On Sunday night, with my eyes glued to the TV watching the epic elimination game between Texas Tech and UCLA in the Women’s College World Series (WCWS), my dear wife gently reminded me why I don’t bet on sports.

Nothing is a sure thing.

At least that’s how the 2026 NCAA Division I softball tournament has played out over the past few weeks, filled with plenty of intense “are you kidding me!” moments. Shaking my head and smiling in awe of the unpredictability of this year’s postseason, I turned to my wife and said, “Just when you think you know who’s going to win, someone does something amazing to flip the script.”

Yet, here we are, on the cusp of the championship series, and it’s a rematch of last year’s showdown between Texas, the reigning national champion, and Texas Tech, not only primed for revenge, but hoping to secure the program’s first title. Game 1 is set for Wednesday at 7 p.m. Eastern on ESPN.

It’s the championship series you predicted, right?

Well, if you did, and you decided to bet a few bucks on who would be in the WCWS title tilt, you’re likely swimming in a large pool of shiny coins right now, like Scrooge McDuck.

While this wasn’t thefinal I saw coming, it does feel right. Championship rematches are always intriguing. And who wouldn’t want another layer of drama added to a WCWS already overflowing with high-stakes madness – walk-off homers, questionable plays, dominant pitching, tense final at-bats and even controversy at the postgame handshake line.

As an avid WCWS viewer for more than a decade, this year’s contest must be the wildest, most unpredictable tournament I’ve seen. Trying to pick a winner? Pfft. I’ve flip-flopped more than a greedy politician desperate for votes.

Coming into the WCWS, I really liked Nebraska. The Cornhuskers, led by Jordy Frahm, the ultimate dual threat, were the hottest team in the land. They seemingly rolled through the Big Ten Tournament, Regionals and Super Regionals to return to Oklahoma City for the first time since 2013.

Frahm announced she had been pitching while three months pregnant this postseason, making a stunning performance even more amazing.

Fast forward to last Sunday and once again I’m mesmerized watching Frahm mow down a potent Texas lineup. The senior pitcher held the Longhorns hitless through 5 1/3 innings, bolstered by a one-run lead by her design – Frahm smashed a leadoff home run in the first inning. But in the blink of an eye, Nebraska’s slim margin evaporated. Texas slugger Katie Stewart blasted a three-run 250-foot laser into the muggy OKC air, sending the Longhorns onto the semifinals and Frahm wiping away tears in the dugout.

Nebraska out.

But what about UCLA? The “Bruin Bombers,” led by the lethal 1-2 punch of Megan Grant and Jordan Woolery and the duo’s 78-combined dingers,felt like the squad you could never count out. Just when you thought their magical run was over, BAM, Grant, Woolery or nearly every other member of UCLA’s powerful lineup would capture the lead with a timely homer. That was certainly the case on Sunday

when Woolery’s two-run bomb in the bottom of the seventh inning tied Texas Tech 6-6, sending the contest into extra innings. But Red Raider coach Gerry Glasco’s decision to play musical chairs with pitchers NiJaree Canady and Kaitlyn Terry somehow worked and his team escaped with a thrilling 8-7, nine-inning victory.

UCLA out.

OK, so maybe Tennessee? After all, the Lady Vols were armed with Karlyn Pickens, the fireballer with the fastest recorded pitch in college softball history (79.4 miles per hour). All Tennessee had todo was beat Texas once on Monday to advance to the WCWS for the first time in more than a decade. Easier said than done. The Longhorns just happen to have an even more impressive ace than Pickens – Teagan Kavan. And the senior was brilliant during Monday’s elimination game, tossing a 4-0 shutout as the Tennessee bats wilted in the stifling Oklahoma heat.

Kavan reins as WCWS MVP, and seeks to build on her experience.

“We just want another day with each other,” Kavan told ESPN’s Holly Rowe following her fifth-career WCWS shutout. “We fought all year; we’re going to fight here until we get it.”

“It” could be back-to-back titles for the Longhorns.

Like so many moments in this WCWS, I was torn. On one hand, I yearned to see the all-time great battery of Kavan and senior catcher Reese Atwood (my favorite player), get a shot at one more series. One more opportunity to win it all.

On the other hand, I felt a twinge of sadness watching Pickens, the top selection in this year’s Athletes Unlimited Softball League draft, leave the field dejected. A decorated career falls painfully short of the biggest stage.

Speaking of the grand finale, what better way to end a fantastic season than with an interstate duel for the national championship. And when it comes down to it, my heart keeps leading me back to Austin over Lubbock. I believe experience matters. While Texas Tech did reach the final a year ago, Texas is returning for a third-straight appearance. The Longhorns have a rare opportunity to cement their dynasty.

Prediction: Texas takes it in three games.

A sure bet? No, more like a gut feeling. If this postseason has proven anything, it’s that there are no sure bets in sports.

As usual, my wife is right.