Wrestling hosts Ohio State in Battle of Top Two Teams

No.1 Penn State Wrestling takes on No.2 Ohio State in the Bryce Jordan Center on Friday night. There is a lot on the line for both teams with many undefeated wrestlers on both squads as well as undefeated team records for both Penn State and Ohio State. 

Even though the Nittany Lions have won 84 straight duals, their dual against the Buckeyes could be their closest dual since their last loss in 2020 against Iowa. Penn State could outright win the Big Ten title with a win and Ohio State could share the Big Ten title with a win. 

Here are my predictions for Penn State’s match against Ohio State:

125: Lilledahl (PSU) vs. Bouzakis/Kilkeary (OSU)

Both Luke Lilledahl and Nic Bouzakis are undefeated this season and are the top two at the 125 weight class. However, Bouzakis looked to be banged up after his match against Iowa’s Dean Peterson so he may be unavailable. The speed of Lilledahl vs the power of Bouzakis could be put on display for all wrestling fans. 

Prediction: Lilledahl wins 7-2

133: Blaze (PSU) vs. Davino (OSU)

One of the best matches of the dual is set at 133 between two undefeated unfreshmen in Marcus Blaze and Ben Davino. It will be their first meeting at the college level, but Blaze and Davino have faced off in the past where Davino got the best of Blaze. A lot has changed since then and the match might be the biggest toss up of the entire dual. 

Prediction: Blaze wins 4-1 (sv)

141: Davis (PSU) vs. Mendez (OSU)

Braeden Davis sat out of Penn State’s last dual against Michigan where Nathan Desmond got the start. However, Ohio State’s Jesse Mendez has been dominating all season with an undefeated record and the number one in the 141 weight class. No matter who Penn State sends out, Mendez will be able wrestle at his best. 

Prediction: Mendez wins 19-4

149: Van Ness (PSU) vs. Stiles (OSU)

Penn State’s Shayne Van Ness has yet to lose this season and is currently the number one at 149 pounds. He is set for a match against Ohio State’s Ethan Stiles who was ranked very highly for most of the season until he suffered a loss in the Buckeyes’ match against Wisconsin. Van Ness has wrestled patiently all season leading to 16 wins. 

Prediction: Van Ness wins 9-4

157: Duke (PSU) vs. Shaw/Desselle (OSU)

Ohio State announced the number one ranked Brandon Cannon would not be wrestling for another week with his last match being against Minnesota in January. What could have been a top five matchup between Cannon and Penn State’s PJ Duke will be a match between Duke and one of Ohio State’s backups in Maddox Shaw or Landon Desselle. 

Prediction: Duke wins 13-3

165: Mesenbrink (PSU) vs. Gallagher/Birden (OSU)

With Ohio State’s Paddy Gallagher struggling early in the season, it has been a tandem at 165 between Gallagher and e’Than Birden. Penn State hasn’t worried about 165 all season with reigning national champion Mitchell Mesenbrink winning every match so far by bonus points. Mesenbrink is one of the favorites to win the Dan Hodge Trophy if he can continue his dominance all the way to NCAAs.

Prediction: Mesenbrink wins 20-5

174: Haines (PSU) vs. Kharchla (OSU)

Penn State’s Levi Haines and Ohio State’s Carson Kharchla wrestled each other last season with Haines narrowly beating Kharchla 6-4 in last year’s dual. Both wrestlers have faced similar opponents this season with Haines beating Nebraska’s Christopher Minto and Kharchla and Minto splitting matches with wins from both wrestlers. 

Prediction: Haines wins 7-2

184: Welsh (PSU) vs Fishback (OSU)

Penn State Rocco Welsh will take on his former school for the first time in his college career after transferring to the Nittany Lions this past offseason. Welsh will take on NC State transfer Dylan Fishback who filled in Welsh’s vacant spot. It will be a homecoming match for Welsh in front of his new home against his replacement. 

Prediction: Welsh wins 5-2

197: Barr (PSU) vs. Geog (OSU)

Ohio State’s Luke Geog has wrestled multiple tough opponents with matches against Wyoming’s Joey Novak, Iowa State’s Rocky Elam, Oregon State’s Justin Rademacher, Nebraska’s Camden McDanel and now Penn State’s Josh Barr. Barr is one of those undefeated Nittany Lions who hasn’t been stopped yet this season and can continue his undefeated streak against Geog.

Prediction: Barr wins 11-3 

HWT: Mirasola (PSU) vs. Feldman (OSU)

Penn State’s Cole Mirasola has been tested in his first season as a starter and he’ll get his toughest match yet against Ohio State’s Nick Feldman. Mirasola and Feldman wrestled each other last season in one of Mirasola’s few duals where Feldman beat Mirasola 10-3. Feldman will return to his home state of Pennsylvania to wrestle in front of a packed crowd of Nittany Lion fans.

Prediction: Feldman wins 13-3

Dual Prediction: Penn State beats Ohio State 28-9