FloRadioLive, episode 95

[Tom McAndrew]

can be accessed at THIS LINK.

The issues discussed include:

0:02 CV/CD fallout - Both Coaches Suspended
0:03 Bloomsburg forfeit situation explained by 6 season ending injuries
0:04 Twitter etiquette - Team Mute or Team Block?
0:08 Scheduling error in Michigan/ high school intricacies - AD/Coach are to blame
0:19 NWCA Duals have created importance this weekend
0:32 NC State’s weekend - Is 0-2 possible?
0:38 Skin infections - Lack of perspective in article.
0:42 Concussion reports - Who is cooking the books?
0:47 Willie Pick’ems
0:55 Does Nevills wrestle? Impact on B10 qualifiers.

(Note: the above are approximations of when the specific subject started)

I enjoyed this episode of FLR. That said, I wasn't all that enamored with one of Vais/Christian Pyles' points in the discussion, when CP and Willie were discussing the NWCA Duals.

Below is my transcribing of what they said. It's not 100%, in that conversation doesn't always lend itself to sentences.


CP: You know what, not only do they have a gripe in that they are undefeated in the Big Ten, but an additional gripe that they have . Now don’t get me wrong, I personally believe that Penn State is the better team; I think they would beat Iowa in a dual, I think it’s actually a bad match-up for Iowa in a dual. But one team in this scenario got on the phone and scheduled a really, really tough dual, and that was Iowa. They called up Oklahoma State and dualed them. Penn State didn’t go that length out of conference. They scheduled Lehigh. And you know what they didn’t have to; they didn’t need to. And maybe they didn’t really care about having a tougher schedule and they figured if they took care of business they’d be ranked #1, and they’re right.

Willie: Don’t say that. Penn State had an independent dual with Iowa the other year, right?

CP: Sure

Willie: I guess what I’m saying it’s not like Penn State particularly avoids tough duals.

CP: No, they’re not avoiding Iowa. I’m not saying that. I’m saying, one team made it a point to have a slightly tougher schedule, and the other team didn’t. And that’s fine, but ultimately Iowa is the team that scheduled tougher duals, and is going to be left out in the cold to a degree. And perhaps deservedly so. If they had run roughshot through every team that way Penn State has, maybe they would be #1.

Willie: Was this set in motion week 1? When the NWCA Coaches Panel rankings came out in week 1, was Penn State number 1?

CP: I don’t think so. I think Oklahoma St. was. Penn State’s freshmen weren’t ranked, Nolf and Nickal were, like barely … maybe Nolf was kind of high, but Nickal wasn’t.

Willie: It’s based on rankings, right?

CP: Yeah, it’s based on rankings

Willie: I would agree that Penn State would be the favorite, and is the stronger dual team, and is deservedly the #1 ranked team in the country. But, for Iowa to not have a shot is, I think, disappointing.

CP: Yeah, it’s disappointing. So I turn the focus to the Big Ten. And, now, this is me adding things to the schedule, and maybe it’s not reasonable, but you said this to me the other day, but what about a plus one? I mean it’s clear that it’s Iowa and it’s Penn State. So just add that at the end, Big Ten. Or have some flexibility. Maybe spare Penn State the Michigan State dual, and have a relevant dual at the end.

Willie: If the two teams that are at the top of the Big Ten standings have not met, have a date, have a plus one. Yes, add this to your schedule to determine the Bowl Series #1. Work with us.

CP: And to be fair, Penn State did go to Virginia Tech this year, which is a very tough team.


If roles were reversed, and PSU was sitting undefeated, but #2, and Iowa was sitting undefeated, but #1, I might, as a fan, feel as if the NWCA Dual Championship Series did have some problems with their process. But that would be a fan complaining about an undefeated team not having an opportunity compete for the #1 spot.

I did take some issue with Vais/CP's basic premise that Iowa had a tougher dual schedule. Below is a look at the teams the two OOC teams Penn State and Iowa faced, as well as the respective rankings of the opponents at the time of the match.

