The Ohio State wrestling team is quietly putting together another solid season, but in a break from previous years, it’s not considered one of the top two teams in the Big Ten. That goes to Penn State (as usual), and the No. 1 ranked Iowa Hawkeyes.
That’s right. Iowa was once the model program of college wrestling, showing up at No. 1 on an almost yearly basis, but has been a bit out of sight over the last few years. After going on a ridiculous run beginning in 1975 and winning a staggering 23 national titles, it slipped beginning in 2010.
Ever since then, Penn State has taken the baton as the country’s best program with Ohio State a close second. In fact, the Nittany Lions have won eight of the last nine national titles. The Buckeyes are the only other team to win one in that time period (2015).
But now, Iowa is back on top — at least ranking wise. The Hawkeyes are 7-0 overall in dual-meets and 4-0 in conference. And it’s been total domination. The closest any team has come in a dual-meet setting is when Nebraska lost 26-6. That in itself is a blowout, but the other six have been even worse.
Iowa’s individual talent is overwhelming. It has the No. 1 ranked wrestler according to Intermat at 125 lbs (Spencer Lee) and 149 lbs (Pat Lugo). Every other weight class is in the top-ten — often in the top five. The Hawkeyes’ weakest link is at 141 lbs with Max Murin (dripping with sarcasm).
That means a couple of things for the No. 4 ranked Ohio State wrestling team as it prepares to do battle Friday night. The challenge of staying with the Hawkeyes is a daunting one, but it’s also a great opportunity.
We’ve entered enemy territory. pic.twitter.com/aGzHRDqFJd
— Ohio State Wrestling (@wrestlingbucks) January 25, 2020
The Buckeyes have had to struggle through the season with injuries and competition to see who’s going to be the No. 1 at several weight classes. OSU has somehow found a way to fight through it all and lose just one close dual-meet against Virginia Tech earlier in the season. If it can find a way to take out a loaded Iowa team in the overall dual-meet points, it would obviously be huge.
But here’s the problem. The Buckeyes will be favored in only two of the team’s matches. Even with bonus points that would be nowhere near enough to pull off the upset. It’s going to need guys like Ethan Smith and Sammy Sasso to pull off a shocker or two while holding serve with Luke Pletcher and Kollin Moore to have a chance.
Either way, if you want to see some good wrestling, tune into BTN at 9PM Friday night.
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