Take a drive on Razorback Road by Baum Stadium, and there's one thing you instantly notice. Out in left field, rows of temporary bleachers are up on the grassy knoll, and when you need those in a stadium that can seat 10,000, you know the crowds are going to be out in full force in Fayetteville this weekend.

Given the four teams in this regional, the crowds should leave home with their money's worth.

Arkansas might've been given the #7 national seed by the NCAA, but they weren't given any favors when this regional was announced. The SEC West Champions are joined by the champions of the America East, who seek to make a name for themselves this weekend. Also coming to town is a team that finished third in a highly competitive Big 12, looking to overcome a six-game slide. Finally, we throw in the tournament champions of the Missouri Valley, who won their finale in a game that overflowed with drama, heart, and emotion.

Sound enticing enough for you?

Let's take a look at the teams that make this regional arguably one of the toughest in the tournament.

1) Arkansas Razorbacks
#7 National Seed
SEC Western Division Champions
Head Coach: Dave Van Horn (5th Season)
Record: 41-19 (18-12 SEC)
vs. MVC: 5-1
vs. Big 12: 3-0
vs. America East: 0-0
Last Ten Games: 5-5

Pitching: When you look at the teams with the best 1-2-3 rotations, you have to add Arkansas to that mix. LHP Nick Schmidt (10-3, 2.85) is a projected first round draft pick who has tremendous control. He'll remind most college baseball fans of Vanderbilt ace David Price, with the only difference being Price throws a tad bit harder. Schmidt was dominant in his last performance, and when he's on, he's unstoppable. If you think Schmidt's good, wait until you see RHP Jess Todd (9-2, 2.49 ERA). Todd is a bulldog of a pitcher who can really throw the ball hard (his slider has been clocked at 87 mph). Todd is a strikeout machine; he struck out 17 batters in his last outing, a 6-0 win over South Carolina, and for the season, he's struck out 124, while only walking 25. Both Schmidt and Todd were named second-team All-American, but it'll be RHP Duke Welker (6-5, 3.83 ERA) who'll get the start against Albany. Welker is no slouch either, giving up just one run in seven innings against S. Carolina, and expect his confidence to be sky high when he takes the mound.

The Razorback bullpen has been pretty inconsistent at times, but RHP Chris Rhoads (3-1, 3.75) was outstanding in relief against Vanderbilt, and RHP Travis Hill (3-2, 5.18 ERA, 3 saves) is coming around as a closer. Should the Hogs need a fourth starter, freshman LHP Dallas Keuchel (6-3, 5.40 ERA) should get the nod.

Offense: As long as Arkansas doesn't start playing Home Run Derby, the Razorbacks can be a very dangerous hitting team. It starts with 3B Logan Forsythe (.352, 8 HR, 50 RBI), who is the team's leading hitter and most consistent offensive player. Forsythe also leads the team in stolen bases (19), and slugging percentage (.552). With 22 home runs on the season (fourth in the nation), 1B Danny Hamblin (.280, 60 RBI) is far and away the team's best power hitter. Keep an eye on LF Casey Coon (.311, 9 HR) who leads the team with 70 RBIs.

Outlook: Outside of Fayetteville, the media is really putting a target on Arkansas as the team most likely to be upset. However, Arkansas is a mentally tough team that has found its way out of a late-season slump. They were tough in the SEC Tournament, and will be just as tough to beat at home. Should Welker handle Albany, Arkansas will have Todd and Schmidt for the next two games, and that'll be tough for any team to handle. If Arkansas can play the type of small ball that Dave Van Horn likes them to play, they'll be even tougher. It's baseball, so no one is unbeatable, but in this regional, the Razorbacks will be the team to beat.

2) Creighton Bluejays
Missouri Valley Tournament Champions
Head Coach: Ed Servais (4th Season)
Record: 44-14 (19-5 MVC)
vs. SEC: 0-0
vs. Big 12: 4-3
vs. America East: 0-0
Last Ten Games: 8-2

Pitching: Creighton features two pitchers who were third-team All-American this season. LHP Ben Mancuso (10-2, 2.28) has been as reliable a pitcher as you could ask for. Mancuso's control is outstanding; he has only walked 19 batters, hitting only two batters, and striking out 54. He's a ground ball pitcher, which plays advantage to the Jays excellent fielding percentage (.977). Their deadliest weapon is the ambidextrous LHP/RHP Pat Venditte (8-2, 1.83 ERA). Venditte, the MVC Tourney MVP, has given up one run in his last 45 innings pitched, and he'll be extremely difficult for any team he faces. You have to respect RHP Andy Masten as well. Masten, who's up for the Baseball Writers' Stopper of the Year Award, has 16 saves to go with a 4-3 record and 1.74 ERA. Also keep an eye out on RHP Zak Moore (5-1, 3.61 ERA) who was dominant in his last outing against Bradley.

Hitting: Creighton lacks a lot of power, but is a very solid offensive team. The MVC's most valuable player, 1B Darin Ruf (.377, 8 HR, 56 RBI) is a reliable hitter with great bat speed. C Chris Gradoville (.341, 5 HR, 56 RBI) is also a strong hitter who has great patience at the plate. Keep an eye on the Flying Hawaiian, 2B Michael Lam (.331, 16 RBI), who was on fire during the MVC Tournament, and on CF Robbie Knight (.268) who leads the team with 12 stolen bases. If you want power, look no further than SS Chad Ogden, who leads the team with eight homers, and hit some real tape measure shots down in Springfield last week.

