No team made a bigger jump in this week’s FloTrack NCAA team rankings — men or women — than the Alabama men.

The Crimson Tide are currently tied for second with Washington in our projected rankings, this after slotting in at seventh in the previous edition of the list. (Our rankings are based on projected point totals at NCAAs).

So why the big jump?

Alabama was boosted by huge performances over the weekend from thrower Ruben Banks and the school’s 4x400m squad, with the junior Banks now leading the nation in the weight throw (23.88m) and the relay team currently fourth in the NCAA with its 3:03.28 victory at Clemson on Friday. 

Banks’ mark marked a huge breakthrough for him; his previous best (23.09m) set earlier this season is over two and a half feet behind the 23.88m he popped over the weekend.

Ruben Banks takes home the crown in the men's weight throw invitational with a new personal-best 23.88-meter (78-4.25) throw 🤝#RollTide pic.twitter.com/GghdbU3sEp

— Alabama Track & Field (@AlabamaTrack) February 9, 2024

With Banks now the favorite to win NCAAs in his event, he joins sprinter teammates Tarsis Orogot (200m) and Khaleb McRae (400m) as top ranked athletes in their respective events, per our rankings. Orogot was second in the indoor 200m last year, while McRae’s 45.13 is No. 1 in the NCAA, even accounting for the altitude-conversion (he ran 45.02 in Albuquerque).

Khaleb McRae: Runner of the Week 🫡

🔺Posted a new personal best 45.02 / 45.13 converted)
🔺The national leader in the 400m
🔺 Holds the fastest time in the world this season in the 400m#RollTide | @SEC pic.twitter.com/bSPDOMINjV

— Alabama Track & Field (@AlabamaTrack) February 6, 2024

This team’s title potential is limited by their lack of depth, as Alabama will reach the podium in Boston only if each of Orogot, McRae, Banks and the 4x400m team perform up to expectations. Top-ranked Arkansas’ floor is considerably higher as they project to have seven individual All-Americans and top 8 squads in the 4x400m and DMR as well

Even so, Alabama’s star power at the top of their roster gives them a shot at a national title despite having no margin of error. The Crimson Tide are currently projected for 35 points at NCAAs, which is just nine points behind the No. 1 Razorbacks. Arkansas (and Washington for that matter) would have to really slip up to give ‘Bama a shot, but the squad from Tuscaloosa has at least put themselves in the conversation with their performances over the weekend.