College World Series 2017: Thursday Schedule, Bracket Predictions, Start Time

The College World Series continues to knock off contenders, and only four teams will remain after Thursday's action.

While Oregon State and Florida are safe for at least a few days, LSU and Florida State will compete with their seasons on the line Wednesday night. In the other bracket, TCU and Louisville will play in their own elimination game Thursday.

That battle between the Horned Frogs and Cardinals should be quite a show, with each team capable of winning the title but knowing it has to be at its best just to stay alive. Here is what you need to know heading into the upcoming matchup at TD Ameritrade Park Omaha.

Thursday Schedule

Louisville vs. TCU, 8 p.m. ET (ESPN2)

Full bracket available at NCAA.com.

Preview

Nati Harnik/Associated Press

Both teams have lost exactly one game in the NCAA tournament, each coming to Florida this week thanks to some excellent pitching from the Gators staff.

In this matchup, it will likely be the offenses that make the difference.

The third game of the region will probably require the third pitcher in each team's rotation, most likely Nick Bennett for Louisville and either Mitchell Traver or Nick Lodolo for TCU. Bennett has had a solid season with a 2.70 ERA while the two from TCU have had strong showings, although none have been consistent enough for us to expect a shutdown performance.

This means the lineups will have to come through in what could be a back-and-forth game to advance in Omaha.

Evan Skoug has been the star for the Horned Frogs at the plate, coming through with some big hits:

This includes an RBI double Tuesday and a pair of key two-run home runs in the super regional against Missouri State. However, there are question marks about the depth of the lineup behind the star catcher.

Brendan McKay is the obvious key for the Cardinals as the Dick Howser Trophy winner, but Drew Ellis is just as dangerous behind him in the batting order. Logan Taylor and Colby Fitch also do great jobs of setting the table by getting on base and into scoring position.

Louisville was averaging 8.2 runs per game during the NCAA tournament before Tuesday's loss to Florida, but the offense should get back to work next game.

One of the challenges for both sides will be handling the pressure of playing in an elimination game. TCU pitcher Brian Howard had no problem in this situation en route to his 12-strikeout showing against Texas A&M.

"I love it," he said of the pressure, per the team's official Twitter account. "It's more fun. It's fun to go out there and compete with your back against the wall."

Howard won't be able to compete in the upcoming game, but the Horned Frogs will try to keep the momentum going after their win last time out. Louisville doesn't have any experience playing this type of game in 2017, so we don't know how the players will react.

With that said, the Cardinals have the better talent on the field and should secure the victory.

Prediction: Louisville 7, TCU 5

Note: Statistics courtesy of team sites and NCAA.com.