Jimmy Cinnabon

If Davis beats Ayala this week he could even move to #1 at 125

A healthy SVN would probably be top 3 at 149

If you're Brands and you want to maximize your chances of beating Penn State do you consider putting in Gabe Arnold at 184 to take out Truax? I think if you don't do this you risk Truax winning by bonus vs Riggins (4 points) and by inserting Arnold you get a 7 point swing if he wins by decision. Heck, Truax might even get pinned again. You send Kennedy out at 174 and tell him to turtle and try to keep Stallroci to a decision. Glazier can probably keep Brooks to a decision too.

All 10 wrestlers ranked in the top 10. Mesenbrink is the 2nd lowest ranked wrestler. Average wrestler ranking: 3.6 125 Davis 2 133 Nagao 6 141 Bartlett 1 149 Kasak 10 157 Haines 1 165 Mesenbrink 7 174 Stallroci 1 184 Truax 6 197 Brooks 1 HWT Kerk 1

What if Spencer retired tomorrow and said, "I want the head coach position." How would Hawkeye nation react? Tell him to wait until the Brands retire?

He's still deadlifting in his underwear in the U of Iowa weightroom, fwiw.

Make a fair poll on this site and if fewer than 3 people want me to stay on this board I will leave willingly. Fair means it has to be objectively worded like "Do you want Jimmy Cinnabon to permanently leave this forum?" and leave the poll open for at least 1 week to get a sufficient sample size.

Yes, but only if you leave forever if Penn State does not shut out Iowa. Deal?

First off, I think a Penn State shutout of Iowa is EXTREMELY unlikely. The dual is at CHA which mean Iowa will get some benefit from the refs. I think they win at least 4 of 10 matches (Ayala, Woods, Franek, Caliendo). However, if Penn State managed to shut out the Hawks this would be a first...and also two huge losses in a row for Iowa. Would this actually cause the Brands' seats to become warm or even hot?

This. On the flip side Bartlett wins but never dominates anyone. As someone else said, Bartlett is the 141 pound version of Will Lewan at this point.

He's pretty thinly built. He doesn't have a gut like most heavyweights. If he actually tried to bulk I bet he could get up to 275 easily. He has a giant frame.

Bartlett has never beat Woods. Woods has much more offense and is a better rider than Beau. Beau can win if it goes to OT, but he just doesn't pull the trigger enough on offense. Re: Franek over Haines. Franek is very good and Haines looks worse than last year. That is why it's not crazy to pick Franek over Haines.

Sure. I think you are underestimating how good Caliendo is.

Realistic prediction: 125 Ayala dec Davis 3-0 133 Nagao dec Schriever 3-3 141 Woods dec Bartlett 6-3 149 Kasak dec Rathjen 6-6 157 Franek dec Haines SV1 9-6 165 Caliendo dec MM 12-6 174 Stallroci dec Kennedy 12-9 184 Truax dec Riggins 12-12 197 Brooks dec Glaizer 15-12 PSU HWT Kerk dec Hill 18-12 PSU

He's undefeated and crushing guys. Yet 0 mention of him as a Hodge contender.

Given that he pinned Spencer Lee last year I think this is a reasonable take.

The transfer portal + NIL

125 Davis 7th - a very good true freshman season. The bright lights get to him a bit so he doesn't place higher. Still good enough to AA. 133 Nagao 5th - he turns it on at NCAAs but inconsistency in neutral lands him at 5th, again 141 Bartlett 2nd - loses a tight final to Woods 149 Kasak 2-2 - He's been doing well but drops a match early and his lack of size at 149 catches up to him in March. 157 Haines 3rd - Hasn't looked as dominant this year, still AAs again. 165 Mesenbrink 3rd - Super loaded weight, his struggles on bottom prevent him from reaching the finals. 174 Starocci 1st - although he won't bonus in the finals this year. I could see Welch as his finals opponent 184 Truax 4th - Consistent as usual, not enough neutral offense to beat the very top guys at the weight. 197 Brooks 1st - Wins the Hodge in dominant fashion HWT Kerk 1st - Bonus in the finals, dominant tournament Penn State finishes with 9 AAs, 3 champs and 4 finalists. Penn State obviously wins the team title comfortably. Michigan takes second.

https://gopsusports.com/sports/wrestling/roster/lucas-cochran/15257

This would have been a better joke:

How many did Iowa get against Michigan?

Teske Woods Voinovich Franek Caliendo Cruz Harris Swafford

I've never seen it before, but it allowed Woods to avoid being pinned, apparently.

A lot of the Bucks looked small for the weight but I was impressed by the power and strength.

Kudos to Ohio State, their guys brought it. 125 - Davis lost this match. Kilkeary should have had 3 TD plus 2 NF at the end of the match. All the more impressive given how small Kilkeary looked. Davis may be undefeated but he's definitely not a lock to AA. 133 - Nagao is either sick or has regressed. He's now lost two matches in a row where he looked terrible on his feet. As of now I can't project him placing higher than 7th. 141 - Bartlett got it done and will be ranked #1 with Woods losing. However, I still favor a couple guys above him in March, including Woods, who he has never beat. 149 - Kasak looks great. The shirt is burned and he's winning despite being a 141 pounder. 157 - Haines looked good 165 - MM showed he has a weak spot...bottom. He was ridden like a mule and top 165 pounders may choose top to grind him down. He still won though 174 - Stallroci looked human. Actually had to stall the last 30 seconds to preserve a win against a freshman. 184 - Truax also looks to have regressed. As of now I think he won't be 4th or higher. I'd put him at 5-8 right now. Just limited offense and suspect defense. 197 - Brooks just took the lead for the Hodge HWT - Kerk looks great. Overall Penn State looks human though...it may not be a 50 point blowout at NCAAs in March.