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playAnalyzing Oklahoma being named the overall No. 3 seed (3:07)Rally Cap's Haylie McCleney gives insight on how the Sooners will play with an edge in the NCAA tournament after the upset loss to Georgia in the SEC tournament. (3:07) A couple of record-breaking home run hitters. An all-time ace making her last postseason run. Most of the sport's blue-blood schools boasting loaded lineups. The 2026 NCAA softball tournament will not lack for star power or storylines. We're a couple of weeks away from the Women's College World Series, but the run-up is the best part. Who will trip up along the way, à la No. 1 seed Texas A&M falling to Liberty last season? Who will look like they're shifting into fifth gear just in time? How many home runs will Megan Grant and Kendall Wells be able to hit in a single weekend? Friday's the best, most chaotic softball day of the season, and the action continues all weekend. Here's what you need to know about the NCAA softball regionals. Jump to: Title favorites | Toughest regionals Great aces | Best hitters Games to watch There aren't many surprises atop the tournament's seedings list -- the top three seeds went to Southeastern Conference teams that have combined for nine of the past 13 national titles and 13 WCWS berths in the past six tournaments. But while the SEC certainly dominates with its depth, each of the four power conferences has at least one team that could go all the way. Here are the top 10 title favorites. Record vs. top 16 seeds: 12-6 Record over last month: 8-4 (+23 run differential) OU's four-year national title run finally came to an end last June as the Sooners fell at the hands of eventual finalists Texas and Texas Tech in the WCWS. But the dynasty isn't dead just yet. The Sooners have still made every WCWS since 2015 and every super regional since 2009, and while they don't have the absolute best pitching in this tournament -- and they're coming off of a one-and-done stay in the SEC tournament -- they're probably still the most well-rounded team in the nation. TruMediaOnly three teams enjoy an average run differential over plus-5.1 per game; Oklahoma is at plus-7.3 despite having played 18 games against teams seeded in this tournament. Sure, a lot of that came from absolutely torching lesser teams -- the Sooners outscored poor Alabama State by a combined 75 runs in a three-game sweep in February -- but they also beat Arizona by 18, Washington by 13, Ole Miss by 12 and No. 12 seed Duke by 10. When pitchers Audrey Lowry (21-3, 2.70 ERA) and Miali Guachino (14-2, 3.09) are on, the Sooners are untouchable. And when they're off, a batting lineup featuring eight regulars with an OPS (on-base percentage plus slugging percentage) over 1.000 -- including all-world freshman catcher Kendall Wells (36 home runs, 1.535 OPS) and right fielder Ella Parker (21 home runs, 1.476 OPS) -- will probably do enough damage to win comfortably anyway. Oklahoma is only the No. 3 seed because of a weak nonconference slate and a merely solid home stretch, but with these bats and the WCWS in their backyard, you pretty much have to start the favorites list with Patty Gasso's Sooners. Record vs. top 16 seeds: 2-1 Record over last month: 12-3 (+96 run differential) Despite an expensive and exciting roster and the presence of NiJaree Canady (22-5, 1.24 ERA), basically the face of softball over the past couple of seasons, Texas Tech was strangely low-profile this season. The Red Raiders played almost no one of note in nonconference play (noncon strength of schedule ranking: 172nd), and even their conference slate missed Oklahoma State, the No. 2 team in the Big 12. That earned them a pretty low seed, but they still rolled through most of the season, and thanks to Canady's dominance and the presence of a co-ace in UCLA transfer Kaitlyn Terry (22-1, 1.30 ERA), Canady kept the mileage off of her right arm, pitching 36 fewer regular-season innings than last year. A little rest could go a long way considering she's the ultimate power pitcher. Catch up to the rise ball if you can. TruMediaCanady hasn't been quite as sharp this year, relatively speaking -- her walk and home run rates are both up, though so is her strikeout rate (and opponents are batting only .142 against her). But her supporting cast is stronger, thanks not only to Terry (who also has 10 home runs and a 1.356 OPS) but also to a lineup that includes speedy center-fielder Mihyia Davis (34 stolen bases) and dynamite newcomers such as Florida transfer Mia Williams (22 home runs, 1.448 OPS) and Southern Illinois transfer Jackie Lis (17 home runs, 1.493 OPS). And besides, the season will be defined by what happens from here. Record vs. top 16 seeds: 10-10 Record over last month: 9-5 (+35 run differential) With players like Canady, Wells and UCLA's Megan Grant commanding the headlines, Texas has been able to almost keep its national title defense out of the spotlight. But Mike White's Longhorns tested themselves against a to

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