Check out the Saucony Flo50 XC Countdown, where FloTrack ranks the top 31 cross country teams in the NCAA this season. The No. 27 spot goes to Villanova this year, and here's why:

Probable Top Five:

JR Siofra Cleirigh Buttner (2:02 800; 4:21 1500; 113th at '15 NCAA XC) 
SR Angel Piccirillo (4:13 1500; 9:06 3K; 140th at '15 NCAA XC)
SO Bella Burda (4:31 1500; 16:25 5K; 175th at '15 NCAA XC, 16th at '16 IAAF World U20 5K)
SO Kaley Ciluffo via Clemson (4:26 1500; 9:43 3K; 28th at '15 ACC XC)
SO Nicole Hutchinson (2:14 800; 4:22 1500; 240th at '15 NCAA XC)

Impact Freshmen/Transfers:

Kaley Ciluffo via Clemson University (4:26 1500; 9:43 3K; 28th at '15 ACC XC)
Jacquelyn Smith via Palos Verdes, CA (4:48 1600; 10:45 3200)

Analysis: 

The Wildcat women were 30th at the NCAA Championships last year, and enter the 2016 season with their everyone in their top seven returning. Their squad was fourth at the Mid-Atlantic Regional last fall, and have a real shot to make it back to Nationals for an eighth time in the last nine years. Their top returner is junior Siofra Cleirigh Buttner, who finished 113th last year's NCAA XC Championships. On the track, Buttner specializes in middle distance races, and ran 2:02 in the 800m this spring. She was the BIG EAST champion, and finished 10th in the event at the NCAA Outdoor Championships. 

Aiding Buttner in the Wildcats' quest for another championship berth is senior Angel Piccirillo, who returns to Villanova for a final cross country season and outdoor season on the track. Piccirillo broke the collegiate record in the 1K this winter and finished runner-up in the mile at NCAA Indoors before redshirting her the outdoor season. Clemson transfer Kaley Ciluffo should add to a group of sophomores, including Nicole Hutchinson and Bella Burda, who were only freshman when they competed last year at NCAAs. Burda added international experience to her resume by qualifying for the IAAF World U20 Championships this summer in the 5K. If the Villanova women can rely on Buttner's leadership and see sophomores perform consistently in the 3-5 spots, then the team has a great shot at making it back to Terre Haute.

Previously:

#28 Vanderbilt
#29 Texas
#30 Florida Women
#31 Minnesota Women