Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick
PHOENIX – The first college swimming coaches rankings poll of the 2014-15 season from the College Swimming Coaches Association of America put the University of Michigan at the top of the list of the top 25 Division I men’s swimming and diving teams.
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.
This first poll ranking of the season is missing some notable teams that have not yet competed in dual or invitational meets. The committee does not consider teams that have yet to post official times in the current college season for the first 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.
1. Michigan
Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick
Results
W, Iowa, 173-119
W, Indiana, 242.5-110.5
W, Louisville, 237-116
W, Texas, 183-170
Next competition: Penn State, Virginia in State College, Nov. 7-8
The Wolverines definitely had a strong start to the season, running off four wins, including a huge three-piece by taking down Indiana, Louisville and Texas during a Quad Meet at the Canham Natatorium.
2. Texas
Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick
Results
W, Texas A&M, 153-113
W, Indiana, 222-131
W, Louisville, 217-136
L, Michigan, 183-170
Next competition: Texas Diving Invitational, Nov. 20-22
The Texas Longhorns certainly swam strong to open the season during what head coach Eddie Reese calls Rocktober. If not for a supremely powerful meet by Michigan, Texas would be standing atop the rankings.
3. N.C. State
Photo Courtesy: NC State
Results
1st, All-North Carolina Invitational
W, Georgia, 155-143
W, Florida State, 173-115
W, Georgia Tech, 161-122
Next competition: Diving Quad Meet, Nov. 1
The N.C. State Wolfpack has to be one of the fastest rising programs in the nation with brand-new father Braden Holloway coaching one of the most dynamic squads in the land. Simonas Bilas already has turned some heads, winning a Speedo Performance of the Week already.
Selfie with my little man. 1/2 day old. pic.twitter.com/Qqbplla6WQ
— Braden Holloway (@WolfpackSWD) October 29, 2014
4. Georgia
Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick
Results
W, Alabama, 164-128
W, North Carolina, 155-145
L, N.C. State, 155-143
Next competition: Florida in Athens, Ga., Oct. 31.
Although head coach Jack Bauerle is still in the process of fighting off NCAA allegations for academic impropriety, the Georgia Bulldogs haven’t lost a step as Harvey Humphries has them firing on all cylinders. With one of the deepest recruiting class infusions in recent history with Gunnar Bentz and the Litherland triplets now on campus, the Bulldogs are looking strong for the rest of the season.
5. Florida
Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick
Results
1st, Pinch A Penny All-Florida Invitational
W, LSU, 162.5-122.5
W, Kentucky, 164-128
Next competition: Georgia at Athens, Ga., Oct. 31
Florida kicked off the season in a strong fashion with an invitational win as well as a pair of Southeastern Conference triumphs, but its first major test will be a Halloween contest against the Bulldogs.
6. California
Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick
Results
W, Pacific, 173-81
W, Hawaii, 159-117
Next competition: Stanford at Stanford, Calif., Nov. 5
California has been able to keep its powder dry so far this season with meets against Pacific and Hawaii, but a Pacific 12 tilt against Stanford should wake up the Golden Bears next week.
7. North Carolina
Photo Courtesy: North Carolina Athletics
Results
W, Tennessee, 170-130
L, Georgia, 155-145
W, Virginia Tech, 182-118
Next competition: Louisville at Louisville, Ky., Nov. 7-8
The Tar Heels have already had a pretty strong schedule, splitting a pair of contests against Southeastern Conference foes in Tennessee and Georgia, before taking down Atlantic Coast Conference member Virginia Tech.
8. Indiana
Photo Courtesy: Matthew DeMaria/Tennessee Athletics
Results
W, Auburn, 149-91
W, Louisville, 185.5-166.5
L, Michigan, 242.5-110.5
L, Texas, 222-131
Next competition: Tennessee, Kentucky at Knoxville, Tenn., Oct. 31.
After picking up a huge victory against Auburn on the Big Ten Network to start the season, Indiana earned a win against Louisville in the stocked Michigan Quad Meet. An early key to IU’s success has been former Minnesota head coach Dennis Dale now being in charge of the sprinters. What used to be a glaring weakness at IU is quickly becoming a strength.
9. Louisville
Photo Courtesy: Matthew DeMaria/Tennessee Athletics
Results
W, Xavier, 205-64
2nd, SMU Classic
L, Texas, 217-136
L, Michigan, 242-110
L, Indiana, 186-166.5
Next competition: Cincinnati, Nov. 1
Even though the Cardinals were on the losing end of the Michigan Quad meet, the team put together enough strong swims to earn a top 10 ranking this time around.
10. Ohio State
Photo Courtesy: Peter H.Bick
Results
W, Cincinnati, 160-119
Next competition: Cleveland State, Oct. 30; Kenyon, Oct. 31
The Buckeyes opened the season with a victory against in-state rival Cincinnati, and will look to take down two more when the Cleveland State Vikings and Kenyon Lords head to Columbus for an end of the month set of meets.
11. Southern California
Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick
Results
W, Cal Poly, 152-125
W, UC Santa Barbara, 152-107
Peter Daland Invitational
Next competition: Trojan Diving Invitational, Nov. 7-9
The Trojans won’t have their first major challenge until welcoming Arizona to the Uytensgu Aquatic Center in mid-November, but head coach Dave Salo’s squad has certainly put up some impressive efforts in the early season.
12. Virginia Tech
Photo Courtesy: Virginia Tech Athletics
Results
W, Penn State, 233-120
W, Old Dominion, 282-73
L, North Carolina, 182-118
W, Duke, 180-115
Next competition: Notre Dame, Pittsburgh in South Bend, Nov. 7-8
Virginia Tech opened the season with a 3-1 record, including some strong wins within the Atlantic Coast Conference.
