Photo Courtesy: Peter H.Bick
PHOENIX – The Florida Gators made a huge jump from seventh to first to take over the top of the College Swim Coaches Association of America’s (CSCAA) poll of the top 25 Division I men’s swimming and diving teams. The poll is produced in conjunction with Swimming World Magazine and supported by TYR.
The goal of the CSCAA rankings committee is to produce an in-season poll of the 25 best-performing teams in rank order at the time of each poll. The poll is not designed to predict the results of the NCAA Championship, but rather which teams would win head-to-head against other teams in the country.
Specifically, the poll committee does not differentiate between the types of meets, or the status of a specific team in terms of rested versus unrested, when considering votes. Further, rankings are only based on performances that have taken place up to that point in the season, with an emphasis on action from the previous poll.
Swimming World has been invited as a media member to participate in the polling process, and has a vote in each poll. Jeff Commings serves as Swimming World’s representative on these weekly conference calls.
CSCAA NCAA Men’s Division I Swimming and Diving Team Rankings Supported by TYR
1. Florida (3-1, 2-1 SEC)
Photo Courtesy: Peter H.Bick
Last poll rank: 7
Results
Pinch A Penny Invitational (10/3-5), first place
W vs. LSU (10/10), 162.5-122.5
W at Kentucky (10/16), 164-128
L vs. Georgia (10/31), 174.5-122.5
W vs. Minnesota (11/8), 167-125
Since last poll:
Georgia Tech Invitational (11/20-22), first place
Next competition: December 4-6 at USA Swimming nationals
The Florida Gators made an impressive jump up the rankings, moving from seventh to first after a strong outing at the Georgia Tech Invitational.
2. Stanford (2-0, 0-0 Pac 12)
Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick
Last poll rank: 10
Results
W vs. Hawaii (10/18), 179-106
W vs. Wisconsin (11/8), 148-90
Since last poll:
Art Adamson Invitational (11/20-22), first place
Next competition: January 10 vs. Pacific
Stanford truly made its mark at the Art Adamson Invitational, vaulting eight spots from 10th last time around. Look for Stanford to continue to fight for the top spot the rest of the year.
3. Missouri (4-0, 1-0 SEC)
Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick
Last poll rank: 16
Results
Show-Me-Showdown (10/3), first place
W vs. Missouri State (10/31), 178-65
W at Kentucky (11/7-8), 228-120
W vs. Northwestern (at Kentucky) (11/7-8), 221-127
W vs. Southern Illinois (at Kentucky) (11/7-8), 253-95
Since last poll:
Missouri Invitational (11/20-22), first place
Next competition: January 17 at South Carolina
Missouri had a truly outstanding meet at its Missouri Invitational, and the voters noticed by catapulting the Tigers up to third from 16th overall.
4. Ohio State (5-0, 0-0 Big Ten)
Photo Courtesy: Peter H.Bick
Last poll rank: 12
Results
W vs. Cincinnati (10/24), 160-119
W vs. Cleveland State (10/30), 137-88
W vs. Kenyon (10/31), 163.5-115.5
W vs. Princeton (11/7-8), 209-136
W vs. Denison (11/7-8), 249-96
Since last poll:
Ohio State Invitational (11/21-23), first place
Next competition: December 4-6 at USA Swimming nationals
Ohio State proved to be another big mover, jumping up from 12th overall to fourth after a strong meet at home in Columbus.
5. Michigan (6-0, 3-0 Big Ten)
Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick
Last poll rank: 2
Results
W at Iowa (10/4), 173-119
W vs. Indiana (10/24-25), 242.5-110.5
W vs. Louisville (10/24-25), 247-116
W vs. Texas (10/24-25), 183-170
W at Penn State (11/7-8), 212.5-140.5
W vs. Virginia (at Penn State) (11/7-8), 247-102
Since last poll:
Idle
Next competition: December 3-6 at USA Swimming nationals
This is one of those times where being idle since a previous poll can cause you to lose some ground. With other teams putting up impressive times in the past few weeks, Michigan fell a few slots.
6. California (3-0, 0-0 Pac 12)
Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick
Last poll rank: 1
Results
W at Pacific (10/8), 173-81
W vs. Hawaii (10/17), 159-117
W vs. Wisconsin (11/7), 169-116
Since last poll:
Idle
Next competition: December 4-6 at Georgia Invitational
California proved to be another team that felt a bit of a pinch due to being idle. What’s a bit surprising is that they fell a slot lower than Michigan, even though they were above them in the last poll – with neither team having swum since then.
7. Texas (3-1, 0-0 Big 12)
Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick
Last poll rank: 3
Results
W vs. Texas A&M (10/17), 153-113
L at Michigan (10/24-25), 183-170
W vs. Indiana (at Michigan) (10/24-25), 222-131
W vs. Louisville (at Michigan) (10/24-25), 217-136
Since last poll:
Idle
Next competition: December 4-6 at Texas Invitational
The third team that felt the bite of being idle, Texas drifted a bit in the rankings to seventh from third overall.
