pin2win
@hagertony
This is the matchup of season for both teams. The Hawkeyes are 15-1 overall, 5-0 in the Big Ten. Penn State is 8-0, and 5-0 in the Big Ten. Iowa leads the all-time series 25-7-2, along with a 12-3 advantage in Iowa City but we all know Penn State hasn’t been good since Cael Sanderson took the job. Cael has never won in Carver Hawkeye Arena and I can guarantee he will have his boys ready for this dual. Penn State has the #1 spot and many thought they would run away with another title this year but many are thinking twice about that early prediction.
The dual Friday will be broadcasted live by BTN, beginning at 8:00 PM. If you do not have access to BTN you can follow live updates on our forums at http://www.hawkeyenation.com/forum/wrestling/ or follow me on twitter @hagertony.
Projected starters
No. 1 Penn State (8-0, 5-0 Big Ten) vs. No. 3 Iowa (15-1, 5-0 Big Ten)
125: No. 1 Matt McDonough (13-0) vs No. 2 Nico Megaludis (16-1)
133: No. 2 Tony Ramos (16-0) vs Jordan Conaway (10-4)
141: No. 8 Mark Ballweg (15-1) vs Bryan Pearsall (16-6)
149: Michael Kelly (10-6) vs No. 8 Andrew Alton (17-1)
157: No. 1 Derek St. John (16-0) vs No. 5 Dylan Alton (17-2)
165: No. 13 Nick Moore (11-3) vs No. 2 David Taylor (17-1)
174: No. 6 Mike Evans (11-2) vs No. 4 Matt Brown (17-2)
184: No. 14 Ethen Lofthouse (12-4) vs No. 1 Ed Ruth (19-0)
197: No. 19 Nathan Burak (12-8) vs No. 3 Quentin Wright (18-0)
285: No. 6 Bobby Telford (11-3) vs No. 17 Jon Gingrich (14-5)
Predictions:
125:
This match will be a difficult one for Matt “MCD” McDonough in a rematch of last year’s 125lb championship. MCD will do his homework this week on Megaludis. This is not just another match for MCD. I think he will want to make a statement and win a convincing match by decision. It will be close but I think MCD will be in control the whole time.
Iowa 3-0
133
Ramos is too much for Conway and will get some much needed bonus points. We all know how well Ramos wrestles at Carver. Big stage Big points. Carver will start to get electric as Ramos is a fan favorite with his attitude on and off the mat.
Iowa 7-0
141
Ballweg has been stepping up and this time I feel like there will be a lot more pressure on him because the media has been blowing him up. We will see how he reacts but I do think he gets the win. I think this will be a close match as Pearsall is solid all around
Iowa 10-0
149
This is a tough one to call on wether or not Kelly will give up bonus points. Kelly wrestled the full seven minutes last dual and really think he can do it again tonight. Alton is very very dangerous as many found out last year. I don't think Alton steps up to get bonus points here but wins by decision solely based of Kelly having better conditioning. (watch out for fall)
Iowa 10-3
157
DSJ proves why he is #1 and wins a well contested battle against Alton. Alton will be in the top 4 at nationals and could make the finals depending on seeding. This is a big test for DSJ and Carver will get behind him to bring it home!
Iowa 13-3
165
Moore is going from a big win to a big bashing against Taylor. Taylor is more physical, longer, and scrappier than Moore and gets the tech fall with multiple tilts. Kyle Dake is the only one to slow down Taylor at this weight class.
Iowa 13-8
174
Break out your fake mustaches and support Mr. Evans as this is a BIG match for him going forward and very important in this dual. This one could go down to over time and you know Carver will give him the extra gas in the tank to get the job done. Evans thrives in Carver
Iowa 16-8
184
Ruth doesn't let up and Lofthouse won't be able to keep up. Lofthouse won't be able to score from his feet which are the only opportunities to score points against Ruth. This one could get ugly if Lofthouse can't slow him down. For sure a major but could see big bonus points
Iowa 16-12
197
I think this is a good match up for fans. Burak is lanky like Wright so I think he will be able to have a solid defense. The problem last dual was Burak can't finish a shot and unless Wright is tired from the travel. Penn State arrived Thursday night so don’t count on it
Iowa 16-16
285
Telford has the upper hand here and wins the dual for Iowa. Carver will be electric!
