California Men Claim No. 1 Spot in Latest College Swimming Coaches Top 25 Poll

Above photo by Peter H. Bick

PHOENIX – Just as they did last March at the NCAA championships, the men’s swimming and diving teams from California and Michigan waged battle for the top spot in the College Swimming Coaches Association of America’s rankings of the top 25 Division I teams in the country. The Golden Bears, the reigning NCAA team champions, knocked Michigan down with just a few more No. 1 votes in the poll of eight coaches.

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.

1. California (3-0, 0-0 Pac 12)
Last poll rank: 6

Results
W at Pacific (10/8), 173-81
W vs. Hawaii (10/17), 159-117
W vs. Wisconsin (11/7), 169-116

Next competition: December 4-6 at Georgia Invitational

The Golden Bears also participated in an official yet unscored “Triple Distance” meet against Stanford, putting up some of their fastest swims of the season, particularly in the backstrokes from reigning NCAA champion Ryan Murphy.

2. Michigan (6-0, 3-0 Big Ten)
Last poll rank: 1

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

Next competition: December 3-6 at USA Swimming nationals

Michigan didn’t put up the fast times from two weeks ago in last weekend’s meet against Penn State and Virginia, which hurt their chances of holding the top spot.

3. Texas (3-1, 0-0 Big 12)
Last poll rank: 2

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

Next competition: December 4-6 at Texas Invitational

Despite being idle for the past two weeks, and remaining out of competition until hosting an invitational, the Longhorns remain in the top three.

4. Georgia (5-1, 2-0 SEC)
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

Next competition: December 5-7 at Georgia Invite

A big win over Florida went a long way in keeping the Bulldogs at No. 4.

5. Louisville (3-0, 1-0 ACC)
Last poll rank: 9

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

Next competition: Friday vs. Auburn at Tennessee

Louisville recovered well from the big loss in the quad meet in late October to post some stronger swims in early November and showcase more of the team’s depth.

6. NC State (3-0, 2-0 ACC)
Last poll rank: 3

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

Next competition: Saturday at Virginia

Unlike Texas, being idle since the last poll couldn’t keep the Wolfpack in the top five.

7. Florida (3-1, 2-1 SEC)
Last poll rank: 5

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

Next competition: November 20-22 at Georgia Tech Invite

Losing to conference rival Georgia exposed some of the weaknesses in Florida’s stroke lineup but the Gators’ freestyle strength is good enough to keep them in the top 10.

8. Indiana (4-2, 0-1 Big Ten)
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

Next competition: December 4-6 at USA Swimming nationals

Beating Tennessee on the Volunteers’ home turf was a big help in keeping the Hoosiers steady in this week’s poll rankings.

9. North Carolina (2-2, 1-0 ACC)
Last poll rank: 7

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

Next competition: November 20-22 at Nike Cup

Losing to Louisville was tough for the Tar Heels, especially the 87-point deficit. But North Carolina still fought hard and stayed in the top 10 this week.

10. Stanford (2-0, 0-0 Pac 12)
Last poll rank: 16

Results
W vs. Hawaii (10/18), 179-106
W vs. Wisconsin (11/8), 148-90

Next competition: November 20-22 at Texas A&M Invite

As was the case with California, Stanford’s placing in the poll was greatly helped by the official yet unscored “Triple Distance” meet that featured great distance freestyle times by Danny Thomson.

11. Auburn (2-1, 2-0 SEC)
Last poll rank: 17

Results
L at Indiana (10/10), 149-91
W at Alabama (11/1), 167-133
W vs. LSU (at Alabama) (11/1), 225-75

Next competition: Friday vs. Louisville at Tennessee

The Tigers recovered from a tough loss on the road to Indiana with two more away wins. Joe Patching’s contributions in several events were factors in getting Auburn close to the top 10.

12. Ohio State (5-0, 0-0 Big Ten)
Last poll rank: 10

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

Next competition: November 21-23 at Ohio State Invitational

Strong showings by the Buckeyes, including a top-10 national time from junior Josh Fleagle, weren’t enough to keep Ohio State in the top 10 as the Buckeyes raced mostly lesser teams since the last poll.

13. Southern California (2-0, 0-0 Pac 12)
Last poll rank: 11

Results
W at Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo (10/17), 152-125
W at UC-Santa Barbara (10/18), 152-107

Next competition: Saturday vs. Arizona

Though the Trojans haven’t raced top-flight opponents yet this season, they should put forward some stronger swims this weekend against Arizona and impress the coaches for the next poll ranking.