8. Louisville (5-3, 1-0 ACC)
Photo Courtesy: Matthew DeMaria/Tennessee Athletics
Last poll rank: 5
Results
W vs. Xavier (10/10), 205-64
L vs. Michigan (10/24-25), 247-116
L vs. Indiana (at Michigan) (10/24-25), 185.5-166.5
L vs. Texas (at Michigan) (10/24-25), 217-136
W vs. Cincinnati (11/1), 210-87
W vs. North Carolina (11/7-8), 220-133
Since last poll:
W vs. Tennessee (11/14), 167.5-130.5
W vs. Auburn (at Tennessee) (11/14), 171-129
Louisville Invitational (11/21-23), first place
Next competition: December 4-6 at USA Swimming nationals
Louisville fell a bit, but still managed to remain in the top 10, even though the Cardinals managed a pair of wins against Southeastern Conference foes in Tennessee and Auburn.
9. Virginia Tech (4-1, 2-1 ACC)
Photo Courtesy: Sarah Stockwell
Last poll rank: 17
Results
W vs. Old Dominion (10/18), 233-120
L at North Carolina (10/25), 182-118
W at Duke (10/26), 180-115
W at Notre Dame (11/7-8), 287-83
W vs. Pittsburgh (at Notre Dame) (11/7-8), 287-83
Since last poll:
Virginia Tech Invitational (11/20-22)
Next competition: January 4 vs. Buffalo
The reigning ACC champions put on a show at their home Invitational last weekend, and the voters rewarded them with a move up from 17 to nine.
10. NC State (4-0, 2-0 ACC)
Photo Courtesy: Amelia J. Brackin/Alabama
Photo Courtesy: North Carolina State Athletics
Last poll rank: 6
Results
All-North Carolina Invitational (10/3-4), first place
W vs. Georgia (10/18), 155-143
W at Georgia Tech (10/25), 161-122
W vs. Florida State (at Georgia Tech) (10/25), 173-115
Since last poll:
W at Virginia (11/15), 181-112
Nike Cup (11/20-22), first place
Next competition: December 4-6 at USA Swimming nationals
Despite a win at the Nike Cup and a victory against in-state rival Virginia, the Wolfpack dropped from sixth to 10th.
11. Alabama (2-2, 1-2 SEC)
Photo Courtesy: Kelly Price/Alabama Athletics
Last poll rank: 15
Results
W vs. Delta State (9/12), 199-98
L at Georgia (10/10), 164-128
W vs. LSU (11/1), 220-80
L vs. Auburn (11/1), 167-133
Since last poll:
Virginia Tech Invitational (11/20-22)
Next competition: January 9 at Texas A&M
Alabama had some strong performances at the Virginia Tech Invitational, and moved up a few spots from 15th to 11th.
12. Georgia (5-1, 2-0 SEC)
Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick
Last poll rank: 4
Results
W at Alabama (10/10), 164-128
W at North Carolina (10/17), 155-145
L at NC State (10/18), 155-143
W at Florida (10/31), 174.5-122.5
W at Georgia Tech (11/7), 182-116
W vs. Savannah College of Art and Design (at Georgia Tech) (11/7), 237-55
Since last poll:
Idle
Next competition: December 5-7 at Georgia Invite
Georgia fell from fourth all the way to 12th overall while being idle since the last vote. This time of the year tends to be when you see a lot of movement with teams having different competition schedules.
T13. Indiana (4-2, 0-1 Big Ten)
Photo Courtesy: Matthew DeMaria/Tennessee Athletics
Last poll rank: 8
Results
W vs. Auburn (10/10), 149-91
L at Michigan (10/24-25), 242.5-110.5
L vs. Texas (at Michigan) (10/24-25), 222-131
W vs. Louisville (at Michigan) (10/24-25), 185.5-166.5
W at Tennessee (10/31), 157-143
W vs. Kentucky (at Tennessee) (10/31), 240-58
Since last poll:
Idle
Next competition: December 4-6 at USA Swimming nationals
The Hoosiers, after jumped to eighth with a strong set of meets against Tennessee and Kentucky, tumbled to a tie for 13th due to being idle.
T13. Tennessee (3-4, 1-1 SEC)
Photo Courtesy: Tia Patron/Tennessee Athletics
Last poll rank: 14
Results
W at UNC-Wilmington (9/26), 174-117
W at Queens (10/9), 139-65
L at North Carolina (10/10), 170-130
W vs. Kentucky (10/31), 234-64
L vs. Indiana (10/31), 157-143
Since last poll:
L vs. Auburn (11/14), 157-143
L vs. Louisville (11/14), 167.5-130.5
Nike Cup (11/20-22), first place
Next competition: December 3-6 at USA Swimming nationals
After a lights out meet at the Nike Cup, Tennessee may have been able to move up higher than a spot, but losses to Auburn and Louisville held them back a bit.
