1.  Florida Gators

2.  Alabama Crimson Tide

Official Web Site: Link Schedule Roster
Starting Routines Returning: 17/24
Head Coach: Rhonda Faehn
Assistants: Adrian Burde, Robert Ladanyi
Returning Starters (8):  Bridgette Caquatto (So), Mackenzie Caquatto (Sr), Bianca Dancose-Giambattisto (So), Kytra Hunter (Jr), Alaina Johnson (Sr), Jamie Shisler (Jr), Bridget Sloan (So), Rachel Spicer (Jr)
Other/Injured Returners (3):  Morgan Frazier (So), Lauren Rose (Sr), Kiersten Wang (Jr)
Graduated (4):  Ashanee Dickerson, Marissa King, Dali Lemezan, Randy Stageberg
Other Losses (0):  N/A
Newcomers (2):  Claire Boyce, Sophia Colussi-Pelaez
Quick Assessment:  The defending Champions are looking to begin a Gator Dynasty by successfully defending their title in April.  They'll be led by NCAA Champion Sloan, who is looking better than ever in Fall training.   Her biggest rival may be across the gym:  2012 AA champ Hunter.  Add in 2013 NCAA UB champion Johnson and you have at as potent and experienced 1-2-3 punch as any in the country.   What's more, five time All American Mackenzie Caquatto is looking stronger than ever on all four events in pre-season training.  The loss of Dickerson and King is huge, especially in the leg events.  Aside from Hunter, this 2014 Florida squad is typified by style and quality of execution, rather than big tumbling skills and "beyond 10.0" vaults.  The two frosh extend this trend, with elite polish and long lines.  This squad may not throw as many FIG "E" level skills as others, but what they do compete, they compete with exceptional grace and execution.  

Official Web Site: Link Schedule Roster
Starting Routines Returning: 17/24
Head Coach: Sarah & David Patterson
Assistants: Dana Duckworth, Brian Raschilla
Returning Starters (7):  Lauren Beers (So), Kaitlyn Clark (Jr), Sarah DeMeo (Sr), Lora Leigh Frost (Jr), Kim Jacob (Sr), Diandra Milliner (Sr),  Kayla Williams (Jr)
Other/Injured Returners (4):  Hunter Dennis (Jr), Ria Domier (Sr), Lindsey Fowler (Sr), Carley Sims (so)
Graduated (4):  Becca Alexin, Marissa Gutierrez, Ashley Priess, Ashley Sledge
Other Losses (2):  Olivia Carisella (Sr), Brooke Parker (TR, Michigan)
Newcomers (6):  Katie Bailey, Amanda Jetter, Keely McNeer, Dominique Pegg, Mary Lillian Sanders, Aja Sims
Quick Assessment:  Bama will surely miss a strong senior class, led by Priess and Sledge.  The talent, experience and leadership of a such a strong class of athletes is difficult to instantly replace.  However, Bama's stellar incoming class could quickly make this squad deeper and stronger than last year.  The Tide will be led this season by DeMeo, Jacob and Milliner.  All three seniors are looking strong in preseason training, and look to be set for strong final campaigns.  Returnees Clark, Williams and Beers also look stronger than last season, making the core of the squad solid.  The big question that remains is how quickly will the frosh adjust to collegiate life and competition, and who among the returnees and newcomers will step up to deliver the 9.9+ scores of the departing class.  Will it be Aja Sims or Jetter, or will Williams have a breakout season?  With a large and talented squad, it could be any number of athletes.  One thing you can be certain of, however, is that Bama will deliver.

3.  OU Sooners

4.  UCLA Bruins

Official Web Site: Link Schedule Roster
Starting Routines Returning: 12/24
Head Coach: Valerie Kondos Field
Associate Head Coach:  Chris Waller
Assistant: Randy Lane
Returning Starters (5):  Sadiqua Bynum (Jr), Olivia Courtney (Sr), Sophina DeJesus (So), Danusia Francis (So), Sydney Sawa (Sr/I)
Other/Injured Returners (5): Ellette Craddock (RS So), Mattie Larson (Jr), Christine "Peng Peng" Lee (I/RS Fr), Dana McDonald (Jr), Samantha Peszek (RS Jr/I)
Graduated (5):  Kaelie Baer, Monique de la Torre, Alyssa Pritchett, Lichelle Wong, Vanessa Zamarripa
Other Losses (1):  Asi Peko
Newcomers (6):  Angi Cipra, Mikaela Gerber, Jessy MacArthur, Hallie Mossett, Jennifer Pinches, Alex Waller
Quick Assessment:  UCLA has the largest lost routines from departed gymnasts of any team in the Top 25.  Half of their routines are missing, and they won't have the benefit of hosting Nationals this season. Plus, it's hard to replace the leadership and scoring potential of a Zamarripa.  Fortunately, the Bruins will look to the return of Peszek to help propel the team back to Nationals.  Oliva Courtney and Danusia Francis will need to be right there with Peszek, to help stabilize the bottom half of the Bruin lineups.  Coach Kondos will also need bigger and more consistent contributions from a heathier squad of returnees, like Sawa and DeJesus, to give the frosh some time to adapt.  The frosh could deliver that impact, in particular Gerber, Mossett and Cipra.  With Lee out with an injury and Pinches working her way back into form, the Bruins will be looking for a number of step-up performances this season.    