PSU:
Lock Haven
@ Virginia Tech (#7)
@ CSU Bakersfield
@ Stanford (#18)
@ Rider
@ Lehigh (#14)

Iowa:
Oklahoma State (#1)
Grand Canyon
Iowa Central Community College
Cornell College
South Dakota St
@ Iowa State (#17)
@ Montana State - Northern

While Oklahoma was rated higher than any OOC team that PSU faced, it's not as though PSU was avoiding tough teams, or trying to land an easy OOC schedule. They actually faced more ranked teams than did Iowa. Plus, most of PSU's OOC competitions took place on the opponent's mat, which was not the case with Iowa.

I think CP had a stronger argument with the undefeated record, but his additional gripe for Iowa was pretty questionable, IMHO.

 

[nitlion6]

Does somebody get a prize or something for being ranked number 1 at the conclusion of the dual series?
I think it was I take this side you take that side and let's see if we can stir the pot a bit. See if we can create a conversation? I certainly have no problem with that.

I do have a problem with the B1G not figuring out a way to annually schedule Penn State and Iowa. With all due respect to Ohio State and what they have accomplished the two biggest names in college wrestling are Penn State and Iowa.

 

[Franklin_Restores_TheTradition]

can be accessed at THIS LINK.

The issues discussed include:

0:02 CV/CD fallout - Both Coaches Suspended
0:03 Bloomsburg forfeit situation explained by 6 season ending injuries
0:04 Twitter etiquette - Team Mute or Team Block?
0:08 Scheduling error in Michigan/ high school intricacies - AD/Coach are to blame
0:19 NWCA Duals have created importance this weekend
0:32 NC State’s weekend - Is 0-2 possible?
0:38 Skin infections - Lack of perspective in article.
0:42 Concussion reports - Who is cooking the books?
0:47 Willie Pick’ems
0:55 Does Nevills wrestle? Impact on B10 qualifiers.

(Note: the above are approximations of when the specific subject started)

I enjoyed this episode of FLR. That said, I wasn't all that enamored with one of Vais/Christian Pyles' points in the discussion, when CP and Willie were discussing the NWCA Duals.

Below is my transcribing of what they said. It's not 100%, in that conversation doesn't always lend itself to sentences.


CP: You know what, not only do they have a gripe in that they are undefeated in the Big Ten, but an additional gripe that they have . Now don’t get me wrong, I personally believe that Penn State is the better team; I think they would beat Iowa in a dual, I think it’s actually a bad match-up for Iowa in a dual. But one team in this scenario got on the phone and scheduled a really, really tough dual, and that was Iowa. They called up Oklahoma State and dualed them. Penn State didn’t go that length out of conference. They scheduled Lehigh. And you know what they didn’t have to; they didn’t need to. And maybe they didn’t really care about having a tougher schedule and they figured if they took care of business they’d be ranked #1, and they’re right.

Willie: Don’t say that. Penn State had an independent dual with Iowa the other year, right?

CP: Sure

Willie: I guess what I’m saying it’s not like Penn State particularly avoids tough duals.

CP: No, they’re not avoiding Iowa. I’m not saying that. I’m saying, one team made it a point to have a slightly tougher schedule, and the other team didn’t. And that’s fine, but ultimately Iowa is the team that scheduled tougher duals, and is going to be left out in the cold to a degree. And perhaps deservedly so. If they had run roughshot through every team that way Penn State has, maybe they would be #1.

Willie: Was this set in motion week 1? When the NWCA Coaches Panel rankings came out in week 1, was Penn State number 1?

CP: I don’t think so. I think Oklahoma St. was. Penn State’s freshmen weren’t ranked, Nolf and Nickal were, like barely … maybe Nolf was kind of high, but Nickal wasn’t.

Willie: It’s based on rankings, right?

CP: Yeah, it’s based on rankings

Willie: I would agree that Penn State would be the favorite, and is the stronger dual team, and is deservedly the #1 ranked team in the country. But, for Iowa to not have a shot is, I think, disappointing.

CP: Yeah, it’s disappointing. So I turn the focus to the Big Ten. And, now, this is me adding things to the schedule, and maybe it’s not reasonable, but you said this to me the other day, but what about a plus one? I mean it’s clear that it’s Iowa and it’s Penn State. So just add that at the end, Big Ten. Or have some flexibility. Maybe spare Penn State the Michigan State dual, and have a relevant dual at the end.

Willie: If the two teams that are at the top of the Big Ten standings have not met, have a date, have a plus one. Yes, add this to your schedule to determine the Bowl Series #1. Work with us.

