Down go the Oklahoma Sooners! After losing their first game of the season to the unranked Missouri Tigers, coach Patty Gasso’s group was replaced by the Texas Longhorns in our No. 1 spot.
Our top 10 shook up even more after UCLA, Tennessee, Arizona and South Carolina all dropped games over the weekend. Elsewhere in the rankings, Alabama slid to No. 25 while Stanford jumped a spot, thanks to a series sweep over Notre Dame.
Here’s our ESPN.com/USA Softball Collegiate Top 25 ranking, plus our play of the week and what to watch for in Week 7.
Play of the week
Whew! Tennessee pitcher Karlyn Pickens has officially written her name in the history books. Check out this 78.2 mph strike — the fastest recorded pitch in college softball history — she threw against Arkansas.
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Tennessee’s Karlyn Pickens throws fastest pitch in NCAA softball history
Tennessee pitcher Karlyn Pickens fires a 78.2 mph strike for the fastest-recorded pitch in college softball history.
Player to watch
Robyn Herron, LHP, Arkansas. All eyes were on the circle this weekend in the Razorbacks’ visit to Knoxville — and rightfully so. You’ve already heard about Pickens’ record-setting heater, so let’s focus on Arkansas’ ace Herron. She tied the program record for strikeouts (16) in the first game of the series against Tennessee. In her eight-inning complete game, she only allowed four hits. Herron’s performance against the Volunteers proved that she is one of the best in the game right now.
Series to watch
No. 10 Tennessee at No. 2 Oklahoma
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Friday: 7:30 p.m. ET on SECN+
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Saturday: 2 p.m. ET on ESPN
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Sunday: 2 p.m. ET on SECN+
SEC play is in full swing, and we’re watching this matchup closely to see how both teams bounce back. Oklahoma dropped its first game of the season (but won the series) to unranked Missouri, meanwhile Tennessee lost its series against Arkansas. Expect a pitching duel between aces Pickens and Oklahoma’s ace Sam Landry. The Volunteers’ staff has held opponents to a .153 batting average, and Landry’s having a stellar season with a 1.04 ERA — 10th-best in the nation.
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Week 7 Top 25
Here is the ESPN.com/USA Softball Collegiate Top 25 ranking, plus each team’s next game.
All times Eastern.
1. Texas (17 first-place votes)
Previous rank: 2
Record: 31-2
Next game: vs. Stephen F. Austin, Tuesday at 7 p.m. on SECN+
2. Oklahoma
Previous rank: 1
Record: 29-1
Next game: at Wichita State, Wednesday at 7 p.m. on ESPN+
3. LSU
Previous rank: 3
Record: 29-2
Next game: at Louisiana, Tuesday at 7 p.m. on ESPN+
4. Florida
Previous rank: 4
Record: 30-4
Next game: at UCF, Wednesday at 6 p.m. on ESPN+
5. Texas A&M
Previous rank: 6
Record: 26-5
Next game: vs. Sam Houston, Tuesday at 7 p.m. on SECN+
6. Oregon
Previous rank: 8
Record: 29-3
Next game: at Rutgers, Friday at 4 p.m.
7. UCLA
Previous rank: 5
Record: 28-5
Next game: at Howard, Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. on ESPN+
8. Florida State
Previous rank: 9
Record: 29-5
Next game: vs. Stetson, Wednesday at 3 p.m. on ACC Network Extra
9. Arizona
Previous rank: T10
Record: 29-5
Next game: at BYU, Thursday at 7 p.m. on ESPN+
10. Tennessee
Previous rank: 7
Record: 27-6
Next game: at Oklahoma, Friday at 7:30 p.m. on SECN+
11. South Carolina
Previous rank: T10
Record: 24-6
Next game: vs. Clemson, Tuesday at 6 p.m. on SECN+
12. Virginia Tech
Previous rank: 14
Record: 25-5
Next game: vs. Stanford, Friday at 6 p.m. on ACC Network Extra
13. Texas Tech
Previous rank: 12
Record: 24-9
Next game: at Kansas, Friday at 6 p.m. on ESPN+
14. Arkansas
Previous rank: 16
Record: 23-7
Next game: vs. Kentucky, Friday at 7 p.m. on SECN+
15. Oklahoma State
Previous rank: 13
Record: 19-7
Next game: at Georgia, Wednesday at 7 p.m. on SEC Network
16. Stanford
Previous rank: 17
Record: 23-3
Next game: at Kentucky, Friday at 6 p.m. on SECN+
17. Georgia
Previous rank: 15
Record: 23-8
Next game: vs. Oklahoma State, Wednesday at 7 p.m. on SEC Network
18. Mississippi State
Previous rank: 19
Record: 27-6
Next game: at Southern Mississippi, Wednesday at 7 p.m. on ESPN+
19. Duke
Previous rank: 18
Record: 21-12
Next game: at East Carolina, Wednesday at 6 p.m. on ESPN+
20. Nebraska
Previous rank: 21
Record: 23-8
Next game: at Omaha, Friday at 6 p.m.
21. Ole Miss
Previous rank: 20
Record: 26-6
Next game: vs. Missouri, Saturday at 3 p.m. on SECN+
22. Virginia
Previous rank: 23
Record: 24-8
Next game: at Notre Dame, Friday at 6 p.m. on ACC Network Extra
23. Ohio State
Previous rank: 25
Record: 25-6-1
24. Liberty
Previous rank: 22
Record: 27-6
Next game: vs. Longwood, Wednesday at 6 p.m.
25. Alabama
Previous rank: 24
Record: 22-12
Next game: at North Alabama, Wednesday at 7 p.m. on ESPN+
