Check out the Saucony Flo50 XC Countdown, where FloTrack ranks the top 31 cross country teams in the NCAA this season. The No. 25 spot goes to BYU this year, and here's why:

Probable Top Five:

SR Natalie Shields-Connolly (16:30 5K; 34:50 10K; 137th at '15 NCAA XC)
SR Yesenia Silva (16:36 5K; 34:50 10K; 155th at '15 NCAA XC)
SO Lauren Shubin (9:47 3K; 10:20 3K SC)
JR Kristi Rush (4:22 1500; 9:21 3K; 10:24 3K SC)
SO Alice Jensen (16:52 5K; 35:12 10K; 174th at '15 NCAA XC)

Impact Freshmen/Transfers:

Courtney Wayment via Kaysville, UT (10:40 3200; 17th at '15 NXN)
Olivia Hoj via Salt Lake City, UT (10:46 3200; 24th at '15 FL XC)
Whittni Orton via Panguitch, UT (11:00 3200;  4x 1A State Champ)
Rachel Stewart via Mission Return (4:22 1500)

Analysis:

BYU is in a transition year after longtime head coach Patrick Shane announced his retirement in July. Shane coached the Cougars for 36 years and led the team to four NCAA cross country titles. BYU has yet to announce a new head coach, but director Ed Eyestone will surely find a solid replacement for the storied women's distance program.

Last fall, the Cougars finished 23rd at the NCAA championships, and broke through with a ninth-place team finish at the Wisconsin Invitational. The key for the Cougars last year was a consistently close top five spread, which may continue through the 2016 season with the help of an older class and impactful freshmen.

Some promising up-and-comers include the best recruits out of the state of Utah. Courtney Wayment is returning from a top-20 finish at Nike Cross Nationals, and Olivia Hoj was a Foot Locker finalist. The Cougars will also see the return of speedy middle distance standout Rachel Stewart, who is returning from her missionary work and should pick up right where she left off: as a 4:22 1500m runner and a key contributor in cross country.

Previously:
#26 Virginia
#27 Villanova
#28 Vanderbilt
#29 Texas
#30 Florida
#31 Minnesota