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It is hard to fuss too much when Tulane holds the top spot in three of the four national college baseball polls. But more often than not, success leads to obsessiveness- and I am obsessing over the under-used Billy Mohl and the over-used Micah Owings.

I am increasingly convinced Tulane is simply asking too much from Owings. First, he was clearly pressing early in the season. He's never looked comfortable and confident for a long stretch. It is like playing baseball is a chore right now- rather than fun. And I wonder if that is because he's asked to do everything- or at least an awful lot- every week, every game.

It makes it so hard for Owings to have a great week- build that confidence. Over four games, each and every week, Tulane asks this guy to collect a pair of hits each game, provide power, plus pitch seven plus very good innings as a weekend starter. It is almost impossible to do that four times each week. At that standard, Owings is almost always going to have a semi-disappointing game every four times out. Which I think is a big part of why it always looks like he's pressing- because Tulane is almost asking him to press: perform, perform, perform.

Maybe it is the best he can do. But the one approach that Tulane has categorically not tried is to ask him to do a little less- and see if that spurs his game some more. Sometimes I just look at him and I think no one in America would be better served with a day off, or a week of just DH-ing, or dropped a few spots in the order (at least when he is pitching), or to pitch him mid-week a few times.

Now, C-USA Pitcher of the Week Billy Mohl has to be wondering who he has to kill to get a sustained chance this year. I have been screaming for more Mohl since the second week of the season. Every time he pitches, he gets nine outs- if not most of a no-hitter.

Tulane is littered with solid, but definitely not "elite" Division I starting pitching- a box I imagine Mohl would probably fall into as well- so I am not so eager to see them move him from the 'pen. Just pitch him more.

This season has ruthlessly taught that if your rotation is littered with non-elite arms, then at least one game a weekend, Tulane needs lots of relief pitching. Mohl has undoubtedly provided bunches of quality relief pitching for a team who cries out for it at times. I am content to leave him where he is. But you gotta think, in big tournament spots, every starter will have a short leash.