NATIONAL DUALS - ROUND ONE - Lehigh Vs Nebraska (Preview & Prediction)

 

We have a good match here R1 of the National Duals between the #7 Lehigh Mountain Hawks & the #2 Nebraska Cornhuskers. I believe it'll be pretty neck-in-neck throughout our first six weight classes & starting at 174 will be when Nebraska starts to pull away & show their dominance. 

#5 Sheldon Seymour Vs #27 Kael Lauridson
125

This lightest weight contest interest me for a number of reasons. Sheldon Seymour is ranked significantly higher than Kael Lauridson, but I wouldn't put too much stock into the rankings regarding this match. Kael Lauridson owns a 13-5 major decision over Antonio Lorenzo.  The same Antonio Lorenzo who owns a 5-3 decision over Sheldon Seymour.  What to make of that? 125 is known for its insane amount of parity & Seymour proved last year that he was one of the most improved wrestlers in the nation. Lauridsen was beating college wrestlers long before he ever got to college himself.  So yeah, my thoughts are all over the place on this one.  Can see it going either way, but giving the nod to the All American. 

LEHIGH: 3
NEBRASKA: 0 

#2 Ryan Crookham Vs #5 Jacob Van Dee
133

Seen quite a few early season NCAA DI predictions & quite a few have already slated Ryan Crookham as their pick for this year's champion at 133 lbs.  He wrestles anything at all like he did during the 2023-2024 season, that's highly likely to happen.  However, he was hurt last year & I've been watching wrestling long enough to know that you never know what to expect when it comes to guys coming off of injury.  What I do know is that whatever our answer might be, JVD is an excellent test to see exactly where Crookham is at.  Here's to being optimistic about it. 

LEHIGH: 6
NEBRASKA: 0 

#3 Luke Stanich Vs #2 Brock Hardy
141

Forget this dual, this match at 141 lbs between #3 Luke Stanich & #2 Brock Hardy, might very well be the marquee match of the entire national duals event. We have two guys right here, both hoping to be the one to prevent Jesse Mendez from winning his third NCAA DI title. Before either worries about Mendez, they first have to worry about each other. Excited to see how this one goes down. 

LEHIGH: 6
NEBRASKA: 3 

U.R. Kelvin Griffin Vs #10 Chance Lamer
149

I started writing about college wrestling during the 2001-2002 season. In some capacity or another, I've been covering college wrestling now for 24 years & I swear there's never been a season where I haven't written about a Lamer.  This one is Chance, and after Michigan & Cal Poly, he's giving his third chance to Nebraska. I triple checked & was very surprised to not see Griffin in the rankings. Nonetheless, I think he gives Lamer a respectable match. 

LEHIGH: 6
NEBRASKA: 6 

#26 Logan Rozynski Vs #1 Antrell Taylor
157

I do think that Logan Rozynski can keep this match to a decision & as far as I'm concerned that's a pretty respectable thing to do against the champ. 

LEHIGH: 6
NEBRASKA: 9 

#7 Max Brignola Vs U.R. L.J. Araujo 
165

A U20 World Bronze medalist & a U20 PAN-AMERICAN bronze medalist, I do believe that the future will be good to L.J. Araujo as his collegiate career gets going.  With that said, I don't see him upending Max Brignola. Not at this point in time anyway.  I do think he can give him a respectable match though. 

LEHIGH: 9
NEBRASKA: 9 

U.R. Richie Grungo Vs #4 Chris Minto
174

125 through 165, Lehigh is going to look strong against the returning NCAA DI runner-up Nebraska. It's 174 on, where the Huskers are really going to start showing why they're currently ranked #2.  Look for nothing less than a major here for Minto. 

LEHIGH: 9 
NEBRASKA: 13 

U.R. Rylan Rogers Vs #5 Silas Allred
184

Pretty sure we can expect another bonus point victory for the Huskers here are 184.  R12-R12-7th in the DI nation Silas Allred is looking to have his best season yet & I say we see Allred, looking All go-go-go in this match against the Mountain Hawks. 

