IOWA WEEK!

Roar More

All-Conference
Oct 30, 2021
671
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If the match starts at 125 and we have a big lead, I wouldn't be surprised to see Iowa forfeit 197.
If things are going that badly and they forfeit 197 that would probably cinch Iowa's largest margin of loss. I can't see Brands allowing that to happen. Brands' history indicates that he will not have a wrestler duck a match. The entire team, sure. Still waiting for that return match from the tears when they rotated off out schedule and we went there.
 
Jun 3, 2025
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I would like to see someone drop to their knees against Messenbrink. We might see the solution. Won't matter that they are waiting for it. Can't stop a Tornado.
 
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Michnit

All-Conference
Nov 1, 2021
5,880
4,840
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It’s official! Iowa week!! Not as competitive as in the past but some good matchups..

My predictions..
LL Dec Peterson (payback coming)
Blaze MD Ayala
Davis Dec Bailey
SVN md Block
Duke TF or pin Williams
MM MD Caliendo
Haines MD Kennedy
Welsh pic em Ferrari (will be OT match
Barr tech Endene
Keuter Dec Mirasola

Gonna be ugly
Ugly, just like we love it
 

Michnit

All-Conference
Nov 1, 2021
5,880
4,840
113
125, 133 and 141 are possibilities, but probable PSU wins.
184 is going to be who has the most OT riding time.
Hwt is an Iowa probable.

The final score will be lopsided.
33-3. If Iowa has a good night 30-6.
I could see Blaze losing, but returning the favor at B10’s &/or Nationals
 

Michnit

All-Conference
Nov 1, 2021
5,880
4,840
113
Agree.

Iowa is favored, at least slightly, at 184 and 285. The 184 bout seems destined to go to OT tied at 1-1.

Other thoughts/observations:

125 - Has Lilledahl looked a bit off his last few matches? Not sure. But Peterson can be tough and beat LL last season.
141 - Really not sure what to expect here. Davis beat Bailey 1-0 last season at 133. Davis looked to be kinda gassed the last half of the Rutgers bout yesterday (1/10/26).
165 - Calendo wrestled MM very tough in their last match in the 2025 NCAA final, much closer than their previous bouts, which were all bonus point wins for MM.
Good points.

I will add:

- Davis did look a bit gassed at the end, but I’ve read that Bailey has looked terrible in his prior matches. He grabbed the big bag from Iowa & is now coasting to the bank.

- I expect that Calendo will keep it close again, But he’s NO MM, but almost no one is.

- Rocco & Angelo will go into Sudden Death at 1-1 HaHa
 

Anon1683312534

Freshman
May 5, 2023
89
93
18
Good points.

I will add:

- Davis did look a bit gassed at the end, but I’ve read that Bailey has looked terrible in his prior matches. He grabbed the big bag from Iowa & is now coasting to the bank.

- I expect that Calendo will keep it close again, But he’s NO MM, but almost no one is.

- Rocco & Angelo will go into Sudden Death at 1-1 HaHa
Definition of close for caliendo?
 

Nitlion1986

All-Conference
Apr 13, 2024
600
1,698
93
I could see Blaze losing, but returning the favor at B10’s &/or Nationals
Being that Blaze is a true freshman and Ayala is the tough, older senior it would make sense to think Blaze might be vulnerable Friday night. I just don't see a typical freshman who is going to end up Carvered. I actually believe Blaze is a prohibitive favorite.
 

Nitlion1986

All-Conference
Apr 13, 2024
600
1,698
93
Good points.

I will add:

- Davis did look a bit gassed at the end, but I’ve read that Bailey has looked terrible in his prior matches. He grabbed the big bag from Iowa & is now coasting to the bank.

- I expect that Calendo will keep it close again, But he’s NO MM, but almost no one is.

- Rocco & Angelo will go into Sudden Death at 1-1 HaHa
Davis had a different training week than most others last week. He has lung catching up to do and he was trained hard through all of last week. Just guessing but he isn't going to look gassed Friday, but he will look sluggish Sunday.
If Caliendo keeps the score below a major I will say he kept it unexpectedly close.
 
