Arkansas hasn’t won an outdoor national title since 2003. That’s an eon for a program that has topped the podium 13 times, including eight in a row from 1993 to 1999. After finishing runner-up last year, the Razorbacks are back, better than ever, and favored by the National TFRI to win the title in 2024. Arkansas brings 13 entries to TrackTown USA, two of which headline the 2024 seasonal Descending Order List: the 4×400 relay with its 2:59.03; and Wayne Pinnock in the long jump with his wind-aided 8.25m (27-0¾) effort. Don’t count out Romaine Beckford in the high jump, either: Beckford might sit fourth now, but he has won each of the past three high jump crowns offered at the NCAA Championships between indoor and outdoor.

Alabama has never reigned at the NCAA Championships, let alone finished better than third. That might change in 2024, as the Crimson Tide are ranked second going into Eugene, Oregon. Alabama carries 11 entries with them, of which seven rank among the national top-5 with two national-leading marks: Tarsis Orogot in the 200 meters at 19.75; Chris Robinson in the 400-meter hurdles at 47.95. Both are also on the nation’s second-ranked 4×400 relay at 2:59.06.

Two-time defending champion Florida is third with 14 entries to its name. The Gators hope to get points from athletes spanning across 11 events from the 100 meters to the javelin throw. Florida has multiple entries in the 200 meters, 400 meters and long jump. You have to go back all the way to 2008 to find the last time the Gators finished off the podium at this meet.

Southern California sits fourth and is peaking at the right time. The Trojans, who arrive from Los Angelos with 13 entries, set six PRs over two days at the NCAA DI West First Round in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Five of those 13 entries rank among the national top-5, including a big jump of 8.15m (26-9) by Johnny Brackins Jr. in the long jump that is the wind-legal leader.

Texas A&M has an outside shot at the podium, according to the National TFRI, in fifth. The Aggies hauled in 11 qualifiers and will hope Sam Whitmarsh can deliver ten big points for them in the 800 meters (Whitmarsh is the national leader at 1:44.46 from back in March).

Here are the rest of the top-10 teams in Week 10: No. 6 Texas Tech, No. 7 Texas, No. 8 Houston, No. 9 LSU and No. 10 Nebraska.

The 2024 NCAA DI Outdoor Track & Field Championships are next week at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon.