LSU claimed the national title Monday night with a win over Florida in Game 3 of the championship series. Game 1: LSU 4, Florida 3, final Game 2: Florida 24, LSU 4, final Game 3: LSU 18, Florida 4, final Required reading: LSU takes Game 1 Florida takes Game 2 LSU takes Game 3 (Photo: USA Today)

Mitch Sherman and more

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Joe Burrow in the house

With LSU in the finals, Omaha has traded Peyton Manning, who was here to support Tennessee early in the CWS, for Joe Burrow, the Cincinnati Bengals QB who won a national championship and the Heisman Trophy with the Tigers in 2019.

Burrow watched his team squander a bases-loaded situation with one out in the top of the second inning as Florida third baseman Colby Halter snared a line drive by Tommy White and Brandon Sproat struck out Tre’ Morgan.

The Tigers still lead 1-0.

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Strong start for Tigers

LSU designated Cade Beloso delivered a three-run homer Wednesday to ignite LSU and force a do-or-die game that the Tigers won the reach the championship series. And Beloso drove in the first run Saturday with a two-out single to left field against Florida’s Brandon Sproat. Dylan Crews, hit by a pitch to open the game, scored the run.

The Tigers lead 1-0 with right-hander Ty Floyd on to the mound to start.

Championship atmosphere

Omaha is ready for LSU- Florida. Charged atmosphere, 90 degrees, sun-bathed and a breeze blowing out to center field.

It's game time

Two teams. Two wins for a title.

Road to the final: LSU

A look back at LSU's road to the championship series.

Road to the final: Florida

A look back at Florida's road to the championship series.

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The final is here

Gators and Tigers. Game 1 for the championship.

Player to watch

Josh Rivera. The Florida shortstop entered the Gators' matchup against TCU already having hit more homers in a single season than any shortstop in program history. He hit another against the Horned Frogs, his 19th for the year. After going 0-for-4 in the opening game against Virginia, he is now 4-for-8 in his past two games with two homers, three RBIs and a double.

(Photo: USA Today)

What to expect from the championship series

This should be so much fun. We've got two SEC powerhouses with colossal expectations, going at it in a rematch of the 2017 College World Series that delivered Florida its first national title. The Tigers and Gators didn't play one another this season, despite being in the same conference, which adds an intriguing new wrinkle. Florida is in a better position from a depth standpoint with its pitching staff, but LSU has the best hitter in baseball in Dylan Crews. Buckle up.

Player to watch

Although I’d like to give it to the Jell-O shot bartenders at Rocco’s, I’ll keep it to baseball. I think we’ll see LSU outfielder Dylan Crews and his mullet cross home a few times to win the award and hand the title to the Tigers.

(Photo: USA Today)

What to expect from the championship series

Is it possible for the championship series to exceed the drama of the LSU-Wake Forest finale? If so, then this best-of-three will be an all-timer. There was nothing like the pitching duel between LSU's Paul Skenes and Wake Forest's Rhett Lowder followed by the extra-inning home run from Tommy White. But Florida-LSU has the potential to match it. In fact, they’ll probably exceed it.

(Photo: USA Today)

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Player to watch

As he has been all season, LSU outfielder Dylan Crews will be the player to watch in this championship series. The top MLB prospect hit a .423 average this season but is just 6-for-20 this CWS. With the Gators’ pitching rotation seemingly rested and ready, LSU will need to tune in to its power at the plate. Could Crews be the one to kickstart it?

(Photo: USA Today)

What to expect from the championship series

Florida has the upper hand after safely locking its spot in the championship series in three games, but the Gators will need more than a fully rested roster if they want to win their second title. LSU's back-to-back gritty wins over top-ranked Wake Forest are difficult to ignore. I’ll take a three-game series with LSU winning Monday night.

(Photo: USA Today)

Player to watch

LSU first baseman Tre' Morgan snapped an eight-game hitting streak in the clinching win over Wake Forest, but he did turn in one of the clutch defensive plays of the year to save a run. His competitive fire plays beautifully on college baseball's biggest stage and should help the Tigers dogpile in Omaha for the seventh time.

What to expect from the championship series

We just saw two low-scoring nail-biters send Florida and LSU to the championship series, but I would buckle up for some offense in this best-of-three. Pitching staff fatigue often plays a big role toward the end of this grueling tournament, and both these teams average at least two home runs per game.

They may not have crossed paths during SEC play this year, but these programs are plenty familiar with each other, and I expect LSU to avenge its 2017 loss on this same stage.

(Photo: USA Today)

2023 College World Series finals expert picks, TV schedule

The 2023 College World Series final series is set for an all-SEC matchup between the Florida Gators and LSU Tigers. These two teams might play in the same conference, but this is the first time they’ll play each other this season.

BetMGM makes neither team the favorite in this best-of-three series that starts Saturday night at Chares Schwab Field in Omaha. Both Florida and LSU are -110 to win the national championship. The Gators (-125) are a slight favorite in Game 1.

Read more here.

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Player to watch?

LSU first baseman Tre’ Morgan. He doesn’t possess the offensive numbers of Tommy White and Dylan Crews, but there’s no player more important to the Tigers than the junior lefty. His will to win is off the charts, according to LSU coach Jay Johnson. Thursday night against Wake Forest marked Morgan’s first hitless game at the CWS. And he made the defensive play of the tournament with a burst to field a bunt in the eighth inning and cut down a run at the plate. Multi-faceted with nine homers and 50 RBIs, Morgan will find a way to make a major impact.

What to expect from the championship series?

More great baseball. The past week in Omaha has delivered several classics — none better than LSU’s 2-0 walk-off winner in the 11th inning to beat Wake Forest. Florida and LSU have not played this season. Look for pitching and power as the keys to victory. The Gators have hit seven homers in three games at the CWS; the Tigers have five in five games. Florida’s arms are set up better, led by Brandon Sproat, who has had a week off ahead Saturday. Despite its compromised position, take LSU in three. The Tigers’ star power will shine through.

(Photo: USA Today)

Player to watch

Florida shortstop Josh Rivera has been on fire in Omaha. The All-American has four hits (including two home runs) and three RBIs in Florida's past two games and is equally strong on defense. If Florida's to complete its championship run, it needs Rivera to continue operating at a high level. He's staking his claim as the best shortstop in America, and a standout performance in the World Series Final could remove all doubt.

(Photo: USA Today)

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