The NCAA National Indoor Championships are just around the corner, and the US Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) has released the latest edition of the NCAA DI Men’s Indoor Track & Field National Rating Index for the 2023 season.
This edition, according to the USTFCCCA release, only includes marks from the current season, which provides an unbiased look at the teams expected to compete for podium spots at the 2023 NCAA DI Indoor Track & Field Championships this weekend in Albuquerque, New Mexico. – Read more: Top Stanford freshmen Willis, Whittaker, set for 2023 NCAA Indoor Championships
Arkansas is the favorite to win its 21st national title in program history and first since 2013. The Razorbacks are bringing 15 entries with them to the Albuquerque Convention Center, with seven performances ranking among the national top-5 this season, including national-leading marks from Jaydon Hibbert in the triple jump at 17.10m (56-1¼) and the 4×400 relay at 3:01.53.
The University of Washington is second going into the Championships with 15 entries. The Huskies have six entries in the mile event alone, with five of the six ranked among the top-6 nationally. Joe Waskom is at No. 2, Brian Fay at No. 3, Nathan Green at No. 4, Luke Houser at No. 5, and Aidan Ryan at No. 6.
Washington also features the second-ranked DMR and has two athletes who could add to the team total in both the pole vault (Jacob Englar) and weight throw (Jayden White).
Meanwhile, Texas Tech has nine entries into the NCAA Championships, with national-leading marks in both the 60 meters – Terrence Jones, with his blistering 6.46 secs and Courtney Lindsey’s flashing 20.20 secs in the 200 meters.
The Red Raiders also have two top-5 athletes in the 60-meter hurdles (Caleb Dean and Antoine Andrews) and the second-best mark in the pole vault thanks to Zach Bradford at 5.83m (19-1½).
Florida is ranked fourth going into the NCAA Championships. The Gators have finished top-2 at three of the past five Championships, including back-to-back crowns in 2018 and 2019, while Alabama sits in fifth place, with a slim chance of making the podium.
Elsewhere, defending champion Texas is ranked at No. 6, and is followed by the Tennessee at No. 7, Georgia at No. 8, Oklahoma State at No. 9, and Nebraska at No. 10.
For more information and a deeper look at the ratings, please visit here
| National Rank | Team | Conference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arkansas | SEC (1) |
| 2 | Washington | Independent |
| 3 | Texas Tech | Big 12 (1) |
| 4 | Florida | SEC |
| 5 | Alabama | SEC |
| 6 | Texas | Big 12 |
| 7 | Tennessee | SEC |
| 8 | Georgia | SEC |
| 9 | Oklahoma State | Big 12 |
| 10 | Nebraska | Big Ten |
| 11 | Louisville | ACC |
| 12 | Southern California | Independent |
| 13 | Stanford | Independent |
| 14 | Northern Arizona | Big Sky (1) |
| 15 | Florida State | ACC |
| 16 | Oklahoma | Big 12 |
| 17 | Kentucky | SEC |
| 18 | Wisconsin | Big Ten (1) |
| 19 | LSU | SEC |
| 20 | Mississippi State | SEC |
