South Carolina, Florida Teams to Beat in College World Series

The 2011 College World Series bracket now only has six teams listed after Tuesday's scores. But only two of these schools are in the semifinal bracket, and only need one more win to reach the finals. But while South Carolina and Florida can rest easy for the next two days, California, Virginia, North Carolina and Vanderbilt must sweat out elimination games and hope they don't end up like Texas A&M and Texas.

The Gamecocks and Gators put themselves on track for an all-SEC final after Florida finally finished off Vanderbilt 3-1, while South Carolina knocked off top-seeded Virginia by 7-1. Although the Gators had to wait an extra day to beat the Commodores, due to a rain delay Monday night, Florida didn't lose a beat.

Meanwhile, South Carolina certainly hasn't lost its edge in Omaha, as the defending champs are picking off right where they left off. But the Gamecocks' road through the bracket in 2011 has been much easier than it was in 2010, when the team had to survive several consecutive elimination games. This time, the Gamecocks are undefeated, and can afford to lose one of their next two games.

Yet while South Carolina and Florida have been the class of the College World Series so far, there are still several contenders left in the running. Vanderbilt will try to come back on short rest against North Carolina Wednesday in hopes of getting a rematch with Florida. All the Gators needed was a three-run homer Monday to beat the Commodores, so perhaps a rematch could turn on just one pitch as well.

As for the Cavaliers, the tournament's top seed gets to face a Golden Bears team it already beat Sunday. However, Cal has been living a Cinderella story in its road to Omaha, and perhaps it isn't ready to end with two defeats to Virginia. The Golden Bears' 7-3 win over the Aggies to stay alive proved that Cal still has life left.

No team left is realistically out of contention, although it might take a lot to knock off South Carolina and Florida twice in a row. The Gamecocks have the championship experience, while the Gators have rolled past the Longhorns and Commodores already this week. What's more, both schools have two days rest while the rest of the field beats itself up -- although the rust could always backfire.

Except for California, no team in Omaha is a massive underdog or a massive favorite. But with South Carolina and Florida already halfway through the bracket, the series already has the closest things to frontrunners so far.

While they need one win to reach the finals, Cal, Virginia, Vanderbilt and North Carolina need three in a row. But it all starts with getting one win, and the Commodores and Tar Heels will try to get the ball rolling Wednesday.

Sources

Yahoo Sports- "2011 College World Series results, schedule"