New No. 1 just in time for conference tournaments

— -- Welcome to the dog days of the college baseball season, as injuries pile up and psyches get worn down. This is where championships are won, as those who grind it out push their way to the NCAA tournament. Yes, there is actually something to the old adage of only the strong survive.

All this bunching up of SEC and ACC teams at the top of the polls and rankings has made for some monster matchups. This past weekend saw Vanderbilt and Texas A&M make for great theater. And once-left-for-dead Clemson pulled out another big-time series win on the road to its recovery, this time over NC State.

Let's see how all this carnage translated in the power rankings for this week.

1. Louisville (46-10, 22-8 ACC)

Trending:

Last week: 2

Of note: The Cardinals have spent the last two weeks being bullies, sweeping the teams currently ranked No. 7 (NC State) and No. 26 (Wake Forest) in the RPI. Stout.

2. Florida (44-11, 19-10 SEC)

Trending:

Last week: 1

3. Miami (41-10, 21-7 ACC)

Trending:

Last week: 3

Of note: Since going 1-2 in a weekend at Virginia in April, the Hurricanes are on a 13-2 spree and finished as the No. 1 seed for the upcoming ACC tournament.

4. Texas Tech (40-14, 19-5 Big 12)

Trending:

Last week: 6

Of note: Another hot team to keep an eye on, the Red Raiders are on a 9-2 run and will be the No. 1 seed in the Big 12 tournament for the first time since 1997.

5. Texas A&M (41-13, 20-10 SEC)

Trending:

Last week: 5

Of note: The Aggies have gone 4-3 since the last power rankings were released, but that includes series wins over South Carolina and Ole Miss, who are fifth and sixth, respectively, in the current RPI.

6. Mississippi State (40-14-1, 21-9 SEC)

Trending:

Last week: 8

Of note: Although they are listed below Florida and Texas A&M here, the Bulldogs won their first SEC regular season championship since 1989, when coach John Cohen was in the starting lineup.

7. South Carolina (42-13, 20-9 SEC)

Trending:

Last week: 11

Of note: Looks like a rainout versus Florida caused the Gamecocks to finish a half-game behind Mississippi State for the SEC crown, but a national seed is still likely.

8. LSU (39-17, 19-11 SEC)

Trending:

Last week: 13

Of note: The Tigers have gone 8-1 in the past two weeks including two wins at Notre Dame, a sweep at Tennessee and a series win over then-No. 1 Florida. Got an encore this week?

9. TCU (38-14, 15-9 Big 12)

Trending:

Last week: 7

Of note: The last four opponents for the Horned Frogs have all had double-digit RPI rankings, so they've dropped a bit and now will have to sweat out a home regional selection.

10. Coastal Carolina (40-15, 21-3 Big South)

Trending:

Last week: 14

Of note: Two of the more intimidating sticks in the country are CCU's Connor Owings (12th nationally with a .405 average and 21st in homers with 15) and Zach Remillard (.344 average and 17th nationally with 16 homers).

11. Vanderbilt (41-15, 18-12 SEC)

Trending:

Last week: 10

Of note: Coach Tim Corbin always has liked having a solid running game. VU is third in the SEC with 84 stolen bases. This past weekend the Commodores pulled off a triple steal versus Auburn.

12. Virginia (36-18, 19-11 ACC)

Trending:

Last week: NR

Of note: The Cavaliers have hopes for a home regional and are playing their best ball of the season, on a 12-2 stretch that includes series wins over Miami and Georgia Tech.

13. Florida Atlantic (37-15, 21-8 Conference USA)

Trending:

Last week: NR

Of note: Man, what a whirlwind finish for the Owls. They swept Western Kentucky and finished in first place in a strong C-USA.

14. Louisiana Lafayette (37-19, 21-9 Sun Belt)

Trending:

Last week: NR

Of note: The Cajuns' nonconference slate is ranked No. 1 nationally. They also don't beat themselves, as they are 19th in ERA at 3.18 and ninth in walks allowed per nine innings at 2.60.

15. NC State (34-18, 15-13 ACC)

Trending:

Last week: 12

Of note: The Pack are ranked No. 7 in the RPI despite a 3-7 finish to the regular season. They did beat North Carolina two of three this past weekend, which is vitally important to the fan base.

16. Tulane (37-17, 15-7 American)

Trending:

Last week: NR

Of note: On a 16-5 streak since April 16, the Greenies have now hoisted their first conference title trophy since 2005. They also lead the nation with 12 shutouts.

17. Oklahoma State (35-18, 16-8 Big 12)

Trending:

Last week: 17

Of note: The Cowboys are a team of extremes, tied atop the Big 12 with TCU with a 3.19 team ERA, yet hitting a Big 12-worst .259. It does help that ace Thomas Hatch leads the loop in ERA at 2.10.

18. Clemson (38-18, 16-14 ACC)

Trending:

Last week: 19

Of note: Giving up just four runs in three wins at Notre Dame over the weekend, the Tigers displayed how they have become a force on the mound. Maybe that's good since Seth Beer has cooled down to .378 at the dish.

19. Ole Miss (40-16, 18-12 SEC)

Trending:

Last week: 15

Of note: This past weekend's series loss at Texas A&M snapped a four-week win streak in SEC play. With an RPI at No. 6, the Rebels still hold out hope of a national seed.

20. Florida State (34-19, 16-10 ACC)

Trending:

Last week: 4

Of note: Other than a weekend sweep of Bowling Green, the Seminoles are just 3-7 this month and find themselves on the outside looking in on a No. 1 seed for the Big Dance.