1. Florida Gators

Florida recorded a national high over the weekend, while the next closest contenders struggled, allowing the Gators to extend their lead atop the rankings and solidify their status as the team to beat.

2. Oklahoma Sooners

Oklahoma had a semi-dud on Friday for 197.175, which was not high enough to count for NQS. But because the Sooners already had a best-scores advantage on LSU, they were nonetheless able to move up to #2 this week. Oklahoma is farther back of Florida now but also still has four remaining meets to Florida’s two and therefore enjoys more opportunities to gain.

3. LSU Tigers

LSU’s loss to Kentucky did not allow the team to improve its NQS and also means the team is saddled with counting a 197.550 road score. It’s a good score of course but now a real disadvantage if trying to catch Oklahoma.

4. Utah Utes

Average: 197.113

Utah stepped up its scoring a little bit from the previous week, going 197.375 in defeating Cal, though that’s still the kind of score that will leave Utah somewhat vulnerable to being dropped out of a #1 regional seed position. Minnesota and Alabama (and probably eventually Michigan) are closing in.

5. Minnesota Gophers

Minnesota recorded the best score at the Big Five meets to improve its ranking three spots. It was a particularly critical result for Minnesota to achieve in its second-to-last road meet as the team didn’t have any 197 road scores to that point.

6. Alabama Crimson Tide

Alabama defeated Arkansas with its highest road score so far to set up a very competitive NQS picture and make a good argument for a #2 regional seeding, at least. That home 197.7 is the main difference maker between Alabama and the other teams in the top 10, and And Alabama hosts Florida this Friday…

7. Arizona State Sun Devils

So Arizona State is good now, you guys, and used a two-meet week to zoom up the rankings and establish a competitive NQS that even has a drop-able road score still hanging around. ASU will still need to be wary of Cal and UCLA moving up, so a spot in the all-important top 8 is not a given, but it’s suddenly looking possible.

8. Arkansas Razorbacks

Arkansas lost some ground this week because a 197.000 home score was not enough to break into its NQS picture. The home scores are already fine. It’s the road scores that need addressing, and there’s an opportunity to do just that at Auburn this weekend. Arkansas has some (some) actual score pressure this weekend as Kentucky still maintains a chance to pass Arkansas for the final spot in the evening session at SECs.