What's the Penn State-Iowa wrestling point spread, and where are the Lions in the latest rankings?

The marquee dual meet of the college wrestling season is now just one day away. No. 1 Penn State hosts No. 2 Iowa at the Bryce Jordan Center on Friday. The first bout goes off at 7 p.m. ET. Big Ten Network is televising the showdown. The Nittany Lions have won three straight and seven of the last 10 matches against the Hawkeyes. But, Iowa owns a 28-13-2 all-time advantage.

“A lot of energy, a lot of history, two great programs,’ Lions coach Sanderson said Monday. His team seeks its 66th consecutive dual meet victory. “Iowa’s going to bring it. We’re going to bring it. It’s going to be a lot of fun. And you got two of the teams that are competing for the national title facing off, and it’s good stuff. That’s what we do. That’s why we come here every day. We’re excited. I think it’ll be a great environment, and we’re going to have fun.”

Penn State and Iowa are both 9-0 entering the match.

“So the important thing is that you’re who you are, and you’re in your comfort zone,” Brands told reporters Tuesday. “And if you have things you got to tend to, then you tend to them. And you know, if you’re healthy as a horse, then stay healthy as a horse, and just get better every day.

“So, you look forward to this competition. That’s the main thing. Look forward to this. This is an opportunity again. And you know, the unique thing about it is you’re going into the number one team in the country’s environment.”

We rounded up the latest news and notes on the match below.

What is the Penn State-Iowa point spread?

Unlike football and basketball, oddsmakers rarely put betting lines on college wrestling matches. But, there are always exceptions, and this match rises to the occasion of DraftKings posting a line.

Penn State is listed as a 21.5-point favorite.

If no bouts are won by major decision, technical fall, or fall, the Lions would need to win nine of 10 to cover that number. That would lead to a 27-3 final.

If the home side won nine of 10 matches, with eight decisions, one major decision, and one loss by decision, as WrestleStat currently predicts, it would win 28-3 and cover the number, as well.

Where are the Lions in the latest InterMat rankings?

Here’s a look. The number in parentheses is where the Penn State wrestler was ranked last week.

125 pounds: Luke Lilledahl, No. 7 (6)

133 pounds: Braeden Davis, No. 7 (7)

141 pounds: Beau Bartlett, No. 3 (3)

149 pounds: Shayne Van Ness, No. 4 (4)

157 pounds: Tyler Kasak, No. 3 (3)

165 pounds: Mitchell Mesenbrink, No. 1 (1)

174 pounds: Levi Haines, No. 2 (2)

184 pounds: Carter Starocci, No. 1 (1)

197 pounds: Josh Barr, No. 4 (4)

285 pounds: Greg Kerkvliet, No. 2 (2)

Projected Penn State-Iowa lineups

Last but not least, here’s a look at the anticipated bout sheet:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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