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. 7 men’s spot goes to Alabama, and here's why:

Probable Top Five:

SR Vincent Kiprop (13:37 5K; 28:19 10K; 7th at ’17 NCAA XC)

SR Gilbert Kigen (13:40 5K; 28:27 10K; 4th at ’17 NCAA XC)

SR Alfred Chelanga (13:42 5K; 28:04 10K; 37th at ’17 NCAA XC)

FR Noel Rotich (8:52* 3K SC; 17th at ’17 Kenya U20 XC)

FR Kwemoi Ndiwa (1:49 800)

Impact Freshmen/Transfers:

Noel Rotich via Kenya (8:52 3K SC; 17th at ’17 Kenya U20 XC)

Kwemoi Ndiwa via Kenya (1:49 800)

*Raced at 8,000ft altitude

Analysis:

For the Alabama men this year it’s all about simple math…

- Over the past five seasons the average score for podium teams have been the following:

1st: 99 pts | 2nd: 129 pts | 3rd: 177 pts | 4th: 211 pts

- With the addition of Noel Rotich, the quartet of Kiprop/Kigen/Chelanga/Rotich have a good chance to score a total of 50 pts.

- Therefore in order for Alabama to flirt with a podium finish they will need their fifth man to score 161 pts which last year was 189th place.

- Alabama added another Kenyan runner in Kwemoi Ndiwa who is a mid-distance athlete. So it is unknown if he will translate well to the 10k distance.

- If Ndiwa isn’t their guy junior James Brinyark will have to fill in the five hole, he scored 206 pts last year and lowered his 5K pb to 14:41 this past track season.

- Based on these factors, Alabama will be the most interesting team to following in 2018 and could be the darkhorse candidate to steal a podium trophy from a powerhouse xc program.

FULL RANKINGS HERE