LEHIGH: 9
NEBRASKA: 17 

#19 J.T. Davis Vs #7 Camden McDanel
197

I think that J.T. Davis can keep this match to a decision with All American Camden McDanel.  Again I think there is very, very little chance of an upset, but keeping this to something like a 6-2 decision? Yeah, I think that is very possible. 

LEHIGH: 9
NEBRASKA: 20 

#8 Nathan Taylor Vs #1 A.J. Ferrari
HWT

I've thought for the past 3 months we've been jumping the gun on A.J. Ferrari.  Counting our chickens before they hatched & already making purchases before the check cleared.  I'm fine with Ferrari being ranked high, but ranked #1? Who the Hell has he beaten collegiately at HWT yet?  The answer is, no one.  Tell me that he'll be an All American contender?  Yeah, I easily buy that.  But that he'll for sure be a national title contender & not only that, but the #1 contender?  Sorry, I'm not sold yet.  I need convincing.  Ferrari could be tested at the Navy Classic, if Pitt enters Dayton Pitzer, so maybe we'll know more after the weekend this was written (10-28-2025), but either way, I still think Taylor will be a good test for the Husker, once a Cowboy, once a Roadrunner, once a national champion at 197 lbs. 

LEHIGH: 9 
NEBRASKA: 23 

NATIONAL DUALS - ROUND ONE - Arizona State Vs Michigan (Preview & Prediction)

 

The #39 Arizona State Sun Devils take on the #13 Michigan Wolverines in the opening round of the National Duals Invite this Saturday. Arizona State is a very interesting team as for a variety of reasons we just don't know what to expect out of them.  A lot of freshmen who have yet to compete collegiately. Some NJCAA transfers. A senior who is one of the most inconsistent & unpredictable wrestlers I've ever seen in my 34 years of being involved in this sport.  On paper the Wolverines should plow through the Sun Devils like a county truck driver looking to earn some overtime after a big snowstorm.  It might be a different story on the mat.  Michigan is most certainly going to walk away from this with the W, but it might not exactly be the shutout others might predict. 

U.R. Damian Moreno Vs #20 Diego Sotelo
125

I believe the Wolverines will strike first & strike hard, as Harvard transfer & AA contender Diego Sotelo should pick up some major decision points in the opening match. 

ARIZONA STATE: 0
MICHIGAN: 4 

U.R. Kyler Larkin Vs U.R. Gauge Botero
133

 We have two talented freshmen here at 133 lbs, both looking to make a name for themselves at the DI collegiate ranks.  Son of four-time All American Eric Larkin, the future is already looking bright as Kyler has already won RENO & more recently was crowned Gold at the U20's.  Gauge Botero comes into the DI ranks with quite an impressive high school resume. The Pennsylvania native was 3rd-1st-6th-2nd in what many consider to be the toughest state tournament in the entire country.  Going to go with the Sun Devil by dec in this one. 

ARIZONA STATE: 3
MICHIGAN: 4 

#32 Pierson Manville Vs #11 Dylan Ragusin
141 

Experience is once again going to be a factor as we head into the 141 lbs match.  While I do think Pierson Manville will enjoy a successful career at Arizona State, he's going up against four-time NCAA DI qualifier & All-American Dylan Ragusin. Ragusin probably doesn't like #11 very much & it probably has him in a mood. A mood to major & I say he does.  The Sun Devils could also start Emillio Ysaguirre here as well, but I'm not sure if the outcome would be any different. 

ARIZONA STATE: 3 
MICHIGAN: 8 

U.R. Kaleb Larkin Vs #3 Lachlan McNeil
149

I remember when Kaleb Larkin first started at Arizona State.  Like I currently am with Kyler, I was anxious to see how the son of a four-time All American/national champion, who had won Bill Farrell was going to do collegiately. He started off great, sticking NCAA DI R12'er Zach Redding in less than a minute.  And then...nothing. We haven't seen or heard from him since. I'll give him the benefit of the doubt that he can keep this match with Lachlan McNeil close. Upsetting the three-time All American/national champion hopeful? I don't see it.  I may actually be wrong on it staying a decision.  The future Canadian Olympic medalist is tough. 

