Dogbone

As someone who doesn't cheer for PSU, I don't think of myself as a hater but perhaps as a non PSU fan the shoe fits. I also have wondered this and think it is a combination of a few things 1) PSU has a disproportionate amount highly ranked wrestlers who are in big matches that draw attention. So it seems like they are involved in getting calls but others have benefited as well. For example, Dean's win the quarters was big but not the only bad call at NCAAs that year or in other years but we remember it because he won the title. 2) Because they have some of the best wrestlers, their reaction time/wrestling IQ/quick twitch, whatever probably create more 50/50 calls. 3) Stars do get calls and they probably get the benefit of the doubt on 50/50 calls.

Oh wow, another transfer that had nothing to do with NIL... Someone wake me when a wrestler says I went to XXX school because they gave me the highest NIL offer.

I just hope Bartlett is okay. After the PD he took injury time and they (on TV broadcast) they didn't even look at his knee. Hopefully it isn't getting ignored after such a close call

Ben went 87-0, partly because he didn't have to wrestle Pendleton anymore. He was 65-1 in Fresh & Soph years when he wasn't wrestling CP so wasn't like he turned a large corner his Jr and Sr years. His kryptonite just graduated.

Ragusin rode Van Dee for 1:57 seconds and Nagao is better on top. It could be a 1 TD match but I think Nagao is better on the mat at this point in their careers.

125, 141, 157, and 184 are the toss ups, imo. I don't think Robb over Haines would be a huge upset, but I am probably giving Robb a mulligan on his 4 match losing streak and think he is closer to the guy we saw last year and early this year. Haines is the pick and favorite tho. I know Van Dee just beat Ragusin but Nagao seems like a style problem as Nagao does the things Van Dee does but better. To me that would be a bigger upset than Robb over Haines. Taylor still seems undersized for 165. Great win last week but that was the first time Amine had been on the mat in a while.

I am going 8-2. 26-6 PSU, with some very competitive matches and PSU wining most of the toss ups at home.

Trophy Team! Amazing work by @Wrestleknownothing to compile on the data!

Lovett.

I don't think stress caused Gable to need a new hip. I also never said stress doesn't age one. I only disagreed with the claim that "every time a coach throws a fit matside (see Gable/Smith) it ages them more"

I don't think stomping your feet or "throwing a fit" matside ages anyone, especially high level matches. So we don't acknowledge that. Gable's body didn't breakdown because of his actions during duals. Brands isn't getting pushed out. He still runs the 2nd best program in the country. That was not the case for Zelesky who also didn't have a dynasty like PSU to go up against. He took over after Iowa set the scoring record and 3 of his titles were his first 3 seasons after Gable left. Never follow a legend. There is a reason Alabama had to settle for their 4th or 5th guy before hiring Saban's replacement.

Meat in gravy... You have my attention.

I just was trying to provide another example of "carvered" that had a different style than the one the OP gave. Had nothing to do with validity just that Carvered can happen to anyone regardless of the style. My bad if that wasn't clear.

Iowa always starts at 125 as well so that is what I would expect.

I am saying guys can get Carvered regardless of the style of the match (shootout/chess match, whatever) and not just in the shootout way like Guerrero/Schwab match played out. It is not the match style but the environment.

Alex Meyer beat Mark Hall his freshman year and Meyer wasn't a shootout type guy. I believe as Hall has told his version his adrenaline was too high to start the match and he gassed by the end not because of Meyer's pace but the environment. Carvered.

But Bartlett is favored by rankings....

To me, David/Ayala is a toss up and wouldn't count as "Carvered" That is just me as I think it pertains to upsets, ala Mark Hall

I am guessing he will wrestle him similar to his approach v. AJ. A lot of hand fighting and not a lot of shots hoping to steal a TD at the end.

My original prediction had Iowa only winning two but I now think either Messenbrink or Kasak get Carver'd and lose. Can Arnold only go 1 more time? I would really like to see him against Starocci after all of their trash talking but I doubt Iowa throws him out there at 174.

Last years point totals: 1. Penn State 137 1/2 2. Iowa 82 1/2 3. Cornell 76 1/2 4. Ohio State 70 1/2 With PSU scoring 30ish more points this year and the remaining contenders fairly even, 80-85 points gets you a trophy for sure and likely a Silver one.

I don't see it. Regardless, you have to win the B1G tourney to get the #1 seed at NCAAs. PSU doesn't strike me as a team that cares that much about winning the B1Gs or their seed. It is all about NCAAs so unless they think facing Woods twice is better than three times (highly unlikely), ducking doesn't provide a benefit.

Someone is going to finish 8th who thought they had a chance to finish 2nd. It's that even. The trophy race (outside of PSU) is going to be fascinating this year.

As someone mentioned that is a lot of freshman that would not only need to be AA but high AAs to get significant points at NCAAs, but the team is probably stronger since only Surtin graduates. With NIL and transfer portal you might be able to build a stronger lineup next year with O'Toole and Rocky than the 2026 team with a lot of freshman and KOT and Rocky.

125 Mich dec. 3-0 133 Mich MB 7-0 141 Neb dec. 7-3 149 Neb dec. 7-6 157 Neb dec. 7-9 165 Mich dec 10-9 174 Mich MD 14-9 184 Neb dec 14-12 197 Neb dec. 14-15 HWT Mich MD 18-15 I have it 5 matches to 5 but bonus points the difference. Nebraska could steal 125 but Michigan can steal 141, 149 and 157 from my prediction so more margin for error.