LSU has demonstrated its elite status through a remarkable season that demands attention. Stellar performances from the Tigers! The tight point differential between UCLA and LSU has left the gymnastics community puzzled about the lack of a potential ranking change. With UCLA holding a narrow edge, fans are left wondering. Why hasn’t LSU moved ahead yet? The answer lies in the numbers.

The Paris Olympic bronze medalist Jordan Chiles has been a driving force behind UCLA’s success this season. But as the gymnastics world dissects the numbers, it’s raising speculation that LSU has an opportunity to shift the balance. The question remains: what is their NQS equation that is giving them this edge?

The numbers tell a fascinating story, as highlighted by a tweet on X. A closer look at the NQS calculations reveals just how tight the race is between UCLA and LSU. According to the latest projections, UCLA holds an NQS of 197.455, with the highest possible score of 197.605 next week. Meanwhile, LSU sits just behind at 197.42 but has a higher ceiling of 197.71. The math is clear, you know! LSU needs just 196.8 to surpass UCLA’s current NQS and 197.55 to overtake their highest possible score. This slim margin has fueled debate among NCAA gymnastics fans, especially given LSU’s recent dominance in competition. If the Tigers can continue their streak of high-scoring performances, they may be on the verge of shaking up the rankings.

The reigning national and SEC champion #2 LSU gymnastics team returned home for the biggest meet of the 2025 season. The No. 2 LSU gymnastics team delivered an emphatic performance on their home floor, which produced a victory against the top-ranked Oklahoma team in front of 13,386 enthusiastic spectators who created the third-largest crowd in PMAC history. During the competition, Kailin Chio achieved the top overall score of all Oklahoma Sooners athletes with 39.725 at the event. Against all expectations, the Tigers achieved a game-altering win against the number one Oklahoma squad. “Big night. Big win,” the team celebrated their win. With their 198.050-197.675 victory, the team proved their ability to compete for the national title apart from simply winning the meet.

However, NQS operates on more than just raw scores. It follows a precise formula that explains why the standings remain unchanged for now.

Breaking down NQS: What kept UCLA ahead in the rankings

The NCAA gymnastics rankings don’t rely on simple win-loss records. Instead, they are determined by the National Qualifying Score (NQS), a formula that ensures consistency across the season. As one fan pointed out in a viral tweet on X, “Yes, because that’s not how NQS math works.” So, how does it actually work? NQS is calculated by taking a team’s top six scores from the season. However, there’s a catch—the highest score is dropped, and the remaining five are averaged. Additionally, at least three of these scores must come from away meets. This structure ensures that rankings reflect a team’s overall stability rather than just a few standout performances.

One major factor keeping UCLA ahead in the rankings is the incredible performance of Jordan Chiles. At the competition on February 2, Chiles appeared despite a high fever which had reached 104 degrees the previous week to deliver an unblemished Prince medley on the floor obtaining a perfect score. The mental strength shown by Chiles allowed UCLA to edge out No. 5 Michigan State by winning 197.300-197.200. Chiles stood as the catalyst behind UCLA maintaining a 197-point mark for four straight competitions which both improved their NQS performance and secured their top position in the rankings.

But with LSU’s recent dominance and a higher possible NQS ceiling, the real question is can the Tigers close the gap and finally overtake UCLA in the coming weeks? Let us know your thoughts on this in the comments.