Iowa 19-16
Join the pre-dual discussion at http://www.hawkeyenation.com/forum/wrestling/55810-iowa-vs-penn-state-friday.html
The dual Friday will be broadcasted live by BTN, beginning at 8:00 PM. If you do not have access to BTN you can follow live updates on our forums at http://www.hawkeyenation.com/forum/wrestling/ or follow me on twitter @hagertony.
Projected starters
No. 1 Penn State (8-0, 5-0 Big Ten) vs. No. 3 Iowa (15-1, 5-0 Big Ten)
125: No. 1 Matt McDonough (13-0) vs No. 2 Nico Megaludis (16-1)
133: No. 2 Tony Ramos (16-0) vs Jordan Conaway (10-4)
141: No. 8 Mark Ballweg (15-1) vs Bryan Pearsall (16-6)
149: Michael Kelly (10-6) vs No. 8 Andrew Alton (17-1)
157: No. 1 Derek St. John (16-0) vs No. 5 Dylan Alton (17-2)
165: No. 13 Nick Moore (11-3) vs No. 2 David Taylor (17-1)
174: No. 6 Mike Evans (11-2) vs No. 4 Matt Brown (17-2)
184: No. 14 Ethen Lofthouse (12-4) vs No. 1 Ed Ruth (19-0)
197: No. 19 Nathan Burak (12-8) vs No. 3 Quentin Wright (18-0)
285: No. 6 Bobby Telford (11-3) vs No. 17 Jon Gingrich (14-5)
Predictions:
125:
This match will be a difficult one for Matt “MCD” McDonough in a rematch of last year’s 125lb championship. MCD will do his homework this week on Megaludis. This is not just another match for MCD. I think he will want to make a statement and win a convincing match by decision. It will be close but I think MCD will be in control the whole time.
Iowa 3-0
133
Ramos is too much for Conway and will get some much needed bonus points. We all know how well Ramos wrestles at Carver. Big stage Big points. Carver will start to get electric as Ramos is a fan favorite with his attitude on and off the mat.
Iowa 7-0
141
Ballweg has been stepping up and this time I feel like there will be a lot more pressure on him because the media has been blowing him up. We will see how he reacts but I do think he gets the win. I think this will be a close match as Pearsall is solid all around
Iowa 10-0
149
This is a tough one to call on wether or not Kelly will give up bonus points. Kelly wrestled the full seven minutes last dual and really think he can do it again tonight. Alton is very very dangerous as many found out last year. I don't think Alton steps up to get bonus points here but wins by decision solely based of Kelly having better conditioning. (watch out for fall)
Iowa 10-3
157
DSJ proves why he is #1 and wins a well contested battle against Alton. Alton will be in the top 4 at nationals and could make the finals depending on seeding. This is a big test for DSJ and Carver will get behind him to bring it home!
Iowa 13-3
165
Moore is going from a big win to a big bashing against Taylor. Taylor is more physical, longer, and scrappier than Moore and gets the tech fall with multiple tilts. Kyle Dake is the only one to slow down Taylor at this weight class.
Iowa 13-8
174
Break out your fake mustaches and support Mr. Evans as this is a BIG match for him going forward and very important in this dual. This one could go down to over time and you know Carver will give him the extra gas in the tank to get the job done. Evans thrives in Carver
Iowa 16-8
184
Ruth doesn't let up and Lofthouse won't be able to keep up. Lofthouse won't be able to score from his feet which are the only opportunities to score points against Ruth. This one could get ugly if Lofthouse can't slow him down. For sure a major but could see big bonus points
Iowa 16-12
197
I think this is a good match up for fans. Burak is lanky like Wright so I think he will be able to have a solid defense. The problem last dual was Burak can't finish a shot and unless Wright is tired from the travel. Penn State arrived Thursday night so don’t count on it
Iowa 16-16
285
Telford has the upper hand here and wins the dual for Iowa. Carver will be electric!
Iowa 19-16
Join the pre-dual discussion at http://www.hawkeyenation.com/forum/wrestling/55810-iowa-vs-penn-state-friday.html
Last edited:
