[Farm93]

Was 3rd an under-performance for the men?  Are there implications for the NCAA Championships with that finish?

3rd an under-performance?  Yes
Some courses are better for some runners than others.   Some days the conditions and tactics are just not ideal for your athletes. 

Implications for NCAAs?  As close to zero as you can get.  Some psychological impact of having the runners suffer a relatively weak performance at the start of November.   If they are the best team in Terre Haute later in the month it won't matter if they finished 1st or 7th in today's event.

[Farm93]

Was 3rd an under-performance for the men?  Are there implications for the NCAA Championships with that finish?

3rd an under-performance?  Yes
Some courses are better for some runners than others.   Some days the conditions and tactics are just not ideal for your athletes. 

Implications for NCAAs?  As close to zero as you can get.  Some psychological impact of having the runners suffer a relatively weak performance at the start of November.   If they are the best team in Terre Haute later in the month it won't matter if they finished 1st or 7th in today's event.