13. Wisconsin
Photo Courtesy: Wisconsin Athletics
Results
W, Arizona State, 130.5-111.5
W, Arizona, 170-128
W, Minnesota, 153.5-146.5
Next competition: at California, Nov. 7; at Stanford, Nov. 8
Wisconsin has had one of the most complete starts to the season already. With a 3-0 record against legitimate competition, the Badgers could make some serious noise next week if they can do some damage against California and Stanford.
14. Tennessee
Photo Courtesy: Tia Patron/Tennessee Athletics
Results
W, UNC-Wilmington, 174-117
W, Queens, 139-65
L, North Carolina, 170-130
Next competition: Indiana, Kentucky in Knoxville, Tenn., Oct. 31
After a fun-filled training-trip meet to start the season in Wilmington, the Volunteers ran into their first major competition against the Tar Heels in Chapel Hill. The Vols will have a chance for some redemption when they host Indiana and Kentucky this weekend in a Halloween matchup.
15. Georgia Tech
Photo Courtesy: Georgia Tech Athletics
Results
L, Penn State, 160.5-137.5
W, Navy, 175.5-122.5
W, South Carolina, 186-114
W, Pittsburgh, 170-125
W, Florida State, 183-116
L, N.C. State, 161-122
Next competition: Georgia, SCAD in Atlanta, Nov. 7
Georgia Tech has been one of the busiest squads this season, having already rung up a 4-2 record. After a close loss to Penn State to kick off the season, Georgia Tech ran off four victories before running into the buzzsaw that is N.C. State.
16. Stanford
Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick
Results
W, Hawaii, 179-106
Next competition: California in Stanford, Calif., Nov. 5
Stanford is another team that hasn’t had a chance to compete against top-flight talent just yet, but the Cardinal will get that chance next week against long-time Pacific 12 foe California.
17. Auburn
Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick
Results
L, Indiana, 149-91
War Eagle Invitational
Next competition: Alabama, LSU in Tuscaloosa, Ala., Nov. 1
Auburn took a tough loss to Indiana on the Big Ten Network to start the season, with the biggest surprise being the Tigers lack of dominance in the sprint events. The sprinters get another chance for redemption this weekend against Southeastern Conference members LSU and Alabama.
18. Penn State
Photo Courtesy: Nathaniel C. Sheetz
Results
W, Georgia Tech, 160.5-137.5
W, Old Dominion, 241-110
L, Virginia Tech, 233-120
W, West Virginia, 145-98
Next competition: Villanova, Oct. 31.
Penn State has had a pretty busy October with a trio of swim meets, including a 1-1 effort at the Virginia Tech Challenge.
19. Minnesota
Photo Courtesy: Jordan Johnson/Minnesota Athletics
Results
W, Arizona State, 181-117
L, Wisconsin, 153.5-146.5
W, North Dakota, 207-89
Next competition: Iowa, Oct. 31
Minnesota is another Big Ten team earning a spot in the top 25 after taking a loss to Wisconsin but turning in a strong win against Arizona State to start the year.
20. Arizona
Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick
Results
L, Wisconsin, 167.5-112.5
Next competition: UNLV, Utah in Las Vegas, Nev., Nov. 1
It’s been a quiet season so far for the Wildcats, but this weekend will feature the team’s first chance to put up some strong times in a road trip to Las Vegas. The Wildcats will have a chance to gain some vengeance for last season’s upset loss against Utah.
21. Northwestern
Photo Courtesy: Northwestern Athletics
Results
W, Eastern Michigan, 161-139
W, UIC, 179-112
W, Oakland, 155-134
Next competition: Kentucky, Missouri, Southern Illinois in Lexington, Nov. 7-8
The Northwestern Wildcats, led by distance freestyle star Jordan Wilimovsky, have earned some early looks in the rankings with a 3-0 record. Next weekend will provide a strong litmus test for the Wildcats with a trip to Lexington, Ky.
22. Alabama
Photo Courtesy: Alabama Athletics
Results
W, Delta State, 199-98
L, Georgia, 164-128
Next competition: LSU, Auburn in Tuscaloosa, Ala., Nov. 1
The Crimson Tide has already had some strong competition this season with a tough loss against the Georgia Bulldogs, but will look to turn some heads this weekend against Auburn and LSU while at home.
23. Iowa
Photo Courtesy: Brian Ray/Iowa Athletics
Results
L, Michigan, 173-119
W, Michigan State, 174-126
Next competition: at Minnesota, Oct. 31
The Hawkeyes have already gone through the Michigan gauntlet, falling to the Wolverines and downing the Spartans in their first two meets of the season.
T24. Denver
Photo Courtesy: Summit League
Results
W, Colorado Mines
W, Missouri State, 190.5-162.5
Next competition: Wyoming, Oct. 30
Denver is the top mid-major team according to the panel, earning enough votes to get into the top 25 after putting up enough times to impress against Missouri State.
T24. Florida State
Photo Courtesy: Florida State Athletics
Results
2nd, All-Florida Invitational
L, N.C. State, 173-115
L, Georgia Tech, 183-116
Next competition: Florida Southern in Tallahassee, Nov. 7
A year after being one of the busiest teams in the first month of the season, the Seminoles scaled back with just three meets. FSU is looking to bounce back after a pair of losses against N.C. State and Georgia Tech.
Also Receiving Votes
South Carolina, Missouri, Virginia, Air Force, Wyoming, Utah, Texas A&M
Read Latest CSCAA Rankings Releases
Who are the notable unranked teams yet to compete that are not included?