ARIZONA STATE: 3
MICHIGAN: 11

U.R. Mike Kilic Vs U.R. Cam Catrabone
157

Last season Mike Kilic went 4-18. Meanwhile Cam Catrabone won a 16-14 match over Sam Cartella, a 13-6 decision over Dylan Layton & a 6-1 decision over Jaxon Joy.  Pretty sure we're going to see a major if not more here for the Wolverines. 

ARIZONA STATE: 3 
MICHIGAN: 15

#13 Nicco Ruiz Vs #32 Dylan Gilcher
165

Here's an opportunity for the Sun Devils to strike back.  Nicco Ruiz had some really great wins last year, including defeating Michigan's four-time All American Cam Amine. He shouldn't have too much trouble putting Dylan Gilcher away, but I think it'll only be by decision. He only gave up two bonus point decisions in '24-'25. Guy knows how to work the clock. 

ARIZONA STATE: 6
MICHIGAN: 15

U.R. Cael Valencia Vs #9 Beau Mantanona
174

A lot are going to look at this match & chalk it up as an easy 3 points, if not 4 or even 5 or 6 for the Wolverines. I wouldn't.  Now, I am going to predict a win for Beau Mantanona, but I'm not guaranteeing it.  C-Val as I like to call him is one of those guys that you never know what to think. Sometimes he's the Tiger & other times he's the gazelle.  Could he go out and upset Mantanona? Yeah, he could. On his best day Cael Valencia is good.  He's shown it at various times throughout his career.  At other times, he's bad.  As in he could also end up tech'd by the end of the first period. If wrestling had major bets, this would be the guy bookies would hate. 

ARIZONA STATE: 6 
MICHIGAN: 18 

U.R. Aziz Fayzullaev Vs #15 Brock Mantanona
184

I get accused of being biased sometimes & I personally think since starting JT1Wrestle as its own thing back in 2014, I've more than proven through countless examples that I am not.  However, I realize that since I am picking Fayzullaev to pull off an upset here, the accusations will once again begin. Yeah, I have high hopes for the former NJCAA standout.  Perhaps I'm off my hinges. That's ok.  Averaging 225 articles per season, I've been wrong before. 

ARIZONA STATE: 9
MICHIGAN: 18 

#25 Colton Hawks Vs #32 Hayden Walters
197

The rankings have this one slightly favored for Colton Hawks, a transfer from Missouri. For the sake of the Sun Devils, Hawks could really use a win here, as it would allow Arizona State to walk away from this dual knowing that they gave the much higher ranked Wolverines a respectable match.  I do predict a win for Hawks. 

ARIZONA STATE: 12
MICHIGAN: 18 

#21 David Szuba Vs #4 Taye Ghadiali
HWT

David Szuba is a good wrestler. I can see the former Rider Bronco, now Arizona State Sun Devil doing some big things this year, but Taye Ghadiali is at another level.  Wyatt Hendrickson & Gable Steveson now gone, we're still trying to figure out who the new king in town is at HWT. Ghadiali among the candidates. 

ARIZONA STATE: 12
MICHIGAN: 21 

====

So yeah, losing 12-21 when you're ranked #39 & your opponent is ranked #13.  I don't think that is a bad showing & it helps to illustrate that Arizona State is probably going to be better than initially anticipated for '25-'26.  My opinion & prediction of course.  

NATIONAL DUALS - ROUND ONE - Ohio State Vs Wyoming (Preview & Prediction)

 

Wyoming has a respectable team this year. Some wrestlers who aren't in the rankings yet, who very well could be as we head further into the 2025-2026 season. With that said, Ohio State is currently ranked #5 for good reason & they should move into R2 without much problem. 

#19 Brendan McCrone Vs U.R. Sefton Douglas
125

I am very excited to see how NJCAA standout Sefton Douglas a transfer of Western Wyoming handles the rough waters of NCAA DI wrestling this season. I think by year's end, he is good enough to be an NCAA DI qualifier & place within the top 8 at the BIG 12 championships. At the beginning of the season however, Brendan McCrone is going to be a very tough challenge.  While I think Douglas will prove himself to be better than U.R., I also believe that it is a real possibility that McCrone will prove himself to be better than 19th.  Predicting a decision here for the Buckeyes. 

