It's Iowa week!

[clucas11]

What does everyone think? My prediction below:

125 I think Ayala may get the better of Hildebrant (3-0 Iowa)
133 RBY over DeSanto but I think its only a regular decision (3-3)...if DeSanto goes. If not, Iowa in trouble there
141 Hopefully Eierman wrestles...should be a dandy. I'll take Eierman in a close one (6-3 Iowa)...not sure Nick Lee is completely healed on the knee
149 I think Murin beats BB (9-3 Iowa)...this is a toss up
157 K. Young over whoever PSU sends out (12-3)
165 Marinelli over Berge in a close one (15-3)
174 CStar gets it done again over Kemerer and his bum shoulder (15-6)
184 AB over Assad in a major (15-10)
197 Dean back on the winning track (15-13)
285 I think Kerk gets it done over Cass (16-15 PSU)

No margin for error in what should be a tightly contested dual. Iowa being at home (AGAIN!) will be an advantage, but PSU has proven an ability to go on the road and win big. Can't wait for this match.

 

[WV lion]

What does everyone think? My prediction below:

125 I think Ayala may get the better of Hildebrant (3-0 Iowa)
133 RBY over DeSanto but I think its only a regular decision (3-3)...if DeSanto goes. If not, Iowa in trouble there
141 Hopefully Eierman wrestles...should be a dandy. I'll take Eierman in a close one (6-3 Iowa)...not sure Nick Lee is completely healed on the knee
149 I think Murin beats BB (9-3 Iowa)...this is a toss up
157 K. Young over whoever PSU sends out (12-3)
165 Marinelli over Berge in a close one (15-3)
174 CStar gets it done again over Kemerer and his bum shoulder (15-6)
184 AB over Assad in a major (15-10)
197 Dean back on the winning track (15-13)
285 I think Kerk gets it done over Cass (16-15 PSU)

No margin for error in what should be a tightly contested dual. Iowa being at home (AGAIN!) will be an advantage, but PSU has proven an ability to go on the road and win big. Can't wait for this match.

Lee beats eirman. eirman less than impressive this year

 

[WV lion]

What does everyone think? My prediction below:

125 I think Ayala may get the better of Hildebrant (3-0 Iowa)
133 RBY over DeSanto but I think its only a regular decision (3-3)...if DeSanto goes. If not, Iowa in trouble there
141 Hopefully Eierman wrestles...should be a dandy. I'll take Eierman in a close one (6-3 Iowa)...not sure Nick Lee is completely healed on the knee
149 I think Murin beats BB (9-3 Iowa)...this is a toss up
157 K. Young over whoever PSU sends out (12-3)
165 Marinelli over Berge in a close one (15-3)
174 CStar gets it done again over Kemerer and his bum shoulder (15-6)
184 AB over Assad in a major (15-10)
197 Dean back on the winning track (15-13)
285 I think Kerk gets it done over Cass (16-15 PSU)

No margin for error in what should be a tightly contested dual. Iowa being at home (AGAIN!) will be an advantage, but PSU has proven an ability to go on the road and win big. Can't wait for this match.

25 and 49 toss ups

 

[Tryingtodoitright]

I like Beau over Murin. Sure it’s a toss up but I believe Beau is ready for this one.

 

[clucas11]

25 and 49 toss ups

Agreed

 

[IronLion]

What does everyone think? My prediction below:

125 I think Ayala may get the better of Hildebrant (3-0 Iowa)
133 RBY over DeSanto but I think its only a regular decision (3-3)...if DeSanto goes. If not, Iowa in trouble there
141 Hopefully Eierman wrestles...should be a dandy. I'll take Eierman in a close one (6-3 Iowa)...not sure Nick Lee is completely healed on the knee
149 I think Murin beats BB (9-3 Iowa)...this is a toss up
157 K. Young over whoever PSU sends out (12-3)
165 Marinelli over Berge in a close one (15-3)
174 CStar gets it done again over Kemerer and his bum shoulder (15-6)
184 AB over Assad in a major (15-10)
197 Dean back on the winning track (15-13)
285 I think Kerk gets it done over Cass (16-15 PSU)

No margin for error in what should be a tightly contested dual. Iowa being at home (AGAIN!) will be an advantage, but PSU has proven an ability to go on the road and win big. Can't wait for this match.