5.  LSU Tigers

6.  Utah Utes

Official Web Site: Link Schedule Roster
Starting Routines Returning: 21/24
Head Coach: D-D Breaux
Assistants: Jay Clark, Bob Moore
Returning Starters (9):  Rheagan Courville (Jr), Kaleigh Dickson (Sr), Lloimincia Hall (Jr), Jessie Jordan (Jr), Maliah Mathis (Sr), Sarie Morrison (Sr), Britney Ranzy (Jr), Jessica Savona (So), Randii Wyrick (So)
Other/Injured Returners (4): Casey Duvall (Sr), Lainie Fleming (Sr), Mckenzie Fox (Sr), Michelle Gauthier (So)
Graduated (2):  Ericka Garcia, Britney Taylor
Other Losses (1):   Randi Lau
Newcomers (4):  Sydney Ewing, Ashleigh Gnat, Shonacee Oliva, Shae Zamardi
Quick Assessment:  LSU returned to the Super Six in powerful fashion last season, and will look to continue their rise to National Title contenders this season.  They will be led once again by Courville and Hall, with strong contributions from a strong supporting cast, especially Jordan, Morrison, Wyrick and Savona.  What's scary for the rest of the NCAA is that the young Tiger squad loses just three routines from 2013.  They could easily find those missing routines among the returnees, but they add a strong quartet of incoming athletes, led by Gnat.  Gnat competed some very high level skills as a Level 10, including a nice double twisting layout Yurchenko.  With the confidence and consistency building forward from last season, LSU may be ready to challenge the leaders for that National Title.  With experience, standout stars, high levels of difficulty and depth, the Tigers will be a force to be reckoned with this season. 

Official Web Site: Link Schedule Roster
Starting Routines Returning: 24/24
Head Coaches: Greg and Megan Marsden
Assistant: Tom Farden
Returning Starters (9):  Georgia Dabritz (Jr), Nansy Damianova (Sr), Lia Del Priore (Sr), Hailey Hansen (Sr), Breanna Hughes (So), Mary Beth Lofgren (Sr), Kassandra Lopez (Jr), Becky Tutka (Jr), Tori Wilson (Jr)
Other/Injured Returners (3):  Kailah Delaney (Jr), Haley Lange (So), Corrie Lothrop (RS Sr/I)
Graduated (0):  N/A
Other Losses (1):  Taylor Allexx (So)
Newcomers (1):  Baely Rowe
Quick Assessment: The Utes found themselves in unfamiliar territory at the end of the season last year, sitting outside of the Super Six.  Ending in 9th was a reflection of the youth and inexperience of the squad.  The upside of that learning experience is that the Utes are now the only squad in the Top 25 to return their entire starting lineup.  What's more, they welcome back Lothrop, a top AA force in the past.  Lothrop will especially help lend stability to the BB lineup, where the Utes struggled at times.  The mew Utes have emerged as a bit of a power team, showing big E skills on Floor and strong vaulting.  However, it will come down to consistency on BB and eliminating small mistakes on the UB, as the Utes look to challenge for a spot in the Super Six once again.  To this end, Dabritz and Wilson lead the way, with capable support from Lofgren and Damianova.  The latter looks especially strong in training.

