NCAA Men's Division 1 Championship Predictions

Michigan State for the win.

I'd say Nova, but that would be a different thread (although I think they'll be closer to 12-14).

Ok St probably should win, but they've had such mixed results in big meets the last few years. Stanford always seems to peak well at Nat's and I just can't help but wonder if Oregon has been playing possum all season. The talent they have should lead to better results.

Can we put to rest finally the idea that Oregon is "playing Possum" or somehow intentionally tanked at regionals. They didn't. That does not mean they still can't run much better but they certainly didn't blow it at home intentionally.

Poor choice of words on my part. I didn't mean to imply they did in intentionally, just that I don't think we've seen their best.

I think that Oregon took the slight risk of training through the Regional race (and Pac-10 too). It is there only chance to make the podium and is worth the risk. It will probably not be enough, just as the same strategy, with more room because Big 10/GW Regional are easier for Wisconsin and it will not be quite enough for them either. If the seniors run really well, they (UW) could be third, but so far the frosh/soph/junior are leading the way (even though Reed Connor had not too great a race last time or two).

Men's individual: Sam Chelenga

Men's team: Stanford

1-OSU

2-Stanford

3-Portland

4-Colorado

Individual sleeper- McNeill, NAU

Winner- Chelanga

1. Stanford

2. OSU

3. CU

4. Syracuse

1. Ok State

2. Stanford

3. Alabama

4. Wisconsin

5. Oregon

GO BYU!

1. Stanford

2. OK State

OK State's 5th man will struggle and Stanford will overcome.

Top 10 somewhat in order:

Chelanga, Derrick, McNeil, Kosgei, Fernandez, Bumbalough, Mead, Heath, Puskedra, Vail.

Closeby: Bethke, Kirwa, Kipchumba, Sheridan

Good selections, but I would amend slightly, as I don't believe Sammy has the strength or tactics to outlast Derrick over 10K. I say:

Derrick

McNeil

Kosgei

Fernandez

Vail

Heath

next 5 anyone's guess?

What place was Sammy last year?

1,5,20 for stanford after going 1,2,3 at regionals without their third man (jake riley)? Rethink that logic a little. Once again, people are ignoring the obvious.

This year will be quite interesting. Stanford has just been so dominate all year...but it is impossible to not to give the nod to OK State. They literally could have 4 guys in the top 10...but I see either Lowe or Mecheso falling apart. Kosgei will lead them, with Vail and Fernandez not too far behind. I think OK State goes something like 3, 8, 12, 28, 37 for a total of 88 points before individuals are taken out for the win. Stanford will not be far behind (if they are at all) though, and could put all 5 of their guys before OK State's 4th if something happens to, again, either Lowe or Mecheso. I think it will go...

1. OK State - just too damn good. It's really not fair.

2. Stanford - they will give OK State everything they've got...I honestly think it won't be enough tho.

3. NAU - yes they had a horrible Regionals, but they are a talented group. Look for them to be top 5 at least.

4. Alabama - i've been riding the Crimson Tide wave all year. Their kenyans are very good, but not the toughest of runners. If its cold, count them out.

5. BYU - revenge of the 25 year olds! A very impressive regionals, and I think they'll do it again at the big dance.

6. Syracuse - they will run in a pack and finish with a 30 second spread from 25ish to 60ish.

7. Colorado - Whetmore, although with a less talented squad then previous years, always has his boys ready when it counts.

8. Georgetown - not the best average team time at Regionals (don't know how hard the course is) but could have 2 in the top 15.

9. Oregon - they may have been training through regionals, they may have not. We will see. Personally, I think they repeat their performances.

10. New Mexico - pretty solid top 3. Should be top 10.

Darkhorses for top 10: Portland, Providence, Arkansas. Portland may very well get top 10, I just didn't feel like ranking them. Providence has great power up front, lets see if their 3-5 guys can gut it out. Arkansas actually impressed me this weekend with Ulrey and Haile going 1-2 seemingly with ease, and their #3 (Boyer?) has apparently run a 29:06 10k on the track. They will be hurting bad with their 4 and 5, and the only reason they are a darkhorse is if their 4 and 5 can run very, very well, they have a shot. Realistically, put them 15-20. It would be cool to see them back in the top 10 tho, its been a couple years.

Individuals...top 10 are ranked, with the next 10 being 11-20 or surprising to get top 10.

1. Sam Chelanga - Liberty

2. Chris Derrick - Stanford

3. John Kosgei - OK State

4. Hassan Mead - Minnesota

5. Ryan Sheridan - Iona

6. Andrew Bumbalough - Georgetown

7. Ryan Vail - OK State

8. Elliot Heath - Stanford

9. Dorian Ulrey - Arkansas

10. Felix Kibioywo - Auburn

German Fernandez

Solomon Haile

David McNeil

Lee Carey

Jacob Kirwa

Rory Frazier

Colby Lowe

Luke Puskedra

Justin Marpole-Bird

Barnabas Kirui

We'll see how everything plays out. Good luck to everyone participating at the NCAA meet.

miles batty and byu's squad will put it together.

i think Ok state will take it with stanford a close second. But in reality it will be which ever one of these teams has the better day. could there possibly be a tie?

also i think chelanga will take the title. yes chris derrick beat him at prenats. but if chelanga runs smart he will win, he is the 10k collegiate record holder after all.

oh and go syracuse!

Why no love for William and Mary? They won their region with 49 points over 4 other qualifing teams.

1.OK State

2 Stanford

3 NAU

4 Oregon

5 Wisconsin

6 W&M

7 Colorado

8 Alabama

9 Portland

10 BYU