I think Hildebrandt and Lee both win. I don’t think Brooks majors Assad. I love Brooks, think he’s our single most likely wrestler to repeat, but I think we underestimate Assad and he’ll keep it to a decision at home.

 

[SonnyAbeFan]

What does everyone think? My prediction below:

125 I think Ayala may get the better of Hildebrant (3-0 Iowa)
133 RBY over DeSanto but I think its only a regular decision (3-3)...if DeSanto goes. If not, Iowa in trouble there
141 Hopefully Eierman wrestles...should be a dandy. I'll take Eierman in a close one (6-3 Iowa)...not sure Nick Lee is completely healed on the knee
149 I think Murin beats BB (9-3 Iowa)...this is a toss up
157 K. Young over whoever PSU sends out (12-3)
165 Marinelli over Berge in a close one (15-3)
174 CStar gets it done again over Kemerer and his bum shoulder (15-6)
184 AB over Assad in a major (15-10)
197 Dean back on the winning track (15-13)
285 I think Kerk gets it done over Cass (16-15 PSU)

No margin for error in what should be a tightly contested dual. Iowa being at home (AGAIN!) will be an advantage, but PSU has proven an ability to go on the road and win big. Can't wait for this match.

Pretty even-handed assessment. I like it.

I’ll take Hildebrandt over the kid. The kid is showing a lot, but Hildebrandt is crafty and he’ll hold off the kid. IMHO, of course.

To show that I can attempt not to be strictly a homer as well, I’m going to take Kemerer over Starocci. The old man has looked damn good, and the home crowd will have him geared up.

The other I’m worried about going the wrong way is Dean and Warner. If anything, it’ll be mid season slump and then back to terminating.

Don’t get me wrong. I’ll be thrilled to be wrong.

 

[Tom McAndrew]

 

[Tom McAndrew]

 

[clucas11]

Lets just hope that both teams are full strength and we actually get to see all of these matchups.

 

[BaccaFarmer]

Lets just hope that both teams are full strength and we actually get to see all of these matchups.

If lower weights tilt towards PSU, I think it likely that TnT will save his upper weights for an all out push at the Big 10’s. Quack Quack!

 

[Tryingtodoitright]

As far as Kemmerer over Carter goes, I’m not so sure that that arm/shoulder wrap won’t come into play. I’ve seen the ref holding up that arm after a match and it seemed that Kemmerer had all he could do to not wince once or twice. Granted, his arm was held up which means he won. Switching gears and call me naive but it never seems to baffle me how an official can be persuaded by a crowd. 15,000+ rabid Iowa fans seems to have a big influence on some of those guys. I’m guessing PSU has more than one truly bad/homer call against him.

 

[Tom McAndrew]

 

[pabison]

Selective memory. They forgot to post the national championship final.

 

[Tom McAndrew]

Selective memory. They forgot to post the national championship final.

to nobody's surprise.

 

[Tryingtodoitright]

Not saying I’m 100% comfortable with these but it’s being held at CHA. Normal starters going.
125 PSU 3-0.
133 PSU 6-0.
141 PSU 9-0.
149 PSU 12-0.
157 IA 12-3.
165 IA 12-6.
174 IA 12-9.
184 PSU 13-9.
197 PSU 16-9.
Hwt PSU 19-9.

 

[TangSoo]

Aah, what the hell:
125 PSU 3-0 (Major if it's not Ayala)
133 PSU 6-0
141 PSU 9-0 (not a slam dunk given Nick's recent injury and health issues)
149 Iowa 9-3 (I'm really trying to be impartial here. Really enjoy Beau's wrestling)
157 Iowa 9-6 (My pick of the bunch to upset Young would be a full sized Gardner, but Young gets the win.
165 Iowa 9-9 (not a slam dunk, don't like the style matchup. Don't think the ankle pick will be there and Bull is really good with position and keeping low).
174 PSU 12-9 Carter will be ready
184 PSU 15-9
197 Iowa 15-12
HWT PSU 19-12 Calling a Kerk major. He's that good.

 

[Still in State Colllege]

Interesting match-up. I like Murin to win. He is a pretty tough 149. I would be surprised if any of the PSU's 157's can beat Young as much as I like seeing him lose.

Really excited to see 165, 174 and 285. At 165 I think we learn a lot about what Berge's ceiling is at this weight. Is CStar's leap going to be seen against an elite opponent. Kerk v Cass is a real contrast in styles and it will be interesting to see which is superior.

