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. And, be sure to watch our LIVE FloXC Podium Reveal Show Tuesday September 12th at 10AM CT. The No. 6 men's spot goes to BYU, and here's why:

Probable Top Three:

JR Rory Linkletter (7:58 3K; 13:49 5K; 28:58 10K; 2nd at '17 NCAA 10K; 32nd at '16 NCAA XC)
JR Clayton Young (7:49 3K; 13:45 5K; 28:45 10K; 10th at '17 NCAA 5K; 77th at '16 NCAA XC)
FR Casey Clinger (4:02 Mile; 8:44 3200; 1st at '16 NXN; 1st at '15 NXN)

Fourth/Fifth Man Battle:

SR Jonathan Harper (7:59 3K; 13:54 5K; 29:05 10K; 101st at '16 NCAA XC)
JR Connor McMillan (13:53 5K; 29:13 10K; 16th at '16 NCAA 10K; 84th at '15 NCAA XC)
JR Spencer Hanson (8:15 3K; 14:13 5K; 29:22 10K; 92nd at '16 NCAA XC)
FR Jacob Heslington (4:06 Mile; 14:09 5K; 8:43 3K SC; 10th at '17 NCAA 3K SC)

Impact Freshmen/Transfers:

Casey Clinger via American Fork, UT (4:02 Mile; 8:44 3200; 1st at '16 NXN; 1st at '15 NXN)
Patrick Parker via American Fork, UT (4:03 Mile; 9:03 3200)
Garrett Barton via Ogden, UT (4:10 1600; 8:51 3200)

Analysis:

The BYU men return four of their top five scorers from the squad that placed seventh in Terre Haute last year. The Cougars lose No. 1 man Nicolas Martinez, who broke into the top ten with a ninth-place run, but reload with perhaps the nation's top cross country recruit in homegrown talent Casey Clinger.

The Utah native is the only male in the history of Nike Cross Nationals to win two individual titles, with wins in 2015 and 2016. Even with a 3200m track PR of 8:44, Clinger seems to have a natural affinity for cross country and will be a solid No. 3 behind proven All-Americans Rory Linkletter, who stormed to a runner-up finish in the 2017 NCAA Outdoor 10K, and Clayton Young, who finished just 77th in Terre Haute last year but has logged an impressive 17th/10th place double at NCAA Outdoors in the 10K and 5K. His PRs are also slightly faster than Linkletter's, with a 28:45 10K and 13:45 5K to his credit.

Behind the big three, the Cougars look to returning scorers Spencer Hanson and Jonathan Harper, who placed 92nd and 101st, respectively. Both runner had different degrees of success this spring, as Harper broke 14 minutes for 5K for the first time and placed 24th at the NCAA West Prelims, while Hanson raced just twice this spring.

A wildcard could be Conner Mantz, who rejoins the team after spending the last two years on a mission trip in Ghana. He was a three-time Foot Locker All-American and ran 8:53 for two miles while in high school, though he may be a better bet to contribute next season with more training under him.

FULL MEN'S RANKINGS HERE