14. Tennessee (3-2, 1-1 SEC)
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

Next competition: Friday vs. Louisville and Auburn

A win against Kentucky and a loss to Indiana, both at home, canceled each other out and kept Tennessee in a holding pattern.

15. Alabama (2-2, 1-2 SEC)
Last poll rank: 22

,b>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

Next competition: November 20-22 at Hokie Fall Invite

Another big mover in the poll rankings, the Crimson Tide lost to Auburn at home but put up some fast times that made them more competitive on a nationwide scale.

16. Missouri (4-0, 1-0 SEC)
Last poll rank: Not ranked

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

Next competition: November 20-22 at Missouri Invitational

Missouri roars into the top 25 with dominating wins in the past two weeks.

17. Virginia Tech (4-1, 2-1 ACC)
Last poll rank: 12

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

Next competition: November 20-22 at Hokie Fall Invitational

Three wins in the past two weeks couldn’t keep Virginia Tech in the top 15, as times posted by the Hokies weren’t not fast enough to impress the panel.

18. Penn State (5-2, 0-1 Big Ten)
Last poll rank: 18

Results
W vs. Georgia Tech (10/3), 160-.5-137.5
L vs. Virginia Tech (10/18), 233-120
W vs. Old Dominion (at Virginia Tech) (10/18), 241-110
W at West Virginia (10/23), 145-98
W vs. Villanova (10/31), 150-101
L vs. Michigan (11/7-8), 212.5-140.5
W vs. Virginia (11/7-8), 212-136

Next competition: December 5-7 at Georgia Invitational

The Nittany Lions hold their position by splitting a tri-meet last weekend at home and beating Villanova handily on Halloween.

19. Wisconsin (4-0, 2-0 Pac 12)
Last poll rank: 13

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

Next competition: Thursday vs. Northwestern

Losing to two of the top teams in the nation caused Wisconsin to slip in the rankings, as the Badgers lost some of their early-season fire.

20. Florida State (1-2, 02- ACC)
Last poll rank: Not ranked

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

Next competition: November 20-22 at Georgia Tech Invitational

Losing to a very strong NC State didn’t matter to the panel, as Florida State sneaks into the top 25 on the basis of some impressive swims from the Seminoles, including a nation-leading 47.23 in the 100 fly by Connor Knight.

21. Minnesota (2-3, 1-1 Big Ten)
Last poll rank: 19

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

Next competition: November 20-22 at Arena Grand Prix-Minneapolis

The Golden Gophers fought hard in their away meet against Florida, using their depth across all events to keep the meet fairly close and impress the coaches panel.

22. Princeton (1-1, 0-0 Ivy League)
Last poll rank: Not ranked

Results
L at Ohio State (11/7-8), 209-136
W vs. Denison (at Ohio State) (11/7-8), 262-91

Next competition: November 21 vs. Cornell

Princeton opened up competition with a two-day meet in Ohio, showcasing their strong freshman and sophomore class and getting themselves into the top 25.

23. Utah (6-0, 1-0 Pac 12)
Last poll rank: Not ranked

Results
W vs. Colorado Mesa (10/3-4), 297-67
W vs. Air Force Academy (at Colorado Mesa) (10/3-4), 259-113
W vs. BYU (at Colorado Mesa) (10/3-4), 236-136
W at UNLV (11/1), 192-102
W vs. Arizona (at UNLV) (11/1), 187-113
W vs. Colorado Mesa (11/7), 179-101

Next competition: December 4-6 at Texas Invitational

Utah has been cleaning up in the win column this season, and their defeat of Arizona for the second year in a row – as well as defeating Colorado Mesa for the second time this season – got them into the top 25.

24. Georgia Tech (5-3, 3-1 ACC)
Last poll rank: 15

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

Next competition: November 20-22 at Georgia Tech Invitational

Georgia Tech slipped big in the rankings after losing to in-state rival Georgia.

25. Notre Dame (1-2, 0-1 ACC)
Last poll rank: Not ranked

Results
Dennis Stark Relays (10/10), first place
L vs. Purdue (11/1), 161-139
W vs. Pittsburgh (11/7-8), 286-84
L vs. Virginia Tech (11/7-8), 201-169

Next competition: Friday vs. Michigan State

Notre Dame got their dual meet season rolling with a loss to Purdue, but rebounded by splitting the result in their tri-meet against Virginia Tech and Pittsburgh. Equal contributions in swimming and diving helped the Irish land in the top 25.

More CSCAA college rankings:
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