Conference USA (2 bids)
SAFELY IN: Dallas Baptist, Louisiana TechON THE BUBBLE (IN): None
ON THE BUBBLE (OUT): Western Kentucky
No change from last week.
Louisiana Tech has joined DBU in the “safely in” category by winning eight of its last nine games since getting swept at Arizona, highlighted by a road series win at DBU. The Bulldogs are currently No. 42 in the RPI and 11-4 in conference, which feels like a sufficient combination for an at-large spot. They must win six of their final nine to remain in the top 45, and we think that is doable, even though it includes a series against first-place Western Kentucky — in Ruston. The Hilltoppers, meanwhile, are hanging on the outskirts of the race due to a No. 87 RPI, and the schedule ahead will not offer them a chance to get that RPI into at-large territory, despite the road set at La Tech. For what it’s worth, the DSR does not provide any relief for the Toppers, who rank No. 82 in that metric.