OHIO STATE: 3
WYOMING: 0 

#11 Ben Davino Vs Cody Phelps
133

Like teammate Sefton Douglas, Cody Phelps is yet another standout NJCAA wrestler of Western Wyoming who is now (after a year at Michigan State) competing for Wyoming.  Aso like Douglas he is currently unranked, but in my opinion likely to be within the rankings before year's end. Unfortunately though, I don't see him matching up well with Ben Davino. I wouldn't at all be surprised if in four years, we see Davino's career wrapping up as a four-time All-American, a national title or two among his trophy case of medals.  I see some bonus here for the scarlet & grey.

OHIO STATE: 7
WYOMING: 0 

#1 Jesse Mendez Vs U.R. Cole Brooks
141

Jesse Mendez is gunning to become a three-time NCAA DI champion by season's end & against an unranked opponent, I think we're going to see a fall or a tech fall.  In 2024-2025, he won 30 matches, 12 of them were techs & 6 of them were falls. Brooks of course will be looking to go the full 7 minutes & keep this one within 14. 

OHIO STATE: 12
WYOMING: 0 

#4 Ethan Stiles Vs #22 Gabe Willochell
149

The OSU on his shirt remains the same & I suppose so does the State University, but the O is now different. No longer Oregon & now Ohio, the former Beaver now Buckeye had a great end to last year's season, finishing 6th in the DI nation.  With that said, one of his losses was to Gabe Willochell by an 11-10 score.  Willochell has had a bit of a roller coaster career. Big wins that have seen him go up the ladder & some ugly losses that have seen him go down. In a huge event like this, we are bound to see some good upsets & I say why not predict them? 

OHIO STATE: 12
WYOMING: 3 

#9 Brandon Cannon Vs #17 Jared Hill
157

If Willochell can indeed pull off the upset at 149 lbs, Wyoming will head into 157 with the momentum of looking for another upset.  Am I going to rule out the idea of Jared Hill getting a win over Brandon Cannon? No, but I think it is far less likely than the idea of Willochell knocking off Stiles. I think Hill will fight hard in this match, but again the poison of the Buckeyes will remain potent. 

OHIO STATE: 15
WYOMING: 3 

#17 Paddy Gallagher Vs U.R. Sloan Swan
165 

Short and sweet, I think Paddy Gallagher picks up a major for the Bucks in the 165 lbs match. 

OHIO STATE: 19
WYOMING: 3 

#10 Carson Kharchla Vs U.R. Riley Davis
174

Riley Davis did have a good major decision over Guiseppe Hoose last season, which makes me think that he might be able to keep this one to a decision. He also had some not so great losses last year, that make me think giving a major (or worse) might be inevitable. If my job is to call it like I see it, then I have to say I once again see bonus for the Bucks. 

OHIO STATE: 23
WYOMING: 3

#6 Dylan Fishback Vs #16 Eddie Neitenbach
184

This match really intrigues me. On paper, going straight by the book, I see Ohio State taking 9 out of the 10 matches.  I can see & I'm calling for an upset at 149, I'm not ruling out an upset at 157, & I sit and ponder about what to think about 184.  Dylan Fishback is a two-time NCAA DI R12'er, a transfer from NC State looking to finally break through that bloodround & earn an All American honor.  Eddie Neitenbach, a tough true sophomore who had his ups and downs during his freshman season.  % wise, I can't really say the exact number I'd give it.  I can't even say if I think it is more or less likely than picturing a Hill over Cannon win.   All I can say is that while I am picking Fishback to win this match, I am not ruling out an upset by Neitenbach. 

OHIO STATE: 26
WYOMING: 3

#9 Seth Shumate Vs #3 Joey Novak
197

197 lbs is the one and only weight in this dual where the Cowboys are favored over the Buckeyes & I do believe that Joey Novak will pick up the win. With that said, I again do not rule out the possibility for an upset. 

