THE SIDELINES : Poll Ranks Trojan Nine No. 1

USC, which hasn’t qualified for the College World Series since its last championship in 1978, should return to the postseason competition this year, if Baseball America’s preseason baseball rankings are on target.

The publication ranks the Trojans No. 1 in a poll released Thursday. Last season, Southern Cal finished with a 41-25 record and the No. 18 ranking.

Ranked behind the Trojans in the preseason poll were Florida State, Texas, Stanford, Arizona State, Georgia Tech, defending national champion Wichita State, Illinois, Oklahoma State and Mississippi State.