Tennessee’s Christian Moore (1) celebrates after rounding the bases on a home run against Evansville during the Knoxville Regional of the NCAA baseball tournament on Sunday, June 9, 2024 in Knoxville, Tenn.
- The Tennessee Volunteers and Florida State Seminoles start their College World Series hunt Friday afternoon in Omaha.
- The Vols are the No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament and performed as such en route to their 3rd CWS appearance in the past 4 years. Florida State decimated competition on their way to Omaha for the first time since 2019.
- See the odds, pitchers and a prediction for Friday’s College World Series game below.
The nation’s No. 1 and No. 8 seeds face off in Omaha Friday night as the Tennessee Volunteers “host” the Florida State Seminoles at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN.
Tennessee and Florida State boast 2 of the best offenses in college baseball, both sitting in the top 10 in hits, home runs and runs. Tennessee leads the nation in long bombs by a significant margin while Florida State has one of the best batting average numbers in the country at .316 (Tennessee sits at .310).
As we’ll cover, the Vols and Seminoles are adept on the mound as well. Keep reading to learn more about the matchup with a look at the odds, starting pitchers and more, leading to a final prediction for Friday’s important tilt.
Tennessee vs. Florida State Odds
| Team | Runline | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Florida State | +1.5 (-135) | +135 | O 10.5 (-120) |
| Tennessee | -1.5 (+105) | -175 | U 10.5 (-110) |
Odds above via Fanatics Sportsbook. Check out our Fanatics Promo Code for more information on a fantastic welcome offer!
Tennessee is listed as the moderate favorite for Friday’s CWS matchup, sitting at -175 ML. Florida State is given +135 Odds according to Fanatics.
The Vols are also runline favorites, though Florida State is favored to keep the game within at run at -135. Tennessee sits at -1.5 (+105).
The Over/Under for this matchup is set at 10.5, with the over slightly favored at -120. These are 2 of the top offenses in college baseball, so it really comes down to the duel between Tennessee’s first 2 arms and FSU ace Jamie Arnold.
Chris Stamos vs Jamie Arnold
| 3-0 | Record | 11-3 |
| 4.02 | ERA | 2.77 |
| 31.1 | IP | 100.2 |
| 1.14 | WHIP | 1.03 |
| 35 | Ks | 155 |
It’ll be lefty vs. lefty on the mound to start Friday afternoon between Tennessee and Florida State. The Vols are throwing their usual Friday starter Chris Stamos while the Seminoles will wheel out their top arm, Jamie Arnold.
Let’s start with Arnold, who could very well be the best pitcher in the CWS field. He has a 3-0 record against SEC programs including a win over Florida, which is on the other side of the CWS bracket. He boasts a top 15 ERA of 2.77 and holds an 11-3 record. By all accounts, he’s a future first-round MLB Draft selection.
The sophomore has thrown more strikeouts than any player in the field, with 2nd place being Tennessee’s AJ Causey. That name is important for tomorrow’s game, too.
Stamos is unlikely to see Florida State’s entire order. Tennessee usually pitches him for an inning or 2 to start before handing the ball over to Causey, who has 117 strikeouts on the year and boasts a 8-1 record since moving into more of a relief role with the Volunteers. He has a 3.77 ERA.
The Vols have a slight bullpen edge for Friday’s matchup, with 3 arms sub 4 ERA compared to just 1 for Florida State.
Tennessee Volunteers vs. Florida State Seminoles Prediction (June 14)
Florida State coach Link Jarrett was the head coach when Notre Dame shocked Tennessee in the 2022 Super Regional round. The similarities between the 2022 Vols and 2024 Vols are striking, but don’t expect them to make the same mistake against Jarrett twice.
Tennessee is the nation’s No. 1 team for a reason. Arnold will be tough to manage, but Tennessee has faced tougher pitchers in similar situations to this and succeeded (Paul Skenes last season comes to mind) all the same. Short of an all-out Arnold masterclass, Tennessee -1.5 is a strong play at +105.
The over is the obvious choice here, too. These offenses are just too powerful at the end of the day.
TEN vs. FSU pick: Tennessee -1.5 (+105), Over 10.5 (-110)
Ethan Stone was an editor for his student newspaper at the University of Tennessee and is now a News Manager for Saturday Down South and contributor with SBD!
The highly anticipated matchup between the Tennessee Volunteers and the Florida State Seminoles in the College World Series has baseball fans buzzing with excitement. Both teams have had impressive seasons and are now facing off in a crucial game that could determine their fate in the tournament.
The odds for this matchup are currently in favor of Tennessee, who have been on a hot streak throughout the season. The Volunteers have a strong lineup of hitters and solid pitching rotation that has helped them secure key wins in the postseason. On the other hand, the Seminoles have also been playing well and have a talented roster that is capable of pulling off an upset.
In terms of predictions, many experts believe that this game will be a close one, with both teams evenly matched in terms of talent and skill. It could come down to which team is able to capitalize on key opportunities and make the most of their chances on the field. Fans can expect a thrilling game with plenty of action and drama as these two powerhouse teams battle it out for a spot in the next round of the tournament.
As for the probable pitchers for this matchup, Tennessee is expected to start their ace pitcher who has been dominant all season long. His ability to shut down opposing hitters and keep runs off the board will be crucial for the Volunteers’ success in this game. On the other side, Florida State will likely counter with a solid pitcher of their own who has the ability to keep hitters off balance and give his team a chance to win.
Overall, this matchup between Tennessee and Florida State is shaping up to be a must-watch game for baseball fans everywhere. With high stakes on the line and two talented teams going head-to-head, this game is sure to be a thrilling and intense battle that will keep fans on the edge of their seats until the final out is recorded. Be sure to tune in and see which team comes out on top in this exciting showdown in the College World Series.
