They say to save the best for last, and boy howdy, did the schedule makers do that this year. In a battle between the two best teams not named Penn State (and the two historically best programs), the #2 Oklahoma State Cowboys (13-0) visit Iowa City Sunday, February 23rd to face the #3 Iowa Hawkeyes (13-1) in Carver-Hawkeye Arena at 7:30 CST. The dual will be broadcast on the Big 10 network, so better figure out early how you are going to watch it, because it looks to be the top matchup of the year.
Much like Oklahoma State, Iowa has picked up a number of notable transfers to shore up their program, headlined by poaching Stephen Buchanan from OU right before the school year started. The Hawkeyes only loss was a couple weeks ago to Penn State, a 30-9 drubbing, which to be fair, Penn State has done to everyone this year. These teams have had two common opponents this year. OSU beat Iowa State 27-12 while Iowa won 21-15 and OSU Beat Oregon State 36-3 while Iowa “only” won 30-7. Most previews have this match super close and usually have the bonus point potential of OSU being the difference. As you will see in the preview, this match may really come down to who Iowa wrestles at 184, as Iowa has saved one date for redshirting freshman Angelo Ferrari, who Coach Brands may throw out against Dustin Plott. A win would be the first for OSU in Iowa City since 2012.
Let’s get to the probable matchups. Rankings by Intermat, records by Wrestlestat, predictions by me.
125: (4) Troy Spratley (16-3) v. (16) Joey Cruz (10-7): One of the potential bonus point matches for OSU, Spratley earned a tech fall over Cruz last time they wrestled, in November 2023. In Cruz’ favor to avoid being bonused is that he has only given up bonus points twice this year. PREDICTION: Spratley by major decision. OSU 4-0.
133: (21) Reece Witcraft (9-4) or Cael Hughes (7-1) v. (2) Drake Ayala (14-1): I anticipate Witcraft will get the call where, and he has a tall order going against last year’s 2nd place winner at NCAA’s, but at 125. They have only wrestled once before, way back in 2022, where Ayala dominated Witcraft, 17-6. Witcraft has been known to pull off a crazy move or two, but has also gotten himself in trouble on occasion. Ayala has a chance at bonus here, as he has had a 53% bonus rate this year, but mostly against lower competition. I think Reece keeps it close enough to not give up any extra points. PREDICTION: Ayala by decision. OSU 4-3.
