COLLEGE WORLD SERIES

The College World Series is set to open play today at the new TD Ameritrade Park. This is after 61 years at Rosenblatt Stadium. The $131 million dollar stadium is bound to bring out the nerves in many of the players.

There will be first timers like Vanderbilt and a California team that hasn't been to the College World Series in over 10 years.

There will also be quite a bit of experience in Omaha as well. The defending champions South Carolina Gamecocks will be there and 34 time qualifier of the College World Series the
University of Texas will be there too.

Today Texas ace Taylor Jungmann, 13-2 with a 1.38 era, will take the mound against a Florida team that leads the nation in home runs, 67.

The Longhorns are built on pitching and defense. Their offense is one that just finds a way to score a run or  two and then lets the pitching and defense take over from there. The Longhorns are batting .272 and have hit only 17 home runs in 66 games so far.

Florida should feel comfortable in the new TD Ameritrade Stadium. It has the same dimensions as Rosenblatt Stadium and is very similar to to the stadium where the Southeastern Conference tournament is held in Alabama.

Look for Florida to play small ball alittle more in the series against Texas. Florida coach Kevin O'Sullivan said his team will bunt a bit more and also use the hit and run a bit more against Texas.

Texas will have to find ways to score against Florida. Florida's offense could explode against Texas if the Longhorns pitching staff is not on point. Florida has players with more home runs then the entire Longhorn team put together.

Some notes on other teams in the College World Series.

Cal's appearance in this years College World Series is quite magically really. The program was on the brink  of being cut all together at the beginning of the season. With the help of a 9 million dollar fundraising event the Bears made it to the CWS, the first time since 1992.

Virgina had to survive a super regional against a UC Irvine team. The Cavaliers had to rally in the ninth inning with two outs to advance to the CWS. Virginia is looking to be the first No.1 national seed to win the College World Series since Miami in 1999.

Then there is Texas A&M, which was the only road team to win a super regional beating Florida St. in three games. Texas A&M is without their ace pitcher John Stilson, who tore his labrum just prior to the NCAA tournament starting.

Then of course there is defending champion South Carolina. They were the first team to win six straight games in a single College World Series. They will be looking to Michael Roth, 13-3 with a 1.02 era, to provide some of the magic he had last year.

That is just a quick look at some of the teams. We will keep you up to date with all the games and who looks like a front runner to win the 2011 College World Series.

Tell us what you think about the teams in the field and who you think will end up being College World Series Champions in 2011?