James Hackney
#30 Oklahoma (7-5) vs #9 Missouri (6-2) – Feb. 3rd @7PM on ESPN+
After going 0-2 in the state of Iowa the Sooners return home for two more duals. First they’ll take on returning Big 12 champs #9 Missouri in a big conference dual at home. Last year Mizzou won the dual 23-14 that saw OU win four matches. OU is currently 1-3 in conference, so this would be a massive win for the team if they could pull off the upset. The team’s lineup has started to look like it’s becoming more entrenched with Picklo breaking out at 174.
For the Sooners they have some chances to get big wins here, even if the team loses. There are toss up matches at 125, 141, 149, 184, and 285. OU isn’t favored in any of the matches, so any wins would be huge. The odds are against them, but OU has spots to make this dual interesting.
125lbs: #21 Joey Prata (14-5) vs #14 Noah Surtin (10-4)
Last year this match was down to the wire, with Surtin getting a 4-3 win with a late takedown. Both wrestlers ended up making the bloodround at NCAA’s, and both have suffered some upset losses this season. Prata’s defensive style can keep him in any match, and that could be interesting with Surtin’s big move potential.
If Prata can get a takedown and keep Surtin down, I think he could pull off an upset. However, Prata has only won by a combined nine points in his last four wins, and all of those were against unranked opponents. He will have to open up more in this match to compete.
Prediction: Surtin Dec. Prata (OU 0 MIZ 3)
133lbs: #27 Wyatt Henson (11-8) vs #26 Conor Brown (8-5)
If OU is looking to get a win, these next two weights are the closest in the rankings. Henson’s coming off two tough pins, but could get a nice win over an established veteran here. His pace could be key here, but he will have to watch the scrambles.