OHIO STATE: 26
WYOMING: 6 

#6 Nick Feldman Vs #26 Christian Carroll
HWT

From Oklahoma State to Iowa State & now at Wyoming, I hope that Christian Carroll finally sticks around long enough so that we can see how good this guy really is. Against a guy that has thus far finished 5th & R12 in his first two seasons of DI wrestling? I do think Carroll can keep this to a respectable decision, but I am not seeing an upset.  Another win for Ohio State. 

OHIO STATE: 29
WYOMING: 6 

==== 

NATIONAL DUALS - ROUND ONE - Oklahoma State Vs Cornell (Preview & Prediction)

 

Puzzles.  They can be a lot of fun sometimes.  100 piece puzzles can be challenging & at the same time rewarding once you put them together.  What sucks though, is when you have what is supposed to be a 100-piece puzzle & you only have 78 pieces of it. Dual meets sometimes can resemble puzzles, both those with all 100 pieces, and those with 22 of the pieces missing.  

To be frank, I'm not sure if would make a whole lot of difference if we're strictly talking who advances to round two & who gets sent down to the consolation bracket. I'm pretty sure that even with Diakomihalis, Ungar, Cornella, Fernandez & Shapiro in the lineup that this was going to be a win for Oklahoma State.  A much closer dual, but still a win for Oklahoma State. 

#2 Troy Spratley Vs #24 Marcello Milani 
125

I'm a fan of Greg Diakomihalis & if he's able to overcome Marcello Milani in a wrestle-off once he returns to the lineup, I hope to see him have some big successes throughout 2025-2026.  With that said, Troy Spratley is an NCAA DI title contender & he'll show us why in this match. Do I think that Diakomihalis could potentially keep it closer than what Milani will. Yes, but I don't know how much closer.  I think Spratley can get to that 8+ lead against Milani, whereas against Diakomihalis we might be looking at something more like a 6-0 or a 7-1. Either way points for the Cowboys here. 

OKLAHOMA STATE: 4
CORNELL: 0 

#12 Richard Figueroa Vs ?
133

Here things would've made a huge difference. The last time Richard Figueroa & Brett Ungar met, Ungar took the former Sun Devil now Cowboy into the tiebreakers before eventually dropping a 6-2 decision.  Now picture it if you will.  Starting out the beginning of the season with a win over the 2024 NCAA DI champ? How huge would that've been for Ungar? How huge would that've been for Cornell? It was no guarantee, but it was a possibility with a fighter's shot of probability.   With Ungar out of the lineup early into the season, I can't see Oklahoma State settling for anything less than a major decision. 

OKLAHOMA SATE: 8 
CORNELL: 0 

#20 Carter Young Vs ?
141

Here it makes an even bigger difference than what it does at 133 lbs.  Vince Cornella would've been favored heading into this match with Carter Young.  Again not a guarantee of a victory, but a lot better odds than anyone else the Big Red will put in there. Not trying to be pessimistic or negative, but I am trying to be realistic & honest.  Again, find it hard to think it'll be anything less than a major. 

OKLAHOMA STATE: 12
CORNELL: 0 

#5 Casey Swiderski Vs #17 Jaxon Joy
149

Four matches into this dual & now we finally have a member of the Big Red who could end up being the same representative for the weight come the Ivy League championships.  Jaxon Joy is a freshman who has en-JOY-ed some nice wins thus far in his career, including Drew Roberts of Minnesota. He's never faced anyone of Casey Swiderski's level yet. Not at the collegiate level anyway.  Swiderski may have been injured this past season, but he was R12 in '23 & 7th in the DI nation in '24.  Injuries always leave you in a state of ambiguity, as until they get back on the mat & you see them perform, you're left guessing. I don't think Oklahoma State would've taken him in unless the diagnoses was healthy.  Predicting a decision here for the Cowboys.  

Now would I feel differently if it were Ethan Fernandez instead? Yeah.  I do think Fernandez would have a better shot at Swiderski, but I still think it'd end in decision for the Pokes. 

