dazzled on the mound with a 2.34 ERA. McKay also ranks tied for No. 1 in the nation with 140 strikeouts. 

Then there's infielder Drew Ellis, who has slashed .367/.457/.729 with 20 home runs and 61 RBI. 

Texas A&M will counter with a pitching staff that ranks 15th nationally with a 3.42 ERA, but the Aggies may have trouble keeping pace if Ellis and McKay are able to set the tone early and often. 

Entering the weekend, Rob Childress' side ranks 130th nationally with a team batting average of .275. 

Prediction: Louisville 9, Texas A&M 4 

TCU vs. Florida

The Florida Gators are headed to the College World Series for the third straight year, but they're still in search of a breakthrough following failed title bids in 2015 and 2016. 

But in order to take down the TCU Horned Frogs on Sunday, the Gators will need their bats to come alive. 

To this point in the season, Florida ranks a lowly 205th nationally with a cumulative batting average of .262.

Those deficiencies have been masked by a pitching staff that has combined to record a 22nd-ranked 3.55 ERA, but it's clear the Gators won't be playing in the championship series unless they experience an awakening at the plate. 

That much became clear during the Super Regionals, when their two wins over the Wake Forest Demon Deacons came in 2-1 and 3-0 fashion. 

If there's good news for Florida, it's that the Horned Frogs have a team ERA of 3.99 that should give the Gators a few openings to get on the board. 

However, the Gators can't afford to have a slip-up on the mound. 

Although TCU's offense doesn't rank among the country's most potent, the Horned Frogs have topped eight runs in three of their last five games—including a 15-run outing against Dallas Baptist on June 5. 

Florida's the more accomplished team, but with a small margin for error, the edge goes to TCU. 

Prediction: TCU 6, Florida 3