Outlook: Should Arkansas stumble, Creighton will be there to pick up the pieces. What makes this team so strong is that they just don't make errors, something Ed Servais has preached since arriving in Omaha. To beat the Jays, you have to outhit, outplay, and outhustle them, and that's why it's been so hard for anyone to beat them of late. When you win 25 of your last 28, you're obviously doing something right. There are two things that can slow down the Bluejay attack. For one, Creighton doesn't steal many bases, so limiting them to base hits and making good relay throws can prevent runs from crossing home. Another thing that can stop Creighton though is a quality pitcher. That could be a problem for Oklahoma State, but Arkansas could give CU some problems. Basically, CU's plan should be similar to their MVC tournament plan. Avoid the top seed as long as you can, and the Jays have a good chance.

3) Oklahoma State Cowboys
Head Coach: Frank Anderson (4th Season)
Record: 38-19 (16-11 Big 12)
vs. SEC: 0-0
vs. MVC: 0-0
vs. America East: 3-1
Last Ten Games: 4-6

Pitching: The Cowboys have fallen on some tough times on the mound, allowing over eight runs in their last six outings. The pressure will definitely fall on the OSU hurlers, who have to really step it up, as eight runs against these teams will result in an early trip back to Stillwater. Hoping to stop the recent barrage against the Pokes will be RHP Jeff Breedlove (0-4, 4.63), RHP Oliver Odle (6-4, 4.54) and LHP Andrew Oliver (6-1. 5.18). The most reliable closer for the Cowboys is RHP Justin Friend (5-3, 2.54, 7 saves).

Offense: For what they lack in pitching, the Cowboys make up for on offense, batting an impressive .327 as a team. Leading the way is RF Corey Brown (.345, 19 HR, 65 RBI), 2B Tyler Mach (.410, 15 HR, 76 RBI) and 1B Rebel Rilding (.325, 11 HR, 62 RBI), who put new meaning to the cheer "Orange Power". Brown also has 21 stolen bases to lead the Cowboys. OSU's on-base percentage of .407 is impressive, and teams must be able to keep the bats at bay for a shot at being this team. The Cowboys were also walked 250 times this season, while only walking 150 batters.

Outlook: Can Oklahoma State win this regional? No question about it. However, all good teams go into slumps, and it's hard to bet on the Pokes when they're right smack in the middle of a winning drought. With the great pitching that awaits them from Creighton, and possibly Arkansas, OSU's bats figure to be quieted a little, meaning that they will have to win this regional with their weakest link: pitching. Don't count on the Cowboys to fold, and don't count them out of anything. However, if you're a betting man, OSU's chances aren't as good as the top two seeds to advance.

4) Albany Great Danes
America East Tournament Champions
Head Coach: Jon Mueller (8th Season)
Record: 29-27 (13-11 America East)
vs. SEC: 0-0
vs. MVC: 0-0
vs. Big 12: 0-0
Last Ten Games: 8-2

Pitching: Albany has just two shutouts this year, and their pitching staff has given up an average of five runs a game all season. That number must go down drastically to stay alive in Fayetteville. Albany does have a strong ace in RHP John Maples (8-2, 3.29 ERA). Naples is a finesse pitcher, only striking out 49 in 76.2 innings of work. However, opponents bat just .233 against him, which kept the Great Danes in a lot of games this year. The Danes have a solid closer in RHP Alexander Beaulieu (2-1, 2.19 ERA), who's collected 10 saves for UAlbany.

Offense: Albany is the only team in the regional whose batting average is worse than their opponents. The Danes average .284 as a team, and are led by 3B Steve Wyland (.379, 5 HR, 44 RBI). Wyland is the team's power hitter and true offensive spark. SS Sean Donovan (.325, 2 HR, 35 RBI) is the Tony Gwynn of the team, as he hits single after single for the Great Danes. If you have the need for speed, look no further than RF Leo Corvino, who has 11 stolen bases.

Outlook: This is Albany's first trip to the NCAA Baseball Tournament, and they should just really enjoy this experience. This is a team who's used to playing in crowds of around 100 fans, so as much as they deny it, I expect them to be a little awe-struck playing in front of more fans tomorrow night than have come to all of their home games combined this season. Besides Maples, Albany's pitching is lacking, and when opponents have an overall better batting average than the Great Danes, it spells a quick trip for UAlbany. Nevertheless, playing in Baum Stadium will be a moment that none of these players will ever forget, so they should soak it all in and enjoy it.

We'll have full coverage here from Arkansas, as CSTV will be here covering the regional online and on the air. The first game, featuring Creighton and Oklahoma State, is set to go at 2:30 pm, while Arkansas and Albany take to the field at 6:30 for the nightcap.

Stay tuned to all the CSTV and CSTV.com outlets as much as possible, because this will be a fun, exciting regional for everyone, and for those who haven't seen the atmosphere at Baum Stadium, believe me, you need to check it out. As OSU's Frank Anderson told the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette this week, it's "the best atmosphere in college baseball."

Should be a lot of fun...we'll see you in Fayetteville!