Weather is such a huge factor in the overall success of college baseball teams. With all the travel, lack of outdoor practice, and 3/4 of the season on the road, there is such a huge competitive inequity for cold weather teams vs. warm weather teams. Comparing them is like comparing apples to oranges.

Maybe someday there will be a Northern College World Series for cold-weather teams only. But for now, here is The Baseball Collegian’s new Northern College Baseball Poll to celebrate just those teams from northern climates.

Notes:
• Win-loss percentage and strength of schedule are key factors.
• Teams below .500 are not eligible for the poll.
• Mild weather states (yellow on the map) are considered warm weather states.

The Baseball Collegian
Northern College National Poll 
April 29, 2026

1 Kansas – Kan. 33-11 – Big 12
2 Nebraska – Neb. 33-11 – Big Ten
3 Boston College – Mass. 33-14 – ACC
4 Pittsburgh – Pa. 28-14 – ACC
5 SE Missouri State – Mo. 31-13 – Ohio Valley
6 Cincinnati – Ohio 29-17 – Big 12
7 Missouri State – Mo. 26-15 – C-USA
8 Kent State – Ohio 31-11 – Mid-American
9 Miami, Ohio – Ohio 29-13 – Mid-American
10 Purdue – Ind. 28-15 – Big Ten
11 Iowa – Iowa 26-16 – Big Ten
12 St. Joseph’s – Pa. 29-14 – Atlantic 10
13 Michigan – Mich. 27-17 – Big Ten
14 Northern Illinois – Ill. 25-13 – Mid-American
15 Utah Tech – Utah 28-16 – WAC
16 Kansas State – Kan. 26-18 – Big 12
17 Minnesota – Minn. 26-17 – Big Ten
18 Creighton – Neb. 25-16 – Big East
19 Eastern Illinois – Ill 24-15 – Ohio Valley
20 Yale – Conn. 23-13 – The Ivy League
21 Wichita State – Kan. 26-19 – American Athletic
22 Illinois State – Ill. 26-17 – Missouri Valley
23 Fairleigh Dickinson – N.J. 26-15 – Northeast
24 Rider – N.J. 23-14 – MAAC
25 Northeastern – Mass. 25-17 – Colonial