| Rank | Team | Comments | Prior | |
| 1 |  | Arizona State | The Sun Devils look to repeat with a WCWS championship in 2012. It won't be easy, but this team can make it happen. | |
| 2 |  | Arizona | Not making the WCWS last season caused coach Candrea to shake up the roster. Expect good things this season. | |
| 3 |  | UCLA | Perennial powerhouse missed the WCWS in 2011. This experienced team will be ready for a Pac-12 and tourney run. | |
| 4 |  | Florida | Another runner-up finish last season. Gators still have power and experience. They can book a return trip to OKC. | |
| 5 |  | Michigan | Michigan, 4 time defending Big 10 champs, play a tough schedule to get ready for a postseason they'll surely reach. | |
| 6 |  | California | With Henderson's return, Cal will be tough competition for the Pac-12. A trip back to WCWS is probable. | |
| 7 |  | Tennessee | This is an extremely talented team, that under achieved in 2011. Will battle UF and Bama for SEC Championship. | |
| 8 |  | Alabama | 2011 SEC Champions will fight with UT and UF to repeat. Expect The Tide to make it to the show in June. | |
| 9 |  | Oklahoma | The Sooners should be near the top of the Big 12. Ricketts could take them just north to OKC for a 2nd straight year. | |
| 10 |  | Stanford | USA National Player of the Year Ashley Hansen returns. Look for team's 14 consecutive year NCAA run to continue. | |
| 11 |  | Texas | Longhorns should again be in hunt for Big 12 title. Need find a way through their late season swoons to reach OKC. | |
| 12 |  | Washington | Huskies will work to find its identity early against some top teams. Tarr's team is young but is deep in pitching. | |
| 13 |  | Georgia | Need to replace last year's talented senior class. Will be challenge to overcome UF, Tenn and Bama for SEC crown. | |
| 14 |  | Nebraska | NU returns eight starters from a 41 win team that reached a Regional Final. They will battle for Big 10 with UM. | |
| 15 |  | Texas A&M | Pitching returns and defense returns. Will compete for Big 12 title and go deep in the NCAA Tournament. | |
| 16 |  | Oregon | Two Super Regionals in a row for the Ducks. A tough Pac-12 schedule will get them ready for a deep tourney run. | |
| 17 |  | Baylor | The Bears finished 4th at their 2nd WCWS appearance. They return seven starters and 2011 USA Team LHP Canion. | |
| 18 |  | Georgia Tech | Looking for another regular season ACC title and NCCA berth. Coach Perkins looks for Hope to lead the way. | |
| 19 |  | Northwestern | Look for a bounce back season. A rare tournament absence in 2011, the Wildcats are ready to compete in the Big 10. | |
| 20 |  | Houston | Reached program's 2nd Super Regional. If Cougars can replace Crabtree in circle, UH can compete for CUSA crown. | |
| 21 |  | LSU | LSU has a new coaching staff and outstanding pitching. Need offensive improvement to overtake SEC powers. | |
| 22 |  | Fresno State | The only program to qualify for all 30 NCAA Tournaments. High hopes as the Bulldogs expect to win the WAC. | |
| 23 |  | San Diego State | Third in Mountain West in 2011, the Aztecs should benefit from BYU's move to the WAC. MWC title hopefuls. | |
| 24 |  | Tulsa | One game from a Super Regional, last year's C-USA regular season champs should battle UH for conference title. | |
| 25 |  | North Carolina | UNC looks to return to the tourney after a rare absence in 2011. Should battle Ga. Tech and FSU for ACC title. | |
Softball Preseason Top 25
Wed, 01/18/2012