15. North Carolina (2-2, 1-0 ACC)
Photo Courtesy: North Carolina Athletics
Last poll rank: 9
Results
W vs. Tennessee (10/10), 170-130
L vs. Georgia (10/17), 155-145
W vs. Virginia Tech (10/25), 182-118
L at Louisville (11/7-8), 220-133
Since last poll:
Nike Cup (11/20-22), second place
Next competition: December 4-6 at USA Swimming nationals
North Carolina wasn’t able to hold onto its top 10 spots from last time as it fell a bit to 15th in the rankings.
16. Southern California (4-0, 2-0 Pac 12)
Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick
Last poll rank: 13
Results
W at Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo (10/17), 152-125
W at UC-Santa Barbara (10/18), 152-107
Since last poll:
W vs. Arizona State (11/14), 165-125
W vs. Arizona (11/15), 182-118
Next competition: December 4-6 at Texas Invitational and USA Swimming nationals
The Trojans picked up a pair of wins against Arizona State and Arizona since the last poll, but weren’t seen as impressive as those around them in the polls as they dropped from 13th to 16th.
17. Georgia Tech (5-3, 3-1 ACC)
Photo Courtesy: Georgia Tech Athletics
Last poll rank: 24
Results
L at Penn State (10/3), 160.5-137.5
W at Navy (10/4), 175.5-122.5
W vs. South Carolina (10/17), 186-114
W vs. Pittsburgh (10/18), 170-125
W vs. Florida State (10/25), 183-116
L vs. NC State (10/25), 161-122
L vs. Georgia (11/7), 182-116
W vs. SCAD (11/7), 240-48
Since last poll:
Georgia Tech Invitational (11/20-22), second place
Next competition: December 3-6 at USA Swimming nationals
Georgia Tech performed well at home, taking second in the Georgia Tech Invitational. With those performances, the panel moved the squad up from 24th to 17th.
18. South Carolina (3-1, 1-0 SEC)
Photo Courtesy: South Carolina Athletics
Last poll rank: NR
Results
W, Kentucky, 92.5-27.5
L, Georgia Tech, 186-114
W, College of Charleston, 157-135
W, East Carolina, 169-104
Since last poll:
3rd, Virginia Tech Invitational
Next competition: January 3, Georgia
The Gamecocks moved up to 18th from outside the rankings after a third-place finish at the fast Virginia Tech Invitational.
T19. Minnesota (2-3, 1-1 Big Ten)
Photo Courtesy: Catherine Ladd
Last poll rank: 21
Results
W at Arizona State (10/4), 181-117
L vs. Wisconsin (10/17), 153.5-146.5
W vs. North Dakota (10/24), 207-89
W vs. Iowa (10/31), 163-137
L at Florida (11/8), 167-125
Since last poll:
Arena Grand Prix-Minneapolis (11/20-22)
Next competition: December 5-6 at Jean Freeman Invitational
The Golden Gophers jumped up a few spots after a strong performance at the Arena Grand Prix in their home pool.
T19. Auburn (2-1, 2-0 SEC)
Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick
Last poll rank: 11
Results
L at Indiana (10/10), 149-91
W at Alabama (11/1), 167-133
W vs. LSU (at Alabama) (11/1), 225-75
W at Tennessee (11/14), 157-143
L vs. Louisville (at Tennessee) (11/14), 171-129
Since last poll:
Idle
Next competition: December 5-7 at Georgia Invitational
Auburn suffered a big fall, down to 20th from 11th, but will make up some ground at the Georgia Fall Invitational next week.
21. Wisconsin (4-2, 2-0 Big Ten)
Photo Courtesy: Wisconsin Athletics
Last poll rank: 19
Results
W at Arizona State (10/3), 130.5-111.5
W at Arizona (10/4), 170-128
W at Minnesota (10/17), 153.5-146.5
L at California (11/7), 169-116
L at Stanford (11/8), 148-90
Since last poll:
W vs. Northwestern (11/13), 186.5-110.5
Ohio State Invitational (11/21-23), second place
Next competition: December 4-6 at Texas Invitational
Wisconsin dropped a bit from 19th to 21st after a second-place finish at the Ohio State Invitational.