CP: And to be fair, Penn State did go to Virginia Tech this year, which is a very tough team.


If roles were reversed, and PSU was sitting undefeated, but #2, and Iowa was sitting undefeated, but #1, I might, as a fan, feel as if the NWCA Dual Championship Series did have some problems with their process. But that would be a fan complaining about an undefeated team not having an opportunity compete for the #1 spot.

I did take some issue with Vais/CP's basic premise that Iowa had a tougher dual schedule. Below is a look at the teams the two OOC teams Penn State and Iowa faced, as well as the respective rankings of the opponents at the time of the match.

PSU:
Lock Haven
@ Virginia Tech (#7)
@ CSU Bakersfield
@ Stanford (#18)
@ Rider
@ Lehigh (#14)

Iowa:
Oklahoma State (#1)
Grand Canyon
Iowa Central Community College
Cornell College
@ Iowa State (#17)
@ Montana State - Northern

While Oklahoma was rated higher than any OOC team that PSU faced, it's not as though PSU was avoiding tough teams, or trying to land an easy OOC schedule. They actually faced more ranked teams than did Iowa. Plus, most of PSU's OOC competitions took place on the opponent's mat, which was not the case with Iowa.

I think CP had a stronger argument with the undefeated record, but his additional gripe for Iowa was pretty questionable, IMHO.

PSU also wrestled a far more difficult b1g schedule - Iowa did not wrestle PSU or tO$U. Iowa vs tO$U is more-or-less a toss up on paper....PSU beat tO$U soundly. Absolutely absurd to claim that PSU should not be the higher ranked team in the "Dual Rankings" which Is what was used as the determining factor here. Given that Okie State also lost to NC State and almost lost to MinnyHaHa, I'm doubtful that Okie State would even beat tO$U with their upgraded line-up now that they have pulled shirts and gone all in. PSU's win over a full-srength tO$U is more impressive than Iowa's win over Okie State especially the margin of victory.

 

[SetonHallPirate]

Franklin, Iowa also missed Michigan.

Yeah, anybody who argues for Iowa over Penn State, in my opinion, is probably fighting a losing battle.

See you all next weekend in Happy Valley! (if you're wondering what I'm doing at 4:30 in the morning, getting ready to fly up to Raleigh for the weekend)

 

[Flying_Tiger]

Wow, I like CP but he's being a bit obtuse here. The ONLY reason OSU was scheduled last minute was to break Penn State's record. They needed a big name and got it. Who did they schedule otherwise, 4 non Division One teams and ISU. That is an embarrassment for a top tier wrestling program, especially considering they didn't have Penn State, tOSU or Michigan on the BigTen schedule. Penn State meanwhile had Lehigh and Virginia Tech in addition to tOSU and Michigan.

 

[dunkej01]

Let's all not forget....we could have wrestled iowa ooc this year but cael wanted iowa to come east. We were out there ooc last year and we go out there again next year.....

Iowa couldn't make it happen so it didnt. Anything else is spin it's that simple.

 

[El-Jefe]

"But one team in this scenario got on the phone and scheduled a really, really tough dual, and that was Iowa. They called up Oklahoma State and dualed them. Penn State didn’t go that length out of conference."

One could just as easily claim that Iowa called up Montana State Northern and dualed them.

Honestly, this is all deflection. The real blame belongs with Jim Delany. The conference powers are reasonably balanced east vs. west. The conference should've split east and west divisions, you play the other 6 in your division + 1 locked on the other side + 2 random from the other side.

 

[ChristianPyles]

Wow, I like CP but he's being a bit obtuse here. The ONLY reason OSU was scheduled last minute was to break Penn State's record. They needed a big name and got it. Who did they schedule otherwise, 4 non Division One teams and ISU. That is an embarrassment for a top tier wrestling program, especially considering they didn't have Penn State, tOSU or Michigan on the BigTen schedule. Penn State meanwhile had Lehigh and Virginia Tech in addition to tOSU and Michigan.

New to the scene FT?

Iowa wrestles Ok State every year. It wasn't some last second addition. OSU was coming to Iowa to wrestle, just a matter of when and where.

One team scheduled a team that was an actual threat, one didn't. That's undeniable.

PSU is better. Everyone knows it.

 

[burnsie1983]

New to the scene FT?