OKLAHOMA STATE: 15
CORNELL: 0 

#16 Travis Teague Vs ?
157

I'm reminded of TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES. There's a scene where Leonardo, Michaelangelo & Donatello are fighting against Tatsu & the Foot Soldiers. Raphael is incapacitated having been beaten nearly to death by the Foot. Michaelangelo says, "Man, we could really use Raph right about now."  Heading into 157 lbs, the Big Red could really use Meyer Shapiro right about now. And to emphasize the point even more, they don't have a Casey Jones that is suddenly going to show up to even the score.  The two-time All-American, ranked #3 in the country was likely to pick up a W here against the Cowboys.  Say Diakomihalis had kept it to a decision against Spratley.  Ungar would've upset Figueroa. Cornella with a win over Young, and Joy with a huge upset over Swiderski (which could still happen).  Now we'd be heading into 165, with a possible score of Cornell 12 & Oklahoma State 3.  Or in the least a Hell of a lot closer than the score I'm predicting. 

OKLAHOMA STATE: 19
CORNELL: 0 

U.R. Ladarion Lockett Vs U.R. Louie Cerchio
165

A four-time New Jersey state place-winner, who put together a 29-6 record last year, I think freshman Louie Cerchio will do some nice things for Cornell the future.  However, his opponent Ladarion Lockett, also a freshman, is a four-time Oklahoma State champion & let me also add in, a recent PAN-AMERICAN gold medalist. By the time this dual takes place, the Cowboys will have already faced Stanford & I'm excited to see Lockett against Hunter Garvin.  I do think this is yet another ✓ in the win column for the Cowboys. 

OKLAHOMA STATE: 22
CORNELL: 0 

#11 Alex Facundo Vs #3 Simon Ruiz
174

Here is Cornell's best shot of the dual. Still far from a guarantee, but the best odds they are going to have all night.  Simon Ruiz ended last season as an All-American with a 5th place finish. He took the "peak at the right time" philosophy to heart winning an Ivy League title & winning some really tough matches at the NCAA's to achieve his first top 8 medal. With that said, during the season, he took some lumps & that concerns me heading into this dual. Nick Incontrera, Garrett Thompson & Myles Takats all stick out in particularly.  All super tough wrestlers, but the point is, I don't know if any of them are any tougher or any better than Alex Facundo.  Danny Braunagel, Tyler Lillard, Matt Olguin, Cam Amine...yeah, Facundo may be ranked eight spaces lower than Ruiz, but he's had some pretty darn impressive wins in his own right.  This will be the marquee match of the dual. 

OKLAHOMA STATE: 22
CORNELL: 3 

#7 Zack Ryder Vs U.R. Christian Hansen
184

One of the most anticipated freshmen this season, the orange & black faithful have a lot of high expectations for the transfer from Penn State.  With that said, Cradlezone & I discussed how Ryder has shown thus far in his redshirt season last year to be one that isn't keen on scoring a lot of points. Matches where it seems he should've easily scored a major, he only won by a few points.  That's the way some wrestlers are.  14-0 or 3-2, a win is a win. Perhaps the sense of urgency will be greater as Oklahoma State progresses in the tournament.  Here they will have nothing to worry about, so I say Ryder scores early & coast to something like a 5-0 win. 

OKLAHOMA STATE: 25
CORNELL: 3 

#10 Cody Merrill Vs U.R. Aiden Hanning
197

It's not lost on me that Ben Mower defeated Cody Merrill in the wrestle-offs, but I think we're going to see Merrill in the lineup when the Cowboys dual the Big Red this weekend.  I realize that Coach Taylor isn't John Smith & may do things differently, but historically speaking Oklahoma State has often gone with the young up & comer over the experienced yet to really prove themselves, whenever anything has been put into question.  I don't think things will be any different than what they've always been in Stillwater. Believe we'll see some bonus here as well. 

OKLAHOMA STATE: 29
CORNELL: 3 

#9 Konnor Doucet Vs #22 Ashton Davis
HWT

The two-time NCAA DI qualifier sat out last season to make room for Air Force transfer Wyatt Hendrickson to win the National title with one of the biggest upsets our sport has ever seen. Now it is his turn to step back into the lineup & show what he can do for his team. Ashton Davis a formidable opponent I think can keep this one a decision, but should be three more team points for the Cowboys. 