22. Purdue (3-0, 0-0 Big Ten)
Photo Courtesy: Purdue Athletics
Last poll rank: NR
Results
1st, Indiana Intercollegiates
W, Miami (Ohio), 207-92
W, Notre Dame, 161-139
W, Western Kentucky, 165-132
Since last poll:
Minnesota Grand Prix
Ohio State Invitational, Diving
Next competition: January 9-10, Michigan State
Purdue had a truly awesome set of swims at the Arena Grand Prix in Minnesota, and it showed as voters moved them up to 22nd from outside the rankings.
23. Princeton (3-1, 2-0 Ivy League)
Photo Courtesy: Princeton Athletics
Last poll rank: 22
Results
L at Ohio State (11/7-8), 209-136
W vs. Denison (at Ohio State) (11/7-8), 262-91
Since last poll:
W vs. Cornell (11/21), 168-140
W vs. Penn (11/21), 183-117
Next competition: December 3-6 at USA Swimming nationals
A pair of wins against Cornell and Penn weren’t enough to stop Princeton from dropping a spot in the rankings.
24. Florida State (1-2, 02- ACC)
Photo Courtesy: Florida State Athletics
Last poll rank: 20
Results
Pinch A Penny Invitational (10/3-5), second place
L vs Georgia Tech (10/25), 183-116
L vs. NC State (at Georgia Tech) (10/25), 173-115
W vs. Florida Southern (11/7), 168-119
Since last poll:
Georgia Tech Invitational (11/20-22), third place
Next competition: January 3 vs. Florida
Florida State’s third-place finish at the Georgia Tech Invitational led to a slight fall from 20th to 24th. But, the squad could make a run back up the rankings starting in January.
25. Air Force (7-1)
Photo Courtesy: Air Force Athletics
Last poll rank: NR
Results
W, Colorado Mesa, 302-70
L, BYU, 197-177
L, Utah, 259-113
W, North Dakota, 138-99
W, South Dakota, 161-76
W, Colorado Mines, 126-101
W, Colorado Mesa, 129-109
W, Wyoming, 154-146
W, Grand Canyon, 161.5-131.5
Since last poll:
4th, Nike Cup
Next competition: Dec. 29, UCSD, Incarnate Word
Air Force made a move into the top 25 after having circled around the outskirts throughout the season.
CSCAA NCAA Division I Men’s Swimming and Diving Ranking as of November 25, 2014
1. Florida
2. Stanford
3. Missouri
4. Ohio State
5. Michigan
6. California
7. Texas
8. Louisville
9. Virginia Tech
10. NC State
11. Alabama
12. Georgia
13. (Tie) Indiana
13. (Tie) Tennessee
15. North Carolina
16. Southern California
17. Georgia Tech
18. South Carolina
19. (Tie) Minnesota
19. (Tie) Auburn
21. Wisconsin
22. Purdue
23. Princeton
24. Florida State
25. Air Force
Also receiving votes: Denver, Harvard, LSU, Michigan State, Penn State, Utah
CSCAA NCAA Men’s Division I Swimming and Diving Team Poll Committee
Chair: Bill Roberts, United States Naval Academy; Chad Craddock, University of Maryland Baltimore County; Braden Holloway/Gary Taylor, North Carolina State University; Jeff Commings, Swimming World Magazine; McGee Moody, University of South Carolina; Vic Riggs, West Virginia University; Dan Ross, Purdue University; Brian Schrader, University of Denver; Dorsey Tierney-Walker, Arizona State University
More CSCAA college rankings:
OK, I am about to be controversial (and a bit insulting) here but this is a really dumb basis for a poll. I used to run one of the major college football polls and there were certainly things you could quibble with regarding its methodology but it was straightforward and there was a rhyme and reason to its methodology. It was also designed to be predictive (based on opinion of course.) If the 1st played the 6th, the 1st would be the favorite. I picked those two because using that as a basis, in this poll we are saying that if Florida swam Cal, or swam in the same invite as Cal, Florida would beat Cal. But in the last poll Cal was ranked number 1 (I thought they were lower but according to this they were) and Florida was 7th so we would predict something different with no real difference within the teams just the fact that Florida swam their fall invite last week and Cal didn’t. So there is no internal consistency. OK, let’s say we don’t care about internal consistency and just care about the poll as a report of what happened and who swam best the week before the report. Honestly, who cares? Jeff already has a swimmer of the week segment and conferences also have swimmers and divers of the week. Maybe SW should have a college team of the week and be done with this poll. Please note that I love almost everything SW does. I know how hard polls can be to conduct as I have run others beyond the college football poll mentioned. I also know how hard it is to be “different” with regard to your poll which is what i am sure came up in the discussion when trying to do this poll. Finally I know that given my position as a polling expert my view may be completely different than others but I get annoyed every time I see the new version of this poll. My feelings are the same as the ones I have for CollegeSwimming.com’s ranking of potential recruits that had Katie Ledecky ranked 7th, the results invalidate the methodology. Again, I love most stuff SW does and remain a fan despite my negative comments.