Check out the Saucony Flo50 XC Countdown, where FloTrack ranks the top 31 cross country teams in the NCAA this season. The No. 25 spot goes to Michigan State this year, and here's why:

Probable Top Five:

SR Sherod Hardt (8:04 3K; 14:09 5K; 54th at '15 NCAA XC)
SR Clark Ruiz (14:08 5K; 29:20 10K; 199th at '15 NCAA XC)
JR Max Benoit (8:44 3K SC; 202nd at '15 NCAA XC)
SR Nick Soter (14:22 5K; 204th at '15 NCAA XC)
RSFR Justine Kiprotich (3:45 1500; 2nd at '15 Big Ten 1500)

Impact Freshman/Transfers:

Morgan Beadlescomb via Algonac, MI (9:03 3200; 4x Michigan State Champ; 10th at '15 NXN)
Brayden Law via Fort Wayne, IN (4:11 1600; 9:08 3200; 21st at '15 FL XC)

Analysis:

It's a good thing senior Sherod Hardt will return to the Michigan State squad this fall, because three of the Spartans' top seven from 2015 (All-American Caleb Rynard, TJ Carey and Andrew Cusmano) are gone. Hardt was close to an All-American finish last fall, and saw huge improvements in the 3K (8:23 to 8:04) and 5K (14:25 to 14:09) this track season. He was their top finisher in Louisville, but not in every race. If Hardt can take on the task of being a leader, the Spartans could see their first All-American since Rynard in 2013.

Clark Ruiz, Max Benoit and Nick Soter finished together in Louisville last November, and if they can translate that pack mentality to lower finishes, the Spartans 1-4 could be solid. A huge question mark in the MSU lineup is who their fifth athlete will be. Justine Kiprotich ran 3:45 and finished runner-up to Brannon Kidder in the Big Ten 1500m this spring, but has little cross country experience. Middle distance athletes don't always run cross, but Kiprotich's raw talent could prove to be just what the Spartans need this fall.

Previously:
#26 Villanova
#27 Louisville
#28 Tulsa
#29 Iowa State
#30 Illinois
#31 NC State