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 
May 12, 2026

1 Nebraska – Neb. 37-14 Big Ten
2 Kansas – Kan. 37-15 Big 12
3 Cincinnati – Ohio 35-18 Big 12
4 Purdue – Ind. 35-15 Big Ten
5 Boston College – Mass. 36-17 ACC
6 Michigan – Mich. 32-18 Big Ten
7 Kent State – Ohio 37-12 Mid-American
8 Missouri State – Mo. 30-17 C-USA
9 Miami, Ohio – Ohio 35-15 Mid-American
10 SE Missouri State – Mo. 35-16 Ohio Valley
11 Northern Illinois – Ill. 31-14 Mid-American
12 Minnesota – Minn. 30-20 Big Ten
13 St. Joseph’s – Pa. 33-17 Atlantic 10
14 Eastern Illinois – Ill. 28-18 Ohio Valley
15 Iowa – Iowa 29-21 Big Ten
16 Northeastern – Mass. 31-18 Colonial
17 Yale – Conn. 27-13 Ivy
18 S. Illinois-Edwardsville – Ill. 30-21 Ohio Valley
19 Pittsburgh – Pa. 28-21 ACC
20 Notre Dame – Ind. 27-20 ACC
21 Utah Tech – Utah 30-21 Western Athletic
22 Connecticut – Conn. 30-22 Big East
23 Illinois State – Ill. 31-20 Missouri Valley
24 Creighton – Neb. 28-21 Big East
25 Kansas State – Kan. 27-24 Big 12