Jan. 31, 2017
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Fresh off the greatest season in program history, including a trip to the Women's College World Series Championship Series, the Auburn softball team will begin the 2017 campaign at No. 2, according to the USA Today/NFCA Division I Preseason Coaches Poll released Tuesday morning.
The Tigers' No. 2 ranking is their highest preseason mark ever and is the same position in which they closed the 2016 season.
The back-to-back SEC Tournament champions and WCWS participants have a loaded schedule this upcoming season. Auburn is set to face 10 opponents in the annual preseason poll, including three in the top five.
No. 2 Auburn tangles with No. 1 Oklahoma to kick off the 2017 season in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, Feb. 9. The battle between the highest ranked teams is set for 1 p.m. and can be seen on ESPNU. The Tigers then face off with No. 13 Washington later that evening at 7 p.m., which will be available on the WatchESPN app.
Auburn welcomes three ranked teams to Jane B. Moore Field as No. 14 James Madison (Feb. 25-26), No. 4 LSU (March 10-12) and No. 17 Missouri (April 14-16) are set to make their way to The Plains this season.
The Tigers will be battle-tested this season as they hit the road for tilts with No. 15 Tennessee (March 14), No. 25 USF (March 17), No. 4 Florida (March 25-27), No. 12 Georgia (March 31-April 2) and No. 7 Alabama (May 5-7).
Auburn opens the season across the border, but then entertains 21 consecutive home games beginning with SIU-Edwardsville, Feb. 16.USA Today/NFCA Division I Coaches Poll
| Rank | Team | Points | 2016 Record | 2016 Rk. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Oklahoma (32) | 800 | 57-8 | 1 |
| 2. | Auburn | 745 | 58-12 | 2 |
| 3. | Florida State | 683 | 55-10 | 4 |
| t4. | Florida | 671 | 56-7 | 8 |
| t4. | LSU | 671 | 52-18 | 3 |
| 6. | Michigan | 655 | 52-7 | 5 |
| 7. | Alabama | 633 | 51-14 | 6 |
| 8. | UCLA | 534 | 40-16-1 | 9 |
| 9. | Oregon | 484 | 48-10 | 10 |
| 10. | Arizona | 466 | 40-21 | 14 |
| 11. | Louisiana-Lafayette | 444 | 46-9 | 12 |
| 12. | Georgia | 435 | 46-20 | 7 |
| 13. | Washington | 430 | 39-15 | 13 |
| 14. | James Madison | 418 | 50-6 | 11 |
| 15. | Tennessee | 331 | 43-16 | 17 |
| 16. | Minnesota | 295 | 43-14 | 20 |
| 17. | Missouri | 271 | 42-16 | 15 |
| 18. | Utah | 266 | 36-21 | 16 |
| 19. | Texas A&M | 258 | 39-20 | 19 |
| 20. | Kentucky | 250 | 46-14 | 18 |
| 21. | Baylor | 171 | 45-14 | 21 |
| 22. | Notre Dame | 121 | 43-13 | 23 |
| 23. | Florida Atlantic | 87 | 51-9 | 24 |
| 24. | Fresno State | 65 | 42-12-1 | 22 |
| 25. | USF | 47 | 45-16 | 25 |