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Following their 15-20 loss to #7 Oklahoma State last weekend, the wrestlers are looking to rebound in Norman against an unranked and vulnerable Oklahoma team. Oklahoma resembles the team Iowa State had a year or two ago, with a few studs but also a couple of holes in the lineup that make them relatively weak in duals, and they have fluctuated between a low ranking and being unranked in the dual polls throughout the season. The Cyclones need to take care of business and avoid upsets to get the win and improve to 1-1 in Big XII conference duals.
Projected Lineups:
| Weight | Iowa State Cyclone Wrestler | Record | - | Oklahoma Sooner Wrestler | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 125 | UR/30 Kyle Larson | 17-9 | vs. | UR/32 Ryan Milhoff | 15-9 |
| 133 | 6/6 Earl Hall | 20-4 | vs. | 2/3 Cody Brewer | 11-0 |
| 141 | UR/26 Dante Rodriguez | 12-5 | vs. | Trae Blackwell | 12-12 |
| or | John Meeks | 7-6 | - | - | - |
| 149 | 14/11 Gabe Moreno | 20-5 | vs. | Shayne Tucker | 13-13 |
| 157 | UR/27 Luke Goettl | 16-5 | vs. | 11/10 Justin DeAngelis | 16-3 |
| 165 | 4/4 Micheal Moreno | 16-2 | vs. | UR/32 Clark Glass | 15-9 |
| 174 | 11/11 Tanner Weatherman | 17-6 | vs. | 20/27 Matt Reed | 21-8 |
| 184 | 15/17 Lelund Weatherspoon | 13-2 | vs. | Brooks Climmons | 3-9 |
| 197 | 2/3 Kyven Gadson | 18-1 | vs. | Andrew Dizon | 11-11 |
| HWT | Quean Smith | 13-8 | vs. | 12/8 Ross Larson | 19-4 |
Rankings from Intermat / 1-22-15 NCAA Coaches Panel
Key Matches:
125: This match is very important for Larson's NCAA qualification chances. Right now Larson's coaches panel ranking is just outside what he'll likely need to earn Silver status and the accompanying NCAA spot (assuming what we know about how the Big XIIs will work this year is correct). His 8-7 loss to Klimara last weekend should have helped his case a little bit, and he can build on that this weekend with a win over another wrestler in a similar situation in Milhoff. Even better would be a major decision or pin to give the coaches more reason to move him up a few spots. A loss here would put a big dent in Larson's chances and he'd likely need to pull an upset over #19 Moisey of West Virginia to put himself back into consideration.
133: Brewer missed some time earlier this season due to some weight issues but seems to be back on track now, and as long as he makes weight this is easily the marque match of the meet. Brewer is a two time All American and has yet to suffer a loss on the season. Hall is a one time All American and hasn't suffered a loss since December. There really isn't anything for Hall to lose here. A win would push Hall up in the rankings and make his path to AA this year easier. Arguably it would even put him into the conversation for a title. While a loss would likely leave him ranked in the same place he is now.
141: This match is important for the same reason Larson's match is important at 125 - NCAA qualification. Rodriguez is right on the fringe and can't afford a loss here. A win keeps hope alive but a loss would all but knock us off the allocation list.
HWT: Somehow, Quean Smith went 2-0 last season against Larson, including a 13-2 major decision the first time they met. Hopefully he can keep that going again on Saturday. A win here to follow up on his close match against Marsden from last weekend would be a huge boost to Quean's chances of going to St. Louis.
149/165/174/184/197: At these weights the Cyclones will have ranked guys going up against unranked (or barely ranked in the case of 174) wrestlers for the Sooners. In order to put this meet away going into heavyweight and to protect against possible losses in the tossup matches at 125 & 141, we need bonus points out of these weights. A couple tech falls or pins would blow this meet wide open and give us momentum going into the last month of the regular season.
For a full weight by weight breakdown of common opponents, check out Wrestlestat's lineup comparisons.
Prediction:
Even if we lose the tossups, we matchup too well against Oklahoma to take a loss as long as the team doesn't totally crap the bed. I think we win 6-7 matches and come away with a 21-15 or better victory.
Next Up:
The wrestlers will be back on the road next Saturday to take on the West Virginia Mountaineers in Morgantown in their third and final conference dual. Also check back next Thursday when the next Coaches Panel and first RPI are released for an updated look at where the Cyclones stand with NCAA qualification.