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 22, 2026

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