Iowa wrestles Ok State every year. It wasn't some last second addition. OSU was coming to Iowa to wrestle, just a matter of when and where.

One team scheduled a team that was an actual threat, one didn't. That's undeniable.

PSU is better. Everyone knows it.

CP, you're smart enough to know that strength of schedule can't be determined by one match. And even to your point, is going on the road to VT that much easier than hosting OSU? Even if I concede that point, the rest of PSU's schedule was tougher, including going to the Scuffle vs a depleted Midlands.

 

[James P. Whitters III]

New to the scene FT?

Iowa wrestles Ok State every year. It wasn't some last second addition. OSU was coming to Iowa to wrestle, just a matter of when and where.

One team scheduled a team that was an actual threat, one didn't. That's undeniable.

PSU is better. Everyone knows it.

I would argue this point on pure semantics alone. VA Tech is a threat to anyone in a dual situation. I might even be tempted to call them a greater dual threat than the Pokes are without Jo Jo Smith in the line up. How can you, as an unbiased journalist really make a claim that "one team scheduled a team that was an actual threat, one didn't. " Have you spoken with Coach Dresser about how he can transform his team into a dual meet threat? All that said Christian I really do appreciate the quality wrestling coverage and the passion for the sport Flo brings to us every day.

My best guess for this threatening dual had PSU wrestled opening day instead of Iowa
125- Nico 3-0
133-JC 6-0
141- Heil 6-3
149- Zain 12-3
157- Nolf 16-3
165-Ringer 16-7
174- Bo 19-7
184- Cutch-21-7
197- MM- 25-7
285- Marsden- 25-12

Not all that threatening in retrospect.

 

[dane63]

New to the scene FT?

Iowa wrestles Ok State every year. It wasn't some last second addition. OSU was coming to Iowa to wrestle, just a matter of when and where.

One team scheduled a team that was an actual threat, one didn't. That's undeniable.

PSU is better. Everyone knows it.

You can honestly say at the beginning of the year that VaTech was not a threat? Easily the most contested dual of the year....

 

[ChristianPyles]

How can you, as an unbiased journalist really make a claim that "one team scheduled a team that was an actual threat, one didn't. " Have you spoken with Coach Dresser about how he can transform his team into a dual meet threat?

I've been working really hard to constrain my unbridled hatred of Virginia Tech. Not that easy my friend. Guess I'm either incredibly biased or simply have an opinion.

 

[T J]

I would argue this point on pure semantics alone. VA Tech is a threat to anyone in a dual situation. I might even be tempted to call them a greater dual threat than the Pokes are without Jo Jo Smith in the line up. How can you, as an unbiased journalist really make a claim that "one team scheduled a team that was an actual threat, one didn't. " Have you spoken with Coach Dresser about how he can transform his team into a dual meet threat? All that said Christian I really do appreciate the quality wrestling coverage and the passion for the sport Flo brings to us every day.

My best guess for this threatening dual had PSU wrestled opening day instead of Iowa
125- Nico 3-0
133-JC 6-0
141- Heil 6-3
149- Zain 12-3
157- Nolf 16-3
165-Ringer 16-7
174- Bo 19-7
184- Cutch-21-7
197- MM- 25-7
285- Marsden- 25-12

Not all that threatening in retrospect.

Only 2 Team points for a Cutch win?
Was it because of all the stall calls against his opponent?

j/k

 

[SetonHallPirate]

T J, I assume you mean a McCutcheon win.

 

[James P. Whitters III]

I was educated in Iowa. Enough said.

 

[T J]

I was educated in Iowa. Enough said.

Iowa had the highest literacy rate in the US for a long time, so that's not too shabby.

Liked your analysis and appreciate your posts JPWTT.

 

[CSauertiegPSU]

I would argue this point on pure semantics alone. VA Tech is a threat to anyone in a dual situation. I might even be tempted to call them a greater dual threat than the Pokes are without Jo Jo Smith in the line up. How can you, as an unbiased journalist really make a claim that "one team scheduled a team that was an actual threat, one didn't. " Have you spoken with Coach Dresser about how he can transform his team into a dual meet threat? All that said Christian I really do appreciate the quality wrestling coverage and the passion for the sport Flo brings to us every day.

