When it comes time for Midlands, it's full steam ahead for the Hawkeyes.

Since Head Coach Tom Brands took over the reigns in 2006, Iowa has appeared at Midlands every year but one (2012), winning the team title in 9 of the 11 years they were there, including the last five. 

Adding intrigue to the event is that Coach Brands has made the Midlands a quasi-deadline; here is where the rubber meets the road for the Hawks. Whether it's lineup battles, or weight decisions, or guys rounding in to form, Midlands marks the 'go time' point for perhaps the most discussed - beloved and hated - program in college wrestling.

In short - in both entries and performance, all eyes are on the Hawks. And it's awesome.

Last year, at least on paper, Arizona State looked like a team that could challenge Iowa for the title. But that wasn't the case as Iowa, powered by five champs, bested all comers by nearly 50pts. Rutgers was the runner-up and ASU finished 4th. 

Here we'll go through Iowa's entries weight-by-weight and give their stories and outlook. But it's safe to say the Hawkeyes are heavy favorites for their sixth straight team title. They are coming en masse, with twenty rostered wrestlers and two unattached. Ranked 3rd in the latest team rankings, Iowa's next toughest Midlands foe is #9-Princeton. 

Weight By Weight Iowa Outlook for Midlands

125: Entries (2)

#1-Spencer Lee

Perez Perez

Top Ranked in Field: Spencer Lee

Among the most dominant wrestlers in college, Spencer is about as good as a lock. Last year he competed unattached losing a controversial bout to Ronnie Bresser and defaulting to 6th. Those days are long gone as Spencer has transformed into a ATM that spits out points. 

The weight is one of the most loaded featuring #2-Sebastian Rivera along with five others ranked. But it's Spencer's world. He should be the champ and in contention for Outstanding Wrestler honors.

Hawkeye Projection: Spencer Lee - Champion

133: Entries (2)

#11-Austin DeSanto

Paul Glynn

Top Ranked in Field: #1-Seth Gross, South Dakota St. 

Three returning placers from 2017 Midlands are here including Gross who was champ at both Midlands and NCAA. Additionally, NCAA Champ and 4x All American Nathan Tomasello is entered.

Watch for true freshman Joey Silva (MICH), who beat DeSanto at Super 32 twice in high school.

It's not a particularly deep weight. DeSanto projects to a the 3rd place bout. Glynn should win some bouts but it would be a feat for him to make the podium.

Hawkeye Projection: Austin DeSanto - 4th Place

141: Entries (4)

#18-Max Murin

Vince Turk

Carter Happell

Justin Stickley

Top Ranked in Field: #6-Mikey Carr, Illinois

A pretty wide open weight. Despite the highest Hawkeye (Murin) being ranked 18th, they could very well get a finalist here. And the full contingent should push for podium spots. Last year Murin beat Happell in the 5th place match. Turk was two bouts from placing. Buffalo's Bryan Lantry was a Runner-Up here to Gross last year but he may be out with injury. Yahya Thomas and Sa'Derian Perry are unranked competitors that should have a say. 

Watch for tOSU TR Freshman Quinn Kinner to have an impact as well. He beat Happell, but Turk majored him at the Lindenwood Open this year. 

Hawkeye Projection:  Murin - 4th, Happell 5th, Turk 8th

149: Entries (2)

#8-Patrick Lugo

Keegan Shaw

Top Ranked in Field: #1-Matt Kolodzik, Princeton

Lugo's track record is one of inconsistency. He can beat an NCAA finalist but also drop matches to wrestlers you wouldn't imagine he would. He wrestled the nation's #1-Kolodzik to a close bout in the dual, and Lugo is the second highest ranked in the field. He also placed 4th here last year, losing to Maruca (who is in the field) and Deakin.

However there are several serious contenders - six other ranked along with Henry Pohlmeyer, Khristian Olivas, and two blue chip TR FR in Sammy Sasso and Brayton Lee. 

Nothing that Lugo does this weekend should be considered a surprise. He could win the whole thing or lose in the bloodround and I don't think anyone would blink.

My projection is that he drops at least one match that he 'should' win. 

Hawkeye Projection: Patrick Lugo - 5th Place

157: Entries (2)

#7-Kaleb Young 

Jaren Glosser

Top Ranked in Field: #2-Ryan Deakin, Northwestern

Young was 5th last year at Midlands, losing to Jacob Morrissey and Anthony Valencia. Undefeated on the year and now settled into the weight, Young has established himself as a Top 10 guy. 

Deakin has moved up to 157, is now healthy, and is the clear #2 nationally behind Penn State's Jason Nolf. He's the heavy favorite here but the only other wrestler in the field ranked higher than Young is Larry Early of ODU who knocked off NCAA Runner-Up Hayden Hidlay this year. With his ranking and his 5th place finish last year, Young will probably be the third seed opposite of Deakin.

Those lurking are #18-Christian Pagdilao who I like this year, Alex Smythe, and Will Lewan. Ultimately you have to figure Young gets to the semi's and has a chance to punch his ticket to the finals.

Glosser should win a few matches with an outside shot to place. 

