[M T]

I believe ranking is based on how the team is expected to do at Nationals.  One such prediction (without diving considered) is at SwimCloud.  [has Stanford #5 at nationals] ...

I was wrong.  The CSCAA ranking at NCAA.com is based on dual meet performance.  See CSCAA

The predictions seem quite confusing.
Back in December, SwimSwam gave Cal a slight edge over Stanford in their power ratings. But if you look at the Swimulator (based on current to-date times), Stanford is ranked 7th per top-times, but just edged out of first (by NC State) per average times.  Swimcloud (above) still shows Stanford as #5.

Conference championships across the country are happening now, so swimmers' top times are going to improve during this 2 weeks.  When all the dust settles and we see which events will be swum by which swimmers, it will become clearer.  But it is clear now that no team is overwhelming dominant.   One might run away with Nationals but I don't think it is quite yet clear.

[M T]

I believe ranking is based on how the team is expected to do at Nationals.  One such prediction (without diving considered) is at SwimCloud.  [has Stanford #5 at nationals] ...

I was wrong.  The CSCAA ranking at NCAA.com is based on dual meet performance.  See CSCAA

The predictions seem quite confusing.
Back in December, SwimSwam gave Cal a slight edge over Stanford in their power ratings. But if you look at the Swimulator (based on current to-date times), Stanford is ranked 7th per top-times, but just edged out of first (by NC State) per average times.  Swimcloud (above) still shows Stanford as #5.

Conference championships across the country are happening now, so swimmers' top times are going to improve during this 2 weeks.  When all the dust settles and we see which events will be swum by which swimmers, it will become clearer.  But it is clear now that no team is overwhelming dominant.   One might run away with Nationals but I don't think it is quite yet clear.