NCAA Pre-Season 2025-2026

[rlayt]

Can we chat about what we hope to see, how to watch, who to watch?

I haven’t seen much but I’ve been off of social media a lot. I wonder how Tiana looks at UCLA?

Can we talk now and here about how to watch college gymnastics? https://collegegymnews.com/2025/01/01/how-to-watch-college-gymnastics-in-2025/

 

[blake]

Way early, but I predict top 5 at the end of regular season to be LSU, UF, OU, UCLA, and Utah in some order. I don't think any other teams can match their scoring potentials barring upsets, but I think there's been an upset in every regionals since the new format started in 2019, so never say never. I think Bama, MSU, and Arkansas have strong potential to advance to nationals.

I would love to see Stanford make it to Nationals again. And then Cal is a completely different team this year, so I'm curious to see how they fare. I'll also be watching to see how Iowa does in their second season with Jen Llewellyn - they have a strong freshman class coming in.

 

[cuuf]

The host sites for regionals are LSU, Kentucky, Arizona State and Oregon State. So obviously LSU will go through, Kentucky I could see being a "surprise" as a result of them hosting. I dont see Arizona state or oregon state with the firepower to pull a surprise. So OU, LSU, Florida, Utah.

My stretch predictions: UCLA will have a dissapointing season, not a bad one mind you, just not where the general expectations are given last year. They lost A LOT of scoring from that senior class, and while the freshman are talented and they get perhaps a slightly distracted Chiles back, I just dont see it that many freshman scoring at that level to match the those top 4.

I also think Alabama is going to surprise and make evening SEC session.

 

[irichluck21]

Auburn is going to be a sleeper in the SEC.

It will be interesting to see who qualifies to regionals in those last few spots based on the new formula for NQS.

 

[RedBirdie]

Spencer has his annual rosters and depth charts up

NCAA Rosters and Depth Charts — 2026

Visit the post for more.

balancebeamsituation.com

 

[david]

The host sites for regionals are LSU, Kentucky, Arizona State and Oregon State. So obviously LSU will go through, Kentucky I could see being a "surprise" as a result of them hosting. I dont see Arizona state or oregon state with the firepower to pull a surprise. So OU, LSU, Florida, Utah.

My stretch predictions: UCLA will have a dissapointing season, not a bad one mind you, just not where the general expectations are given last year. They lost A LOT of scoring from that senior class, and while the freshman are talented and they get perhaps a slightly distracted Chiles back, I just dont see it that many freshman scoring at that level to match the those top 4.

I also think Alabama is going to surprise and make evening SEC session.

I agree that if UCLA ends up exclusively relying on their freshman to fill in the blanks from last year's graduates, they could struggle. I think they're going to need help from folks in other classes to fill some of those holes. What I've seen from preseason videos that's looking encouraging is improvements from Rosen (Y1.5 is back and looking good), Barros (looking strong and upgraded on bars, beam and floor), Alipio (adding bars - only seen the dismount but its a beautiful giant full connected to toe on front tuck half), and Hoffman (nice Y1.5). Also, if Fujisaka is healthy and back to where she was pre-injury, she could add to the slate of new routines across multiple events. Even if they just get her back on UB that would be a big boost to that lineup.

 

[irichluck21]

UCLA's freshman class is ridiculously talented and will fill in many holes.
Sullivan in the AA. Sumanasekera on VT/BB/FX, Matthews on UB/BB/FX, Eichman on UB.

I think they will be just fine, but definitely not top 2 like last year.
I think they will make Nationals and have an outside chance at Final Four.
Certainly in the same boat as Utah.

If I had to guess my top 4 it would be Oklahoma, LSU, Florida, and Michigan State.