#2 Iowa will welcome #4 Ohio State to Carver-Hawkeye arena on Saturday, January 25 in what has the potential to be one of the best duals of the weekend. This match will go down at 2:00 pm (ET) and will be streamed live on the Big Ten Network. Check out the below article for a full preview and prediction for every match in this incredible dual.

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Iowa vs Ohio State Probable Starting Lineups

125: #29 Joey Cruz, Iowa vs #12 Brendan McCrone, Ohio State

133: #2 Drake Ayala, Iowa vs #10 Nic Bouzakis/Ben Davino, Ohio State

141: #20 Ryder Block/Jace Rhodes, Iowa vs #1 Jesse Mendez, Ohio State

149: #4 Kyle Parco, Iowa vs #10 Dylan D’Emilio, Ohio State

157: #1 Jacori Teemer/Miguel Estrada, Iowa vs #19 Sammy Sasso/Brandon Cannon, Ohio State

165: #2 Mikey Caliendo, Iowa vs #13 Paddy Gallagher, Ohio State

174: #5 Patrick Kennedy, Iowa vs #6 Carson Kharchla, Ohio State

184: #5 Gabe Arnold/Angelo Ferrari, Iowa vs #20 Ryder Rogotzke, Ohio State

197: #1 Stephen Buchanan, Iowa vs #18 Seth Shumate, Ohio State

285: #11 Ben Kueter, Iowa vs #5 Nick Feldman, Ohio State

125: #29 Joey Cruz, Iowa vs #12 Brendan McCrone, Ohio State

Brendan McCrone has put together a solid year for the Buckeyes with a 17-5 record with 13 bonus point victories (7 pins, 3 techs, and 3 majors). McCrone will be a big favorite against Iowa’s Joey Cruz and it wouldn’t be surprising if McCrone secured bonus points in this one. Cruz was majored earlier this year by Army’s Charlie Farmer and McCrone is a tier above Farmer. Despite that, Cruz seems to have hit his stride the past few matches and even recorded a significant win over #21 Nicolar Rivera (8-2) in Iowa’s dual win over Wisconsin. Because of how Cruz has been wrestling lately, I think he can hold this match to a decision against McCrone. 

Prediction: McCrone by decision

Dual score prediction: Iowa 0, Ohio State 3

133: #2 Drake Ayala, Iowa vs #10 Nic Bouzakis/Ben Davino, Ohio State

The match between Ayala and Bouzakis has the potential to be the match of the night. The two have never wrestled in their careers but have interesting results against common opponents this year. Ayala is fresh off a 4-2 win over All-American #3 Lucas Byrd - Byrd notably defeated Bouzakis 2 weeks ago in overtime (8-5). However, Bouzakis notably defeated #6 Tyler Knox (17-7) at the CKLV less than a month after Knox defeated Ayala (15-10). I give Ayala a slight edge entering the match against Bouzakis - Ayala is just a little more solid in all positions and I think his neutral offense will be the difference in this one.

However, in this dual, Ben Davino could be the x-factor at 133 for Ohio State. Davino is a true freshman and still has two dates available to wrestle attached for the Buckeyes and keep his redshirt. Davino has put together a fantastic year so far with a 17-1 record highlighted by victory over Nic Bouzakis while only losing to All-American #9 Dylan Shawver (3-2 in overtime). Davino has fantastic neutral offense and might match up better against Ayala than Bouzakis.

Prediction: Ayala by decision

Dual score prediction: Iowa 3, Ohio State 3

141: #20 Ryder Block/Jace Rhodes, Iowa vs #1 Jesse Mendez, Ohio State

National champion Jesse Mendez has been outstanding this year with a 19-0 record and 15 wins coming by bonus (5 pins, 8 techs, 2 majors). Mendez will be a huge favorite against whoever he faces on Saturday and I expect him to end the match early with either a tech or a pin.

Prediction: Mendez by tech fall

Dual score prediction: Iowa 3, Ohio State 8

Watch Jesse Mendez’s win over #4 Tagen Jamison in the 2024 CKLV Finals:

149: #4 Kyle Parco, Iowa vs #10 Dylan D’Emilio, Ohio State

Parco and D’Emilio have wrestled once in their college career - last season at the 2023 CKLV. In that match, Parco won a controlling 11-1 major decision. Parco showed he holds the advantage both on his feet and on the mat in that bout by securing 2 takedowns, 3-nearfall points, and over two minutes of riding time. I expect their match in this dual to be closer but still think that Paco should be a considerable favorite.

Prediction: Parco by decision

Dual score prediction: Iowa 6, Ohio State 8

Watch Parco's win over D'Emilio:

157: #1 Jacori Teemer/Miguel Estrada, Iowa vs #19 Sammy Sasso/Brandon Cannon, Ohio State

We haven’t seen top-ranked Jacori Teemer wrestle since sustaining a hamstring injury on November 23 against Paniro Johnson in the Iowa-Iowa State dual. Until this week, Teemer hasn’t been listed in the probables but Coach Brands sounded optimistic about Teemer’s status this week. Because of Coach Brands’ comments, and with this being a close dual, I think there’s a good chance we see Teemer on Saturday against Sammy Sasso. 