Dec 31, 2021
236
568
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Biffkin

Senior
Jun 29, 2004
288
442
63
Being that Blaze is a true freshman and Ayala is the tough, older senior it would make sense to think Blaze might be vulnerable Friday night. I just don't see a typical freshman who is going to end up Carvered. I actually believe Blaze is a prohibitive favorite.
Blaze's style, controlling the center of the mat, low stance and moving forward will be a big problem for Ayala. I expect Blaze to force Alala to the edge of the mat and force Alala into multiple stalling calls.
 
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AgSurfer

Senior
Aug 9, 2013
330
912
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Good points.

I will add:

- Davis did look a bit gassed at the end, but I’ve read that Bailey has looked terrible in his prior matches. He grabbed the big bag from Iowa & is now coasting to the bank.

- I expect that Calendo will keep it close again, But he’s NO MM, but almost no one is.

- Rocco & Angelo will go into Sudden Death at 1-1 HaHa
Everyone here will agree that Caliendo is a good wrestler. Probable NC if it weren't for MM. If I were in Caliendo's position, I would wrestle the new "Iowa style" (sic) and try to stifle the action as much as possible. Then, in the last minute, go for broke and hope he can get a score without enough time on the clock for MM to catch up.
 

PSUbluTX

Senior
Feb 7, 2018
134
597
93
Everyone here will agree that Caliendo is a good wrestler. Probable NC if it weren't for MM. If I were in Caliendo's position, I would wrestle the new "Iowa style" (sic) and try to stifle the action as much as possible. Then, in the last minute, go for broke and hope he can get a score without enough time on the clock for MM to catch up.

MC has 1 shot at trying something new against Mitch this year. So if I were MC I would accidentally get stuck in traffic Friday and miss the dual to save my new stuff for the postseason. Then take an intentional L in the semis at Big Tens to lull MM into not trying so hard at nationals. Like some kinda fake punt trickery.
 

mvattivo

Junior
Jun 23, 2005
93
395
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A different situation. In 2006 Ohio State went looking for a new coach which had more than a tiny ripple effect. Iowa State afraid they would lose out on Dan Gable again (this time to Ohio State) retired Bobby Douglas and hired Cael to be the head coach. That left Iowa not wanting to lose out on Tom Brands to Ohio State, and with Gable's blessing they dismissed Zalesky and hired Brands.

There aren't any Cael's wondering around waiting to ascend to a head job right now. Plus Iowa is a little more comfortable right now in their hierarchy position behind PSU than they were 20 years as co king of the hill with Okie St and Minnesota.

The best potential coach out there is on Cael's staff, and he made it clear when Oklahoma St. came calling that he is happy where he is. That is a big reason why this program is where it is. It's not just Cael, it's Cael and his loyal assistant coaches. It is rare and it is special.
 

mvattivo

Junior
Jun 23, 2005
93
395
53
Zain had Brandon Sorensen and Mitchell has Caliendo, but great wrestlers stuck behind elite wrestlers. Ironically, they are also 2 Hawkeyes that I do root for when they are not wrestling PSU. They seem like good guys.

Edit- someone beat me to it. But I don’t see the delete option and this is probably the only time I have ever written I liked a Hawkeye (maybe once for Kemmerer- shame he was a hawk)

I'm from Mifflin County and actually know the Hidlay brothers personally. If Jason Nolf and Aaron Brooks didn't exist, they'd have multiple national championships.

It used to annoy me when people on this forum would criticize the way Trent wrestled on the edge against Brooks. There is no question that he did, but, he did not wrestle that style against anyone else, which was the ultimate compliment to Brooks.

I've seen a lot of phenomenal moments as a PSU fan, but, watching Trent come back from 9 to win a World Championships is at the top of my all-time wrestling moments (With Bo's pin and Cenzo's pin)
 
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mvattivo

Junior
Jun 23, 2005
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Make those last three sentences make sense. What sort of a choice is there?

For as annoying as Brands is when he's jumping around the mats and whining to officials, I absolutely love his interviews. Other than how nasal he sounds, he is extremely entertaining. I think he is a great character for wrestling, and is a good guy, even though he is a bit different. As for his performance, I'll just say that I understand why Iowa fans are frustrated.
 

WV lion

All-Conference
Oct 17, 2021
1,042
1,230
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For as annoying as Brands is when he's jumping around the mats and whining to officials, I absolutely love his interviews. Other than how nasal he sounds, he is extremely entertaining. I think he is a great character for wrestling, and is a good guy, even though he is a bit different. As for his performance, I'll just say that I understand why Iowa fans are frustrated.
I think character is a great word.