OKLAHOMA STATE: 32
CORNELL: 3


====

32 to 3 is quite the pistol whipping, but when your lineup is missing five of your best wrestlers, I'm not sure what else you can expect.  Either way I think this one ended in gunsmoke, so maybe it doesn't matter in the long run. Cowboys either way, headed to R2. 

NATIONAL DUALS - ROUND ONE - Northern Iowa vs North Carolina State (Preview & Prediction)

 

The #22 Northern Iowa Panthers are slated to do battle with the #6 North Carolina State Wolfpack & what I can tell you about this dual, is that I have a strong feeling that when it is all said & done, it isn't going to look like a #22 Vs a #6.  I feel that the Panthers are severely underrated & while overcoming the Wolfpack may not be in the cards, showing that they're a lot better than #22, and that they belong on the mat with the #6 is very feasible. 

#12 Trever Anderson Vs #1 Vincent Robinson
125

Last year's NCAA DI champion taking on a wrestler who finished one match shy of being an All American. At first glance this may seem like an open & shut case, but the parity of the 125 lbs class suggest a different story.  Head Coach Doug Schwab has consistently shown that he knows how to get inside the heads of his wrestlers & that was blatantly obvious in looking at how much Anderson improved from '23-'24 to '24-'25.  Beating the returning NCAA DI champ?  I'm not going to go that far.  Showing the champ that he belongs on the same mat with him?  Showing the collegiate wrestling world that he plans on being top 8 by season's end?  I predict it. 

NORTHERN IOWA: 0 
N.C. STATE: 3 

#14 Julian Farber Vs #21 Zach Redding
133

There are going to be a lot of great matches in this dual, and this is another one.  Here we have two wrestlers, both in their final season of collegiate eligibility, both with the potential to have outstanding years. Farber who has had some notable wins throughout his career, is trying to establish himself as an All American contender.  Zach Redding, who has finished at the NCAA R12, is on a quest to reclaim his status in the same.  I really see this dual being a back-and-forth confrontation between these two teams, and each win being vital to who moves ahead to R2 & who doesn't.  This particular match coming down to one takedown? To sudden victory?  Even a tiebreaker?  It wouldn't surprise me at all.  Taking the Panther in a tight one. 

NORTHERN IOWA: 3
N.C. STATE: 3 

U.R. Cory Land Vs #9 Ryan Jack
141

I feel very uncomfortable putting U.R. next to Cory Land's name, because I know for a fact come '26's end, he's going to prove himself to be a Hell of a lot better than unranked. He's already had some very notable wins in his career & no question in my mind, he's going to rack up some more this season.  With that said, Ryan Jack is a returning 2024 All American coming off of a redshirt last season.  9th at the moment, I say by season's end he is among those looking to try & keep Jesse Mendez from his third NCAA DI title.  An unranked Vs a #9 to the uneducated eye, might seem like big points for the Wolfpack, but I seriously doubt it.  This is going to be a good match.  Land is tough.  Predicting a close W for the Werewolves of Raleigh. 

NORTHERN IOWA: 3
N.C. STATE: 6

#12 Caleb Rathjen Vs #11 Koy Buesgens
149

The #12 Vs the #11, here I think the rankings match up very well with what is likely to go down on the mat. We have two very talented wrestlers, both right in the mix of things at what seems to be at least, the same level. Both Schwab & Popolizio want a win here & flip a coin on prediction, this one can go either way. I think this time, Panthers. 