7.  Michigan Wolverines

8.  Georgia Gym Dogs

Official Web Site: Link Schedule Roster
Starting Routines Returning: 16/24
Head Coach: Bev Plocki
Assistants: Dave Kuzara, Scott Sherman
Returning Starters (8):  Natalie Beilstein (RS Sr), Briley Casanova (So), Shelby Gies (Sr), Annette Miele (Jr), Joanna Sampson (Sr), Austin Sheppard (So), Sachi Sugiyama (Jr), Reema Zhakharia (Sr),
Other/Injured Returners (2): , Teresa Arthur (Sr), Lindsay Williams (So)
Graduated (2):  Britnee Martinez, Katie Zurales
Other Losses (2): Stephanie Colbert (R/assistant), Morgan Smith (?)
Newcomers (3):  Nicole Artz, Talia Chiarelli, Brooke Parker (JR/TR Bama)
Quick Assessment:   Michigan loses some key leadership and scoring potential in Martinez and especially Zurales, a key AAer.  Last year's squad missed the Super Six, but with a strong returning core and some talented newcomers, the Wolverines will be looking to make that next step up.  Leading the way is Joanna Sampson, who emerged as one of the NCAA's top AA contenders.  Beilstein and Sugiyama are also right in there, while a much improved Sheppard looks ready to make a big impact this season.  Leading the way for the newcomers, at least in training. is Artz.  With a high level of fitness and a corresponding a high skill level, she looks ready to contribute in any number of events.  With some of the best vaulting and hardest tumbling in the NCAA, Michigan's fortunes may rest on how well they handle the pressures of the beam this season.  This is where the loss of Zurales and Martinez hurts the most and where the newcomers and returnees alike will need to step up.   

Official Web Site: Link Schedule Roster
Starting Routines Returning: 16/24
Head Coach: Danna Durante
Assistants: Jay Hogue, Philip Ogletree
Returning Starters (7):  Lindsay Cheek (Sr), Chelsea Davis (Jr), Kaylan Earls (Sr), Cat Hires (Sr), Brandie Jay (So), Sarah Persinger (Jr), Brittany Rogers (So)
Other/Injured Returners (4):  Mary Beth Box (So), Demetria Hunte (Jr), Whitney Kirby (Jr), Anysia Unick (So)
Graduated (4):  Katie Breazeal, Noel Couch, Christa Tanella, Shayla Worley
Other Losses (2):  Bekah Bennetts, Camille Pfister
Newcomers (6):  Ashlyn Broussard, Kiera Brown, Lauren Johnson, Morgan Reynolds, Beth Roberts, Rachel Schick
Quick Assessment:  The new UGA coaching staff got their squad back into the Super Six last season.  The next step in their progression is to make the GymDogs a contender once again for the National title, but just making the Super Six will be tough as it is.  Gone from last year's squad are some key athletes like Couch and Worley.  Replacing Senior leadership is never easy.  But with six newcomers, the staff has many options to work with.  But the veterans form the heart of any team, and the GymDogs will be counting on Cheek, Earls and Hires to provide senior leadership while getting big contributions from Jay and Rogers.  With a full off-season of training and the distractions of the Olympics behind her, Rogers is poised for a big year.  Leading the newcomers in preseason training appears to be Broussard, a talented athlete with big skills.  Brownis also showing well, while some question marks remain around Schick. 

9.  Stanford Cardinal

10.  Nebraska Cornhuskers

Official Web Site: Link Schedule Roster
Starting Routines Returning: 18/24
Head Coach: Kristen Smyth
Associate Head Coach:  Chris Swircek
Assistant:  Tabitha Yim
Returning Starters (9):  Alex Archer (Jr), Melissa Chuang (So), Ivana Hong (Jr), Shona Morgan (Sr), Taylor Rice (So), Samantha Shapiro (Jr), Amanda Spinner (Sr), Kristina Vaculik (RS Jr), Rebecca Wing (Jr)
Other/Injured Returners (3):  Jenna Frowein (So), Pauline Hanset (Jr), Lucy Meyer (Sr)
Graduated (2):  Nicole Dayton, Ashley Morgan
Other Losses (1): Maggie Teets (So)
Newcomers (6):  Rachel Daum, Carinne Gale, Sophia Lee, Danielle McNair, Nicolette McNair, Haley Spector
Quick Assessment:   Stanford fought through a tough Regional meet and produced their best meet of the season in qualifying for the National meet.  Their struggles and subsequent 12th place finish at Nationals do not reflect on the full potential of the squad.  However, gone from that squad are six routines, including AAer Morgan.  The Cardinal will look to healthy, full seasons from the likes of AAers Hong and Vaculik, while Spinner, Shapiro and Wing will lend high scores in their specialties.  Of the returnees, Rice looks to be especially improved in early training.  While the core of veterans is in place, what is really exciting at the Farm is the addition of the strongest incoming classes in the NCAA.  Nicolette McNair will look to step in immediately as an AAer, while we'll see how quickly Lee can regain her elite form.  Daum and Danielle McNair are also coming off strong L10 seasons.  The talent is there, and we'll see how far they can take it this season.   