Hawkeye Projection: Kaleb Young - 3rd Place

165: Entries (3)

#4-Alex Marinelli

Nelson Brands

Jeremiah Moody

Top Ranked in Field: #2-Evan Wick, Wisconsin

I have three wrestlers that I think have visibly jumped levels. One is Ryan Deakin. The other two are Marinelli and Wick. 

In a weight with several AA-caliber guys (Anthony Valencia, Josh Shields, Bryce Steiert), I still see this as a two-horse race. Wick majored the Bull at NCAA's last March, but I don't see that being replicated. It's a dead heat, in my opinion. I even had to start a twitter poll!

Wick or Marinelli!?

— Willie Saylor (@WillieAtFLO) December 27, 2018

Alright. I lean Wick. But it's my most anticipated bout of the entire week.

And hey - I don't think there's been anyone higher on Nelson Brands than me. And it ain't stopping now. He'll have a fine performance. He's undefeated with a win over #16-Gunther as a TR FR. 

Hawkeye Projection:  Marinelli - 2nd, Brands 6th

174: Entries (1)

Mitch Bowman

Top Ranked in Field: #2-Zahid Valencia, Arizona State

The last time The Dealership revved his engine it was at 197 when he beat the #10 ranked wrestler, Christian Brunner. With Cash entrenched as the Hawkeye starter at 184, blue chipper Jacob Warner coming in at 195 and an injuries to stud Michael Kemerer and then-starter Myles Wilson, Bowman makes the transition to 174. 

The field is relatively deep, with the greyshirting Aaron Brooks included.. Yet Zahid and Taylor Lujan are the only guys ranked in the Top 10. So all the depth comes from back half guys. If Bowman can beat a Top 10 197, it's reasonable to think, if the cut isn't a thing, that he can beat several 174's. 

I have him conservatively as a blood round guy here. Yes, I'm hedging. He could very well place or very well go something like 4-2 or 3-2. 

On one hand, the Brunner win was encouraging. On the other, it was his only career ranked win. And the weight change is something to monitor.

Hawkeye Projection:  Mitch Bowman - Blood Round

184: Entries (1)

#16-Cash Wilcke

Top Ranked in Field: #2-Emery Parker, Illinois

In my opinion this one is a no brainer. Pretty straight forward. If you've read my previous stuff or listened to FRL, you're well aware of my optimism in Wilcke. 

Wilcke doesn't always look the same; there are highs and lows. But he's solid. Look, last year he beat Brucki and Warner (both Top 5 guys now) to win 197 at Midlands. 

So while others might hedge, I have him squarely in the top echelon in this field. Emery Parker won this weight last year at Midlands. And I'm very high on UNI's Drew Foster. But after that, I don't know that I can see anyone beating Wilcke. He's already beaten Kevin Parker soundly. Norfleet is probably the only lower-ranked guy that would make for a threat - at least on paper. Gimme Foster over Wilcke in semi's.

Hawkeye Projection:  Cash Wilcke - 5th Place

197: Entries (2)

#4-Jacob Warner

Connor Corbin

Top Ranked in Field: #3-Patrick Brucki, Princeton

We got just one nibble of Warner in the official Black singlet of the Hawkeyes - a win over All American Willie Miklus in the Cy-Hawk dual. It's go time now for the uber recruit. 

Last year Warner made the semi's before sliding to 6th. Princeton's Patrick Brucki, now ranked 3rd nationally, beat Warner 4-2 in the 5th place bout. Other than Brucki, the only other guy I think can go with Warner in this field is Army's Rocco Caywood, who is quietly ranked 6th in the country. Caywood won his last 11 bouts after an opening day loss (5-2) to Brucki.

I think Warner got a little flustered last year at Midlands after losing to teammate Wilcke. I think with proper focus here, and his second trip to Midlands, he gets it done.

Hawkeye Projection:  Jacob Warner - Champion

285: Entries (3)

#2-Sam Stoll

Anthony Cassioppi

Aaron Costello

Top Ranked in Field: Stoll

It's not often that Heavyweight gets some real shine, but this year at Midlands - with a bona fide NCAA title threat in Stoll and one of the finest HWT prospects in the country in Costello, HWT is a major storyline.

Many want to immediately get to the finals and play the 'what if' game. What if it's Cassioppi and Stoll in the finals? Do they wrestle or forfeit.

Hold on there. Could happen but there are several legit matches that we have to discuss first. There's Youssif Hemida, Trent Hillger and Jake Gunning. There's Tanner Hall and TR FR Mason Parris.

And there's the 'does Stoll wrestle all the way through or make the semi's and default out' scenario.

So many questions. Here's the bottom line for me - I believe Anthony Cassioppi is the absolute truth. I think he wins this tournament. Especially in light of Stoll's uncertain status, I'm going with him. Perhaps I'm crazy. Perhaps I'm biased because I love offense. I just don't see Hemida, Gunning, Hall, or anyone else, for that matter, stopping the offensive machine that is Cassioppi.

All the aforementioned guys (and most heavyweights in history) play it so close to the vest. One takedown doesn't mean the match is over with Cass. Gimme the Frosh.

Hawkeye Projection:  Cassioppi - Champion, Stoll - 4th Place