4

Life’s certainties: death, taxes and Stanford at #1 in STACK's Elite 50 College Rankings. For the second consecutive year, the men and women of Palo Alto claim bragging rights for the top book-learning and sport-playing institution in college-land. Though not a donkey-stomp rout like last year, Stanford still claimed eight number 1 sports and 17 top-15 squads to retain the crown. The mad props given by U.S. News to the “Harvard of the West” doesn't hurt their annual rankings.

47

Amazingly, Florida nailed down the number two overall ranking with only one top-ranked sport [softball]. However, the Gators improved a tad this year with 15 top-15 squads and a better U.S. News rank [47]. Plus, Tim Tebow goes to school in Gainesville [note: no atmosphere bonus points were awarded for his return to “The Swamp”]. The final scoreboard shows Florida missing the Elite 50 championship by 15.83 points, but the Gators finished much closer to Stanford than last year’s runner-up.

28

Consistency is the name of the game in North Carolina, as the Tar Heels claim their third consecutive top 5 overall finish [number one in ’07 and number three in ‘08]. Known for their prowess on the hardwood, UNC also dominates the diamond with an Elite 50 “Triple Crown” [three years running as our top baseball program]. Combine a well-respected U.S. News Rank [28] with 11 top-15 teams, and what you get is a ton of Chapel Hill love from our complicated formula.

47

The Longhorns corralled more points this year [72.61] than last [72.30]; yet surprisingly they dropped from number two overall to number four.What gives? Well, everything might be bigger in Texas, but unfortunately the ‘Horns couldn’t hook a top overall sport this year. Some Lone Star diehards might wrangle that 12 top-15 teams should vault their beloved Longhorns to the top spot, but that will only happen when the U.S. News recognizes UT as a valid readin’ and writin’ school [number 47 this season].

26

The Trojans burst into the top 5, thanks to a sneaky four-sport attack, led by the football squad’s three-peat. Women’s golf, men’s tennis and men’s T&F also ranked number one. A solid ’09-’10 athletic season by the men and women of Troy—coupled with continued school success—could result in an ambush for next year’s top spot.

27

Michigan drops a bit from their number four '08 ranking, but the Wolverines still mark their territory as this year's top grapplers, checkers and women's rubber runners in Elite 50 land.

24

If John Wooden were to build an Elite 50 Pyramid to Success, the foundation would consist of five Bruin teams ranked in the top 5, which might lead to a pinnacle placement next year

10

The Blue Devils' backbone is their top-five men's and women's basketball programs, but this year the lax squad stole the number one overall to spot to solidify Duke's number eight overall ranking.

21

Thanks to a sturdy academic reputation and their men's and women's pool prowess, the "Chlorine" Bears improved seven spots from last year's showing.

61

A&M should stand for "Acceleration & Mechanics" because the Aggies' top 10 overall finish was due to the anchor leg of men's and women's T&F.