Official Web Site: Link Schedule Roster
Starting Routines Returning:  15/24
Head Coach: Dan Kendig
Assistants:  Heather Brink, Dan Miller
Returning Starters (5):  Hollie Blanske (So), Jessie DeZiel (Jr), Jennifer Lauer (Jr), Desire Stephens (Jr), Emily Wong (Sr)
Other/Injured Returners (5):  Jordyn Beck (I/RS Fr), Amanda Lauer (So), Ariel Martin (I/RS Fr), Madison McConkey (So), Jamie Schleppenbach (Sr/I)
Graduated (3):  Janelle Giblin, Brittany Skinner, Kassandra Nathe
Other Losses (1):  Kailyn Hawkins (Jr)
Newcomers (2):  Jennie Laeng, Ashley Lambert
Quick Assessment:   Nebraska's season ended abruptly at Regionals with a subpar effort that began on their opening event.  At the start of last season, Coach Kendig voiced concerns with depth, and that proved to be prophetic, as three individuals advanced for the Huskers.  The Huskers also suffered a number of injuries during the year, further reducing their ranks.  This season, depth is once again a concern with just two newcomers.  However, both are expected to contribute strongly this season and work their way into the lineups immediately.  In addition to the two frosh, NU also welcomes back some injured athletes from last season, including potential standout Martin and veteran Schleppenbach, a potential AAer.  While depth remains an issue, the bottom half of the lineup is strong with AAers DeZiel and Wong leading the way.  Also ready for an expanded role is Blanske, who has had an additional year to come back from an injury she suffered prior to the start of the last school year.     

11.  Arkansas GymBacks

12.  Oregon State Beavers

Official Web Site: Link Schedule Roster
Starting Routines Returning: 17/24
Head Coach: Mark and Rene Cook
Assistant: Samantha Cortez
Returning Starters (7):  Sydnie Dillard (So), Heather Elswick (So), Erin Freier (So), Keara Glover (So), Katherine Grable (Sr), Shelby Salmon (Sr), Bailee Zumwalde (Sr)
Other/Injured Returners (2):  Stephani Canizaro (Jr), Scarlett Williams (Sr)
Graduated (3):  Amy Borsellino, Kelci Lewis, Jordan Salsberg
Other Losses (1):  Lily Hardin
Newcomers (5):  Emily Bates, Caillee Ellsworth (JR/TR TWU), Samantha Nelson, Paris Ryder, Amanda Wellick
Quick Assessment:  Arkansas will look for a return trip to Nationals, led by star AAer Grable.  Grable is a potential National threat in the AA, with high levels of difficulty and great lines.  Gone from the squad are three key members of Arkansas squads of the past several years.  In particular, Borsellino had really stepped up her game for her final season.  The GymBacks need the rest of the squad to close the gap between Grable and the rest of the team, and take up the slack created by the graduated Seniors.  Having Canizaro and Williams back in the lineups will help, but it is the frosh will be expected to step in and fill out major roles this season.  Wellick has been a longtime L10 standout, and Ryder and Nelson are coming off solid JO L10 seasons.  How quickly the frosh adapt will tell how strong the Arkansas squad will be come Nationals time. 

Official Web Site: Link Schedule Roster
Starting Routines Returning: 15/24
Head Coach: Tanya Chaplin
Associate Head Coach:  Mike Chaplin
Assistant:  Brian Amato
Returning Starters (7):  Erika Aufiero (So), Kelsey Blalock (RS Sr), Hannah Casey (Sr), Brittany Harris (Sr), Katelyn Ohlrich (Jr), Chelsea Tang (Jr), Cerise Witherby (Jr),
Other/Injured Returners (4):  Taylor Keeker (Jr), Kailie Ponto (Jr), Nicole Turner (So), Jaime Wright (So)
Graduated (4):  Hailey Gaspar, Mel Jones, Stephanie McGregor, Makayla Stambaugh
Other Losses (2):  Sarah Cerami, Sarah Marquez (I)
Newcomers (5):  Maddie Gardiner, Megan Jimenez, Kana Kobayashi, Kaytianna McMillan, Taylor Ricci
Quick Assessment:   The Beavers picked the wrong meet for an uncharacteristic meltdown, suffering numerous falls on UB to fall out of contention for a Nationals berth last season.  The Pac 12 Champions will also be missing standout AAer Stambaugh and fellow All-American Jones.  The loss of such scoring potential and experience will be some large shoes to fill.  Fortunately for the Beavers, they welcome one of their strongest recruiting class in years, led by JO National Champ McMillan and Canadian elite Gardiner.  The core is strong as well, with AAers Harris and Tang and fifth year senior Blalock.  Top sophomore Aufiero also looks strong in preseason training, and other returnees and newcomers will have the opportunity to battle for lineup spots on the large squad.