Follow our 2018 FloXC Countdown, where FloTrack ranks the top 25 cross country teams and individuals in the NCAA this season which will be LIVE on FloTrack. And, be sure to watch our LIVE FloXC Podium Reveal Show Tuesday, September 11th at 10 AM CT. The No. 22 men’s spot goes to Texas, and here's why:

Probable Top Five:

JR John Rice (8:40 3K SC; 13:52 5K; 12th at ’17 NCAA 3K SC)

SO Sam Worley (3:58 Mile; 3rd at ’17 Big 12 XC)

SR Alex Rogers (4:00 Mile; 8:48 3K SC; 14:19 5K; 128th at ’17 NCAA XC)

SR Eric Kroon (8:25 3K; 30:18 10K; 20th at ’17 NCAA South Central XC)

JR Garek Bielaczyc (8:24 3K; 2nd at ’17 NCAA South Central XC)

Impact Freshmen/Transfers:

N/A

Analysis:

The Texas Longhorns enjoyed one of their strongest seasons in recent memory last fall when they finished just one point outside of clinching the Big 12 Conference title. Their 40-41 battle with Iowa State yielded the closest men’s title race in conference championship history.

The squad, 30th at NCAA XC in 2017, should be much improved this season under first-year coach Pete Watson, who joins the Forty Acres after spending the last five years at the University of Virginia. The Cavaliers were 16th at NCAAs last fall.

Texas returns six men who toed the line in Louisville last November and are led by senior Alex Rogers, who was 128th at NCAAs, third in the South Central Region and eighth at Big 12s. The biggest post-season boost could come from sophomore Sam Worley, who placed third at Big 12 XC but did not compete at regionals or nationals, likely due to injury. The middle distance star went on to run 3:58 in the mile indoors and place fifth in the NCAA 1500m final as a true freshman; if he can prove his mettle over 10K, the Longhorns will be dangerous indeed.

Junior John Rice broke out during the outdoor track season by capturing his first Big 12 title in the steeplechase and placing 12th at NCAAs, and unheralded true freshman Connor O’Neill was one of the Longhorns’ biggest secret weapons last fall, running No. 2 for the team at Big 12s and No. 3 at NCAAs.

FULL RANKINGS HERE