TUCSON, Ariz. – The Nebraska baseball team was picked fourth in Collegiate Baseball’s preseason rankings released Friday.

The Huskers, who won a school-record 57 games and reached the College World Series for the third time in five seasons, welcome back 15 letterwinners from a year ago, including All-American pitchers Joba Chamberlain and Johnny Dorn along with regional MVP Andy Gerch.

The Huskers were one of four Big 12 teams ranked in the top-40, including three teams in the top-15. Defending NCAA champion Texas was picked first by the publication, while Missouri (14), Baylor (23) and Oklahoma (29) were also tabbed by the publication. The "Collegiate Baseball" Newspaper poll is the oldest college baseball poll. Its birth took place during the 1957 college baseball season.

Nebraska begins the 2006 season on Thursday, Feb. 16, when the Huskers take on Charleston Southern, while the home opener is set for Friday, March 10 against Alabama.

The Nebraska baseball program will hold its annual coaches clinic on Jan. 13-14, and for more information and how to register, contact the NU baseball office at 402-472-2269.

Collegiate Baseball Newspaper's  
NCAA Div. I Pre-Season Poll
(As of Dec. 23, 2005)    
Rank School ('05 Final Record) Points Final '05 Rank
1. Texas (56-16)   496  1
2. Florida (48-23)   492  2
3. Oregon St. (46-12)  490  7
4. Nebraska (57-15)  489  6
5. Rice (45-19)   487  16
6. Clemson (43-23)  484  13
7. North Carolina (41-19-1) 482  21
8. Florida St. (53-20)  479  15
9. Cal. St. Fullerton (46-18) 476  9
10. Georgia Tech. (45-19)  475  10

11. Miami, Fla. (41-19-1)  473  14
12. Arizona St. (42-25)  470  3
13. Pepperdine (41-23)  469  23
14. Missouri (40-23)  467  -
15. Louisiana St. (40-22)  466  19
16. Long Beach St. (37-22) 463  18
17. South Carolina (41-23)  461  26
18. Florida Atlantic (37-24) 459  -
19. Tennessee (46-21)  458  8
20. Mississippi (48-20)  456  11

21. Southern California (41-22) 455  17
22. Notre Dame (38-24-1)  453  -
23. Baylor (46-24)  450  4
24. Tulane (56-12)  449  5
25. Stanford (34-25)  447  -
26. Wichita St. (51-24)  444  27
27. Texas Christian (41-20) 443  29
28. Winthrop (44-22)  440  -
29. Oklahoma (35-26)  438  -
30. Southern Miss. (41-21) 435  -

31. Arizona (39-21)  434  12
32. Houston (29-30)  430  -
33. Arkansas (39-22)  428  -
34. Mississippi St. (42-22)  427  -
35. San Francisco (38-18)  425  -
36. San Diego (30-27-1)  422  -
37. Stetson (35-28)  419  -
38. Washington (33-22)  415  -
39. Georgia (30-25)  413  -
40. Fresno St. (30-29)  409  -

Other Teams Receiving Votes: Cal Poly SLO, Vanderbilt, Alabama, Auburn, California, UCLA, Ohio St., North Carolina St., Coastal Carolina, Louisville, U.C. Irvine, Virginia Commonwealth, Miami (Ohio), Oral Roberts, Central Florida, East Carolina, Central Michigan, Southern Illinois, Nevada-Las Vegas, San Diego St., Maine, Birmingham Southern, Jacksonville St., South Alabama, Louisiana-Lafayette, Troy, Florida International, Loyola Marymouht, Army, College of Charleston, Georgia Southern, N.C. Charlotte, Richmond, Western Carolina, Northwestern St., Lamar, Southern. 

***This release can be viewed on "Collegiate Baseball" newspaper's web site: www.baseballnews.com