The non-conference games early in the season are what differentiates the teams that make the NCAA Tournament and which programs host regionals. For the Pac-12 baseball clubs, these are the top matchups that can boost their rsum to be those teams on the Road to Omaha.

Arizona vs. No. 2 Tennessee (Feb. 17 in Scottsdale, Ariz.)

The Wildcats open the season with quite the test against the second-ranked Vols at Salt River Fields, the spring training home of the Arizona Diamondbacks and Colorado Rockies. The Wildcats' lineup will be without its best hitter from last season after Daniel Susac was selected in the first round of the MLB Draft. Itll certainly be a tough task with that alone, but Arizona will likely face reigning SEC Pitcher of the Year and MLB.coms No. 2 overall draft prospect Chase Dollander on opening day. Chase Davis will likely spearhead the Wildcat offense after off a .997 OPS season with 18 home runs and 13 doubles. Nevertheless, Arizona could make a statement for the conference on opening day against last seasons top overall seed in the NCAA Tournament. Catch this game on MLB Network.

Arizona State at Mississippi State (Feb. 24-26)

The Sun Devils will make the cross country trek to Starkville and one of college baseballs toughest environments. Arizona State struggled on the road last season, going 6-17 in Willie Bloomquist s first season at the helm. This seasons roster looks much different with the additions of Luke Keaschall , Nick McLain , Ross Dunn and plenty of others. Regardless of the results, the experience for the new-look Sun Devils will be a boost for Arizona State before heading into conference play.

California vs. UConn (Feb. 25-26)

The Huskies nearly reached the Men's College World Series last season after giving Stanford a battle in the Super Regional. UConn lost its three primary starters on the rubber from a year ago but retooled through the transfer portal and brought back veterans in the lineup. Cal is looking to get over the hump and back into the postseason after winning 29 games each of the last two seasons. The Bears have plenty of talent especially from their sophomore class headlined by Caleb Lomavita , Carson Crawford and Rodney Green Jr. For Cal to earn a spot in the NCAA Tournament, itll need marque rsum wins and one against UConn would qualify as such.

No. 25 Oregon vs. UC Santa Barbara (Feb. 24-26 in Goleta, Calif.)

The Ducks return a large portion of their lineup including Drew Cowley, Tanner Smith, Jacob Walsh and Colby Shade . Those four combined for 60 doubles and 25 home runs last season. Theyll be put to the test against UC Santa Barbara. The Gauchos have won 40-plus games the last three full seasons. Under head coach and Oregon State alum Andrew Checketts, UCSB tends to always have a deep pitching staff. Lefty Mike Gutierrez and righty Matt Ager will give the Oregon bats a challenge.

No. 23 Oregon State vs. Gonzaga (April 10-11)

These two programs met four times last season with the Beavers taking three games. However, each team will look different this season after each lost its best hitter and pitcher (Oregon States Cooper Hjerpe and Jacob Melton, Gonzagas Gabriel Hughes and Tyler Rando) from last season. Oregon State and Gonzaga have plenty of talent still, both as returners and newcomers. Second baseman Travis Bazzana will look to take another step forward after a stellar freshman season and Beaver fans will want to get to know Gavin Turley , who appears to be a five-tool player as a freshman.

No. 3 Stanford at Oklahoma (Mar. 30-April 2)

The Pac-12's top-ranked school heads to Norman to face the reigning national runner-ups for a four-game set midway through the season. Oklahoma lost a good chunk of its talent but should still be competing for the Big 12 crown with Kendall Pettis, John Spikerman, Wallace Clark, and Jackson Nicklaus back. The Cardinal are trying to get back to Omaha for the third straight season. It is certainly possible for Stanford with the likes of juniors Tommy Troy, Carter Graham and Drew Bowser as well as sophomore outfielder Braden Montgomery returning . Stanford taking a trip late in the season can potentially help the Cardinal if it reaches a third straight Men's College World Series.

No. 15 UCLA at No. 9 Vanderbilt (Feb.24-26)

This is as close to a Super Regional matchup as youll get in February. The Bruins head to Hawkins Field to face No. 9 Vanderbilt. UCLA is looking for its first Men's College World Series bid since winning the national championship back in 2013. The Bruins appear to have the starting rotation that can help get them there. J a ke Brooks, Alonzo Tredwell , Ethan Flanagan are joined by talented freshman lefty Ben Jacobs . Vanderbilt has a similar look from its staff, setting up to be a very good series early in the season.

USC vs. Auburn (Feb. 24-26)

First-year head coach Andy Stankiewicz will welcome Auburn, fresh off a Men's College World Series appearance, to Dedeaux Field in his second series. Stankiewicz has work ahead of him to rebuild the Trojan roster but a series win against Auburn, which lost over 10 of its major contributors from 2022, would be an excellent start to his tenure. The Trojans will rely heavily on transfers such as Blake Sodersten, Ryan Jackson and Caden Aoki to soak up most of the innings. Stankiewicz did a tremendous job at Grand Canyon University and theres no reason to think USC can't surprise some people with him at the helm.

Utah vs. Houston (Feb. 24 in Corpus Christi, Texas)

The Utes are looking for their first postseason appearance since 2016 when they won the Pac-12 Conference. Utah looked primed to break that streak last season after starting the year 25-15-1, but ultimately missed out. Gary Hendersons lineup will have TJ Clackson, Kai Roberts and Landon Frei back. For Utah to accomplish its goal of a winning season and making the postseason, itll need to beat a team like Houston. The Cougars were on the wrong side of the bubble last year after winning 37 games in 2022. Houston has a majority of its roster and identity back, making it a formidable foe.

Washington at San Jose State (Feb. 24-26)

New head coach Jason Kelly returned to Seattle after Lindsay Meggs retired Kelly spent the 2013 through 2019 seasons as the Huskies' pitching coach under Meggs with his sights set on helping the Huskies return to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since they went to Omaha in 2018. To get that ball rolling, UW will face a really good San Jose State club. Head coach Brad Sanfilippo got the Spartans from six wins in 2021 to 30 in 2022. San Jose State returns over 75 percent of its at-bats including Robert Hamchuk, Hunter Dorraugh and Charles McAdoo, who all had an OPS over .980 last year. Kelly will need to have his staff ready for the strong offense.

Washington State vs. UC Irvine (Feb. 24 in San Diego)

Brian Green and the Cougars are looking to build off back-to-back winning seasons. Starting off the Tony Gwynn Classic would certainly fit that goal. UC Irvine will be Washington States first test in San Diego. Outfielder Caden Kendle leads the Anteaters offense after a breakout campaign last year. The Cougars can line up their staff to have ace Grant Taylor face UC Irvine, which went 32-24 last season. A quick start to the season would mean a lot for Washington States aspirations.