I don't think that 141 is that much of a toss up. I think winning the title has really propelled Lee forward (based mostly on FS).

 

[Tom McAndrew]

 

[SonnyAbeFan]

Not saying I’m 100% comfortable with these but it’s being held at CHA. Normal starters going.
125 PSU 3-0.
133 PSU 6-0.
141 PSU 9-0.
149 PSU 12-0.
157 IA 12-3.
165 IA 12-6.
174 IA 12-9.
184 PSU 13-9.
197 PSU 16-9.
Hwt PSU 19-9.

Ahhh...now I see the problem. Brooks only got one team point. I suspect one team point was deducted because Cael threw a chair onto the mat, and the second team point was deducted when Cael grabbed the PA mic and told the Iowa fans to shut up. Great prediction!

 

[Tryingtodoitright]

Ahhh...now I see the problem. Brooks only got one team point. I suspect one team point was deducted because Cael threw a chair onto the mat, and the second team point was deducted when Cael grabbed the PA mic and told the Iowa fans to shut up. Great prediction!

Oops. Math. Is. Hard.
Good catch!

 

[SonnyAbeFan]

Interesting match-up. I like Murin to win. He is a pretty tough 149. I would be surprised if any of the PSU's 157's can beat Young as much as I like seeing him lose.

Really excited to see 165, 174 and 285. At 165 I think we learn a lot about what Berge's ceiling is at this weight. Is CStar's leap going to be seen against an elite opponent. Kerk v Cass is a real contrast in styles and it will be interesting to see which is superior.

I don't think that 141 is that much of a toss up. I think winning the title has really propelled Lee forward (based mostly on FS).

I love all 3 sets of predictions. Tough matches to call.

141 is particularly tricky because Nick hasn't been 100% and neither has Eierman. IMHO, Eierman is a tough style matchup for Nick because he's strong and funky, but Nick is so dogged and determined and he knows how to finish against crazy scramblers. When Eierman went upper body in the finals last year, that position (IMHO) favors Eierman, but Nick just simply won the position, because Nick has become that good. I really don't know which way to go. I'm just going to root my a$$ off for Nick and call it a day.

I humbly disagree about taking too much from Berge's performance on Friday. It's his 3rd (or 4th?) match, so if he hangs tough with the Bull, I'll be pleased. Remember, the Bull had wars with Cenzo. Their matches were amazing. Berge's tough and good, I think he'll keep it close.

I'm changing my mind on 97. No doubt. Max is going to dominate.

Let's not sleep on DeSanto either. We all assume an RBY victory based on RBY "figuring out" DeSanto and elevating his game, but DeSanto is too good and the Hawks simply HAVE to adjust to RBY's adjustment. DeSanto will feed off this crowd, particularly if he gets an early lead. And RBY hasn't been quite as crisp and sharp as last year (yet).

Lastly, 125 is pivotal, in my mind. Hildebrandt is a veteran, and I think he can handle the moment. Ayala comes in as an underdog with nothing to lose. He's got amazing pace (resembling DeSanto) and talent to boot. So can Hildebrandt slow the pace and then grind him down in the 2nd and 3rd? I say yes.

Every other matchup is terrific but I've used up my word allotment.

 

[Georgialion]

What does everyone think? My prediction below:

125 I think Ayala may get the better of Hildebrant (3-0 Iowa)
133 RBY over DeSanto but I think its only a regular decision (3-3)...if DeSanto goes. If not, Iowa in trouble there
141 Hopefully Eierman wrestles...should be a dandy. I'll take Eierman in a close one (6-3 Iowa)...not sure Nick Lee is completely healed on the knee
149 I think Murin beats BB (9-3 Iowa)...this is a toss up
157 K. Young over whoever PSU sends out (12-3)
165 Marinelli over Berge in a close one (15-3)
174 CStar gets it done again over Kemerer and his bum shoulder (15-6)
184 AB over Assad in a major (15-10)
197 Dean back on the winning track (15-13)
285 I think Kerk gets it done over Cass (16-15 PSU)

No margin for error in what should be a tightly contested dual. Iowa being at home (AGAIN!) will be an advantage, but PSU has proven an ability to go on the road and win big. Can't wait for this match.

I’ll take 125 and 141 in the good guy’s column and say not as close as the Iowa fans want.

 

[Tom McAndrew]