Follow our 2017 FloXC Countdown, where FloTrack ranks the top 25 cross country teams and individuals in the NCAA this season which will be LIVE on FloTrack. The No. 1 women's spot goes to Colorado, and here's why:

Probable Top Five:

JR Dani Jones (4:08 1500; 9:02 3K; 16:12 5K; 1st at '17 NCAA 3K; 5th at '17 NCAA 1500; 22nd at '16 NCAA XC)
SR Kaitlyn Benner (9:09 3K; 15:56 5K; 26th at '16 NCAA XC)
SO Maddie Boreman (9:46 3K SC; 4:19 1500; 2nd at '17 NCAA 3K SC)
SO Sage Hurta (4:18 1500; 10:07 3K SC; 40th at '16 NCAA XC)
JR Makena Morley (15:58 5K; 33:29 10K; 76:23 Half Marathon; 17th at '17 NCAA 10K)

Analysis:

Although the Colorado women's team wasn't able to defend the No. 1 season ranking when they finished third last year, the Buffaloes have earned the right call themselves No. 1 this year for a number of reasons.

Even without a projected top-10 individual finisher at last year's NCAA championship, the Buffaloes still executed a tight pack within All-American range. Led by Dani Jones's 22nd-place finish, the top five scorers all placed within the first 42 finishers of the race for a 134-point total. Although Oregon and Michigan surged ahead for the upset with 125 and 126 points, respectively, the Buffaloes were not far behind and return with even more strength in the low scoring pack.

All five of the projected scorers return with stellar track seasons on their resumes and are ready to do some damage this fall. Dani Jones is back after winning the NCAA Indoor 3K and distance medley relay where track fans got to see her unbeatable kick in action. She continued the momentum during the outdoor season where she placed fifth in the 1500m at the NCAA Outdoor Championships and later ran a 1500m personal best of 4:08 in Portland.

A newcomer to keep an eye on is Maddie Boreman, who made great strides during the outdoor track season when she repeatedly lowered her steeplechase personal best to a jaw-dropping 9:46 as a freshman. She went on to place a breakthrough second in the event at the NCAA Outdoor Championships.

Consistent scorer and now senior Kaitlyn Benner returns after placing 26th as the team's No. 2 runner at last year's NCAA cross country championships.

Sophmore Sage Hurta executed an impressive freshman track season when she competed in the semifinal of the steeplechase at the NCAA outdoor championships and contributed as part of the NCAA title winning DMR. Makena Morley should also return as a top scorer after finishing as a finalist in both the NCAA indoor 5K and outdoor 10K last spring.

Not only does Colorado boast these talented athletes, but the Buffaloes also return several more women to round out a top notch squad, notably top-43 NCAA XC scorers Tabor Scholl and Mackenzie Caldwell.

With more depth than any team in the NCAA, the Colorado Buffaloes have earned the right to call themselves the No. 1-ranked team.

FULL WOMEN'S RANKINGS HERE