Top-25 volleyball matchups that could shake up the playoff picture

The GIST: The midseason top 16 — which gives teams an idea of the current playoff picture — was released last weekend, but the playoffs are still over a month away, meaning ​teams still have plenty of time to change their destiny. This weekend isn’t a bad place to start.

No. 18 TCU (14-4) vs. No. 23 Baylor (12-6) — Tonight at 6 p.m. ET — ESPN+: Baylor will be looking to avenge an early-season loss to the Horned Frogs and make a case for entering. the top-16. But they’ll have to contend with TCU’s Melanie Parra, who recorded 25 kills and two aces to lead the Horned Frogs to a 3-1 victory earlier in October.

No. 1 Pitt (17-1) vs. No. 4 Louisville (16-2) — Tonight at 7 p.m. ET — ACCNX: These conference foes have a whole lot of history, including last season’s playoff battle that sent Pitt to the Final Four. It’s also a matchup between two of the country’s best blockers in Louisville's Cara Cresse and Pitt’s Bre Kelley.

No. 8 Wisconsin (13-4) vs. No. 10 Purdue (16-4) — Tomorrow at 3:30 p.m. ET — NBC: A top-10 showdown featuring two teams projected to make the postseason and a chance to see the reigning Player of the Year in Wisconsin’s Sarah Franklin? Say less. Plus, it’s always a killer matchup when the Badgers and the Boilermakers — neither team has recorded a sweep against the other since 2018.

• If that’s not enough to spike your interest, the Panthers will be looking to make a statement after being handed the No. 2 spot in the aforementioned top-16 ranking, despite their top-billing in the AP Top 25 poll. Drama.