Sasso has understandably struggled to get back to peak form since sustaining a gunshot injury in August 2023. He started the year at 165 and suffered close losses to Jared Keslar, Terrell Barraclough, and Bubba Wilson. Since dropping to 157, Sasso is 6-2 with his losses coming against Joey Blaze (5-1) and Jackson Arrington (by pin). Sasso will be an underdog against Teemer but should be considered a favorite against Estrada.

Prediction: Teemer by decision

Dual score prediction: Iowa 9, Ohio State 8

165: #2 Mikey Caliendo, Iowa vs #13 Paddy Gallagher, Ohio State

Caliendo has been phenomenal this year for the Hawkeyes with a 12-0 record and 9 wins by bonus (1 pin, 6 techs, and 2 majors). Caliendo has displayed outstanding offense this year and has scored 15 or more points in 8 of his 12 matches. 

Gallagher is only 1-0 at 165 pinning Purdue’s Stoney Buell in the first period last weekend. Gallagher has always been an All-American threat and has notable wins over Paniro Johnson, Ryder Downey, Peyten Kellar, and several other ranked wrestlers. This will be a huge test for Gallagher and will immediately tell us where he falls in the landscape at 165 pounds. Will Gallagher be able to slow down Caliendo on Saturday? I think Gallagher can keep things close but I give Caliendo the edge and expect him to win by a takedown or two on Saturday.

Prediction: Caliendo by major decision

Dual score prediction: Iowa 13, Ohio State 8

174: #5 Patrick Kennedy, Iowa vs #6 Carson Kharchla, Ohio State

The match at 174 has the potential to be the bout of the night. Both Kharchla and Kennedy are undefeated on the year and look poised to reach the podium this year at NCAAs. Kennedy has had a slightly more impressive season with 6 of his 8 wins coming by bonus (5 techs and 1 pin). Kennedy’s constant pressure and offense have been phenomenal this year and because of that, I give him a slight edge in this matchup against Kharchla.

Prediction: Kennedy by decision

Dual score prediction: Iowa 16, Ohio State 8

184: #5 Gabe Arnold/Angelo Ferrari, Iowa vs #20 Ryder Rogotzke, Ohio State

Gabe Arnold is currently 10-0 on the year and has established himself as a clear All-American contender at 184 pounds. Based on collegiate results, Arnold should be considered a significant favorite against Rogotzke but their history from high school makes this matchup especially interesting. Rogotzke and Arnold wrestled back at the 2021 Cadet World Team Trials where Rogotzke defeated Arnold twice (by pin and 3-1). Rogotzke is about as tricky as they come and he shouldn’t be underestimated against Arnold.

Another wrinkle in this matchup is that Angelo Ferrari is listed in the probables and has had a fantastic true freshman season. Ferrari is 9-0 on the year and the Hawkeyes notably used Ferrari against Iowa State. In that dual, Ferrari impressively defeated #14 Evan Bockman 8-2 to help give Iowa the dual win over the Cyclones. Coach Brands has been vocal that Ferrari is an option this year for Iowa at 184 and he still has two dates to use before his redshirt is pulled. 

Prediction: Arnold by decision

Dual score prediction: Iowa 19, Ohio State 8

Watch Rogotzke's win over Arnold from the 2021 Cadet WTT:

Hear Gabe Arnold talk about his mental health, the situation at 184 with teammate Angelo Ferrari, shining in the limelight, and more:

197: #1 Stephen Buchanan, Iowa vs #18 Seth Shumate, Ohio State

Stephen Buchanan is currently 12-0 on the year with 10 of his wins coming by bonus points (2 pins, 5 techs, and 3 majors). Of those 12 matches, Buchanan has wins over 5 ranked wrestlers - #13 Zac Braunagel (13-2), #16 Luke Stout (18-3), #19 Christian Carroll (10-0), #22 Nick Stemmet (17-1), and #8 Trey Munoz (9-5). Buchanan, already a 3-time All-American is a clear title contender this season and will be a big favorite against Ohio State’s Seth Shumate.

Shumate took over the 197-pound starting spot after Luke Geog went down with an injury at the CKLV. Shumate has been solid with a ranked win over #13 Zac Braunagel and a close loss to #17 John Poznanski. Shumate is great on his feet but sometimes has trouble on the mat and finishing matches as strong as he starts them. Because of that, I expect Buchanan to win this match in controlling fashion with the potential to push for bonus points.

Prediction: Buchanan by major decision

Dual score prediction: Iowa 23, Ohio State 8

285: #11 Ben Kueter, Iowa vs #5 Nick Feldman, Ohio State

The matchup between Kueter and Feldman will feature two of the most athletic heavyweights in college wrestling. Feldman placed 5th last season at the NCAA Tournament and has notable wins this season over #8 Yaraslau Slavikouski, #9 Luke Luffman, and Nathan Taylor. Kueter was the #2 overall recruit in the class of 2023 but has yet to record a win over an All-American. This could be Kueter’s opportunity to record a statement win, especially considering he’s coming off a close loss to Illinois’ Luke Luffman.

Both Kueter and Feldman are solid on the mat and I expect this match to come down to who wins the takedown battle. Feldman has shown more consistency with his ability to get to his opponents’ legs and seems to finish with a higher frequency than Kueter. Because of this, I give Feldman a slight edge in this match-up on Saturday but Kueter is more than capable of coming away with the victory.

Prediction: Feldman by decision

Final Dual Prediction: Iowa 23, Ohio State 11

Watch Nick Feldman’s win over Nathan Taylor from the 2024 Clarion Open: