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 5, 2026

1 Kansas – Kan. 37-11 – Big 12
2 Nebraska – Neb. 34-14 – Big Ten
3 Cincinnati – Ohio 32-17 – Big 12
4 Boston College – Mass. 35-16 – ACC
5 Purdue – Ind. 32-15 – Big Ten
6 Kent State – Ohio 35-11 – Mid-American
7 Michigan Mich. 30-17 – Big Ten
8 Missouri State – Mo. 27-17 – C-USA
9 Miami, Ohio – Ohio 32-15 – Mid-American
10 SE Missouri State – Mo. 31-16 – Ohio Valley
11 Northern Illinois – Ill. 29-13 – Mid-American
12 Minnesota – Minn. 29-18 – Big Ten
13 Eastern Illinois – Ill. 28-15 – Ohio Valley
14 Pittsburgh – Pa. 28-18 – ACC
15 Iowa – Iowa 28-18 – Big Ten
16 St. Joseph’s – Pa. 32-15 – Atlantic 10
17 Creighton – Neb. 26-19 – Big East
18 Illinois State – Ill. 30-17 – Missouri Valley
19 Fairleigh Dickinson – N.J. 29-15 – Northeast
20 Utah – Utah 23-19 – Big 12
21 Northeastern – Mass. 28-18 – Colonial
22 Yale – Conn. 23-13 – Ivy
23 Kansas State – Kan. 26-22 – Big 12
24 Notre Dame – Ind. 24-20 – ACC
25 UConn – Conn. 27-22 – Big East