2017 NCAA DI Men’s Outdoor Team Rankings – Preseason

NOTE: Only USTFCCCA member programs are eligible for rankings. Please check your membership status HERE.

NEW ORLEANS – Repeat team champions have been somewhat of the norm in NCAA Division I Men’s Outdoor Track & Field since 2009 – and quite a bit before that, but we’ll use the last eight years as a benchmark for safe keeping.

Texas A&M won three in a row from 2009 to 2011, then Florida followed it up with two of its own from 2012 to 2013. It should be mentioned that the Aggies and Gators split the team title in 2013 when they both scored 53 points.

Oregon won the next two in front of its home crowd before Florida surged to the front of pack in Eugene last year to give Mike Holloway his 6th NCAA title. If recent history repeats itself (get it?) Holloway and the Gator men will add a 7th ring to their collection come mid-June.

Florida is the preseason favorite in the NCAA Division I Men’s Outdoor Track & Field National Team Computer Rankings that were released Monday by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA). This is the first time the Gators have headlined the preseason rankings since 2012.

The defending national outdoor champs totaled 282.97 points, which put them 5.43 points ahead of 2nd-ranked Oregon (277.54).

The National Team Computer Rankings are compiled by a mathematical formula based on the NCAA Division I Descending Order Lists. Marks from previous seasons are included until enough data can be drawn from the current season and current freshmen aren’t included in the rankings until they compete in an outdoor meet. The purpose and methodology of the rankings is to create an index that showcases the teams that have the best potential of achieving the top spots in the race for a national title. Ranking points don’t equate with points that will be scored at the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships.

Florida will be led once again by those athletes who propelled them to a crown last year in Eugene. Eric Futch and TJ Holmes are expected to score big points for the Gators in the 400 hurdles, while KeAndre Bates and Anders Eriksson lead a healthy group in the field. Don’t forget about those standout freshmen – Clayton Brown and Grant Holloway – or Florida’s stellar relay teams either.

Oregon is paced by distance star Edward Cheserek who will be seeking yet another double. Last year Cheserek won the 5000 and 10000 and is a threat at 1500 meters as well, especially after this year when he set the collegiate record in the indoor mile. Look for Marcus Chambers (400), Cody Danielson (javelin) and Damarcus Simpson (long jump) to give the Ducks crucial points in their events throughout the season as well.

Arkansas, Texas A&M and LSU round out the top-5 with a little bit of distance between them and the top-2 teams.

The Razorbacks are looking for another strong effort from sprinter Kenzo Cotton as well as its athletes in the field like indoor triple jump champ Clive Pullen and Ken Legassey.

The Aggies, who won the indoor title this past season, add in Ioannis Kyriazis and will see Lindon Victor in his best multi (decathlon). We already know what the Kerleys and Texas A&M’s 4×400 relay can do.

The Tigers are stacked in the sprints with Tremaybe Acy, Nathaneel Mitchell-Blake and Michael Cherry. The computers also love LSU’s 4×100 and 4×400 relays (top points in both).

Just a few spots outside the top-5, Texas, Alabama and Georgia are expected to make significant strides after poor finishes at NCAAs last year. The Crimson Tide made the biggest jump out of those three teams after it soared 56 spots from No. 64 to No. 8. The Longhorns vaulted 29 spots from No. 36 to No. 7, while Georgia moved up 20 spots from No. 29 to No. 9.

Other big movers included Syracuse (No. 47 to No. 16), Minnesota (No. 47 to No. 19), Western Kentucky (No. 57 to No. 23), Auburn (No. 58 to No. 24) and South Carolina (No. 47 to No. 25).

Check back throughout the season as these rankings are bound to change as teams prepare for June, which is when the 2017 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships will be held from June 7-10 at Historic Hayward Field.