NORTHERN IOWA: 6
N.C. STATE: 6 

#29 R.J. Weston Vs #12 Jackson Arrington
157

I don't need the Flo team getting bent out of shape & going into super defensive mode based on my perspectives and observations. Next to officiating, doing rankings has to be the most frustrating, thankless job in this sport. Notice how I've been doing collegiate wrestling coverage for over 20 years & during that entire span, I've done rankings of my own exactly once. Doing hours upon hours of research, comparisons, & having to deal with the insane amount of parity that wrestling has to offer?  Then on top of it having know-it-alls like me nitpicking every little thing? NO THANK YOU.  I personally feel that for the most part Flo does a good job & I want to make it clear that I have no issue with R.J. Weston being ranked #29. This is based on fair & concise evaluation of last year's results. If I were trying to rank the top 33 at 157 lbs, I would probably have him somewhere similar.   So I hope I am clear about that.  When I say that I think R.J. Weston is much better than #29, I'm not in hope that J.D. or Jon curse the name JT1Wrestle on their next show.  It's because I think Weston will prove himself to be better throughout the season.  Good? Awesome, excellent, hip hip hurray. 

I still think this is going to be a win for Arrington though. A close win.  A hard fought win, but a win. 

NORTHERN IOWA: 6
N.C. STATE: 9 

#6 Ryder Downey Vs U.R. Will Denny
165

I highly doubt we'll see many bonus point matches in this dual, but of the few that we will see, this will be one of them. A tech or a fall? No, but I do think that Downey will rack up a major decision over Denny. 

NORTHERN IOWA: 10
N.C. STATE: 9

#19 Jared Simma Vs #6 Matty Singleton
174 

In the episode of JT1Wrestle where Cradlezone & I spoke about NCAA DI darkhorses, I named Jared Simma one of mine & think he demonstrates as to why this weekend.  The last these two met, it was a tight 4-2 victory for Singleton & this time I think it'll be Simma who walks away with the victory.  I am calling for an upset. 

NORTHERN IOWA: 13
N.C. STATE: 9 

#31 C.J. Walrath Vs U.R. Andrew Macchiavello
184

Whether it is Donald Cates or Andrew Macchiavello the mission here remains exactly the same. The Wolfpack must absolutely NOT give up bonus points in this match.  There are a lot of could go either way confrontations in this dual & there's only one weight class where I can see bonus points happening for the Wolfpack.  On the other hand I think bonus points are pretty much a shoe-in for Northern Iowa at 165 lbs.  The Panthers of course, want that major, that tech or if possible that fall.  3 points are always nice to put up on the board, but those 4, 5 & especially 6's are even nicer.  I'm thinking only a dec though. 

NORTHERN IOWA: 16
N.C. STATE: 9

U.R. Kalob Runyon Vs #15 Patrick Brophy
197

Patrick Brophy's transfer must be such recent news that N.C. State has yet to get him a photo for his roster shot. Nonetheless the former Bulldog has joined the Wolfpack & his assistance will be greatly needed as this dual heads into the 197 lbs match. At this point, to avoid what is on paper a major upset as a team, Brophy cannot afford what is equally a major upset on paper Vs Kalob Runyon.  For N.C. State's sake, bonus points would give the wolfpack some breathing room, but I'm not seeing them. Runyon kept All-American Isaiah Salazar from majoring him, I think he can keep Brophy from majoring him too.  

NORTHERN IOWA: 16
N.C. STATE: 12

#11 Wyatt Voelker Vs #2 Isaac Trumble
HWT

At this point in the war, it is time to bring out the heavy artillery & the Wolfpack has a nuke in the form of Isaach Trumble.  Wyatt Voelker is no salad, but that doesn't mean he won't get tossed. He wasn't exactly a huge 197 lbs'er the last three seasons & while I think eventually, he'll adjust to 285, I do not think he has the size or the strength at the moment to go toe-to-toe with the #2 HWT right now. N.C. State I feel is going to need a fall here & I think they're going to get one. 

NORTHERN IOWA: 16
N.C. STATE: 16 

===

Criteria & a fall > major will be what prevails the Wolfpack over the Panthers by a nosehair.  Can one really predict a tie, needing to be decided by criteria? The probability isn't zero, but it's sure a hell of a lot closer to zero than it is one hundred.  My main point here, is that I think this is going to be a great dual meet.  A lot of back and forth.  A lot of matches coming down to the wire.  Winning where you weren't supposed to win.  Bonusing where you weren't supposed to bonus.  Avoiding a bonus, where they were sure there would be bonus. These are the things that are going to win this dual.  Saying that, I feel very comfortable with.