Penn State-Iowa wrestling predictions: How many matches will the Lions win?

Penn State seeks its fourth consecutive win over Iowa when the No. 1 Nittany Lions (9-0) host the No. 2 Hawkeyes (9-0) Friday night at the Bryce Jordan Center. DraftKings calls head coach Cael Sanderson’s team a 21.5-point favorite to earn its 66th dual meet triumph in a row. The match starts at 7 p.m. ET on Big Ten Network. How many bouts will the home side win? Find our predictions below.

Penn State-Iowa predictions for 125-157 pounds

125 pounds: No. 7 Luke Liledahl, PSU vs. No. 26 Joey Cruz, Iowa

Lilledahl suffered his first defeat of the season last week against Rutgers. Cruz, meanwhile, is just 9-6 on the season. But, the sophomore has two top-20 wins in as many weeks. His streak stops there.

Prediction: Lilledahl by decision, PSU leads 3-0.

133 pounds: No. 7 Braeden Davis, PSU vs. No. 3 Drake Ayala, Iowa

This is a rematch of last year’s 125-pound bout between these two schools. Ayala took it 4-2. Both have adjusted fine to their new weight. But, Ayala missed last week’s match with the Buckeyes due to an upper-body injury. The fact that there is no OR listed by the Hawkeyes means he should be good to go. And, that’ll lead to another close loss for the Nittany Lions sophomore.

Prediction: Ayala by decision, PSU 3, Iowa 3

141 pounds: No. 3 Beau Bartlett, PSU vs. Ryder Block OR Jace Rhodes OR Cullan Schriever, Iowa

It’s truly anyone’s guess who the Hawkeyes will send to the mat here. Block or Rhodes is the best bet. Ultimately, though, it shouldn’t matter. Bartlett has every reason to beat any of the trio handily.

Prediction: Bartlett by major decision, PSU leads 7-3

You can watch this week’s Penn State wrestling show in the video player below and also on YouTube. Or, you can listen at your favorite destinations for audio like SPOTIFY and APPLE.

149 pounds: No. 4 Shayne Van Ness, PSU vs. No. 2 Kyle Parco, Iowa

This figures to be a thriller. Van Ness beat Parco back during the 2022-2023 season, then obviously missed all of last season. ‘SVN’ losing by major decision to Ridge Lovett two weeks ago gives us some cause for pause. But, he bounced back nicely last week. Parco, meanwhile, is unbeaten and has rolled over almost everyone he’s faced this season. After 100 coin flips, 51 landed on Van Ness’ side and 49 on Parco’s.

Prediction: Van Ness by decision, PSU leads 10-3

157 pounds: No. 3 Tyler Kasak, PSU vs. No. 1 Jacori Teemer OR Miguel Estrada, Iowa

The ‘OR’ here on Iowa’s prematch notes is interesting. Teemer missed the Hawkeyes’ previous four matches before returning and earning a decision victory last weekend. Is he fully healthy? Did he tweak whatever was hurt last weekend? Those questions won’t be answered until tomorrow night. Kasak is rolling along and has no known health issues. Thus, we’ll back the Penn State sophomore.

Prediction: Kasak by decision, PSU leads 13-3

Nittany Lion-Hawkeye predictions for 165-285 pounds

165 pounds: No. 1 Mitchell Mesenbrink, PSU vs. No. 2 Michael Caliendo, Iowa

Mesenbrink beat Caliendo three times last year, once by decision, once by major decision, and once by technical fall. So, what will this year’s first match between the two bring? It is not terribly appealing to pick the Nittany Lions’ 11-straight technical fall victories (his other two wins came via forfeit) streak to end. But Caliendo is scoring a lot of points this year, too. This should be a high-flying bout with lots of points on the board.

Prediction: Mesenbrink by decision, PSU leads 16-3

174 pounds: No. 2 Levi Haines, PSU No. 6 Patrick Kennedy, Iowa

These two have yet to meet at the college level. Haines is capable of going on a scoring rampage at any moment. But, Kennedy has few blowout losses on his ledger over the years. Haines will come out on top, but it’ll be close in the third period.

Prediction: Haines by decision, PSU leads 19-3

184 pounds: No. 1 Carter Starocci, PSU vs. No. 5 Gabe Arnold OR Angelo Ferrari, Iowa

Arnold is not hiding from the fact that he’s wanted a shot at Starocci for a few years. Starocci, of course, could care less who he faces. Ferrari is on track to redshirt but could use one of his matches here. It’s very tempting to pick a bonus point triumph here. Too tempting not to, in fact.

Prediction: Starocci by major decision, PSU leads 23-3

197 pounds: No. 4 Josh Barr, PSU vs. No. 1 Stephen Buchanan, Iowa

I’m going to dislike myself for picking against either of these wrestlers. But, there are no ties in college wrestling. So, a choice must be made. Barr is hammering along at his new weight and just had one of the most impressive periods of the season last week. Buchanan, meanwhile, is in his sixth season of collegiate competition at this level and is a three-time All-American. In a nailbiter, experience gives the Hawkeye the slightest of edges.

Prediction: Buchanan by decision, PSU leads 23-6

285 pounds: No. 2 Greg Kerkvliet, Penn Sate vs. No. 11 Ben Kueter, Iowa 

Kerkvliet beat Kueter by major decision last year. It will surprise no one if he does so against this time around. But, the fact that Cael Sanderson said Monday that the defending NCAA champ is battling through some sort of unknown issue has me leery of picking a bonus point triumph.

Prediction: Kirkvliet by decision, PSU wins 26-6

Full predictions

To answer the question in the headline, we have Penn State taking eight of 10 bouts. Here’s the rundown:

125: No. 7 Luke Liledahl, PSU d. No. 26 Joey Cruz, Iowa

133: No. 3 Drake Ayala, Iowa d. No. 7 Braeden Davis, PSU vs.

141: No. 3 Beau Bartlett, PSU md. Ryder Block OR Jace Rhodes OR Cullan Schriever, Iowa

149: No. 4 Shayne Van Ness, PSU d. No. 2 Kyle Parco, Iowa

157: No. 3 Tyler Kasak, PSU d. No. 1 Jacori Teemer OR Miguel Estrada, Iowa

165: No. 1 Mitchell Mesenbrink, PSU d. No. 2 Michael Caliendo, Iowa

174: No. 2 Levi Haines, PSU d. No. 6 Patrick Kennedy, Iowa

184: No. 1 Carter Starocci, PSU md. No. 5 Gabe Arnold OR Angelo Ferrari, Iowa

197: No. 1 Stephen Buchanan, Iowa d. No. 4 Josh Barr, PSU

285: No. 2 Greg Kerkvliet, Penn Sate d. No. 11 Ben Kueter, Iowa 

Final: Penn State 26, Iowa 6