Western Kentucky

Nearly half of Conference USA is made up of new teams this year, following some exits and entrances via realignment. Liberty is a title favorite immediately, but they’re not alone among teams that could take home a championship.

USF will be playing its first game outside of the state of Florida, and No. 1 Oklahoma meets No. 10 Texas in a WCWS rematch. That and more in What to Watch for Week 8.

Washington has Baylee Klinger’s back, which makes it tough to pitch around the All-American. Texas’ freshman class is on a historic pace. Aaliyah Jordan’s return inspires UCLA. That and more in What We Learned.

Charlotte registered Wednesday’s big win at Virginia Tech to boost its stock, but Central Arkansas is the most upwardly mobile mid-major after a perfect ASUN start.

North Texas returns a loaded roster from a regional finalist and has its eyes on more. But with the likes of Charlotte’s Bailey Vannoy around, Conference USA isn’t short on must-see talent.

Why is most of the country rooting for Liberty, Louisiana and UCF this week? It’s all about the bubble. In going beyond the Power 5, D1Softball’s Around the Nation hands out awards and looks at the ripple effects for the NCAA bracket from six key conference tournaments.