My best guess for this threatening dual had PSU wrestled opening day instead of Iowa
125- Nico 3-0
133-JC 6-0
141- Heil 6-3
149- Zain 12-3
157- Nolf 16-3
165-Ringer 16-7
174- Bo 19-7
184- Cutch-21-7
197- MM- 25-7
285- Marsden- 25-12

Not all that threatening in retrospect.

Not a chance in hell that Nolf doesn't tech Chance

 

[T J]

T J, I assume you mean a McCutcheon win.

Yup - Thanks SetonHallPirate.

 

[BruceK-PSU83]

Does somebody get a prize or something for being ranked number 1 at the conclusion of the dual series?
I think it was I take this side you take that side and let's see if we can stir the pot a bit. See if we can create a conversation? I certainly have no problem with that.

This^^^. The discussion is just pot-stirring, and doesn't merit more than a "meh". Certainly not worth getting spun up about.

 

[James P. Whitters III]

Iowa the highest literacy rate in the US for a long time, so that's not too shabby.

Liked your analysis and appreciate your posts JPWTT.

Iowa still boasts a pretty strong public educational system. Many small schools in the rural areas have linked with local colleges to offer advanced classes otherwise not available in a small school. I happen to be one that obviously struggles with elementary math. Good catch on your part.

 

[James P. Whitters III]

Not a chance in hell that Nolf doesn't tech Chance

I was being nice. I figured there would be a concussion protocol at the perfect time?

 

[Brian LB-U]

VT at #7 is a bit misleading. Epperly and Brascetta both sat out nearly the entire season (but not the PSU dual) and are just now returning to the lineup.

 

[KidNittany]

New to the scene FT?

Iowa wrestles Ok State every year. It wasn't some last second addition. OSU was coming to Iowa to wrestle, just a matter of when and where.

One team scheduled a team that was an actual threat, one didn't. That's undeniable.

PSU is better. Everyone knows it.

This is a moot point - Penn State doesn't have any actual threats.

 

[T J]

This is a moot point - Penn State doesn't have any actual threats.

Well played KidNittany.

 

[Onceafish]

fwiw, in the initial NWCA coaches poll Okie State was first followed by (2) PSU, (3) Michigan, (4) Iowa, (5) tOSU, (6) Va Tech and (7) Lehigh.

Kudos to Iowa for bringing in the top-ranked team for the dual at Kinnick.

But PSU had four of the other top 6 teams from the pre-season ranking on their schedule this year. (Okie St could be the fifth if things break right this weekend.) At the other end of the spectrum, the worst team on Penn State's OOC schedule by a comfortable distance was Lock Haven. Lock Haven would be favored against four of the seven teams on Iowa' OOC schedule. [Tom, your Iowa list is missing South Dakota State.]

Let's throw away the claims that CP is biased or that Penn State fans just need to hear that their team is better than Iowa to make the hurt feelings go away. Those are red herrings.

Much respect, CP, but the fact is, the claim that "one team made a point to have a slightly tougher schedule, and the other team didn't" is silly.

 

[RoarLions1]

Love the passion guys!! In the end, it doesn't matter. These "moments" when most take sides are a hoot, but the prize awaits inside MSG in March.

 

[Tom McAndrew]

[Tom, your Iowa list is missing South Dakota State.]

Good catch. I had them on the list, but didn't realize I hadn't keyed them in. I corrected my post.

 

[Franklin_Restores_TheTradition]

fwiw, in the initial NWCA coaches poll Okie State was first followed by (2) PSU, (3) Michigan, (4) Iowa, (5) tOSU, (6) Va Tech and (7) Lehigh.

Kudos to Iowa for bringing in the top-ranked team for the dual at Kinnick.

But PSU had four of the other top 6 teams from the pre-season ranking on their schedule this year. (Okie St could be the fifth if things break right this weekend.) At the other end of the spectrum, the worst team on Penn State's OOC schedule by a comfortable distance was Lock Haven. Lock Haven would be favored against four of the seven teams on Iowa' OOC schedule. [Tom, your Iowa list is missing South Dakota State.]

Let's throw away the claims that CP is biased or that Penn State fans just need to hear that their team is better than Iowa to make the hurt feelings go away. Those are red herrings.

Much respect, CP, but the fact is, the claim that "one team made a point to have a slightly tougher schedule, and the other team didn't" is silly.

In addition, the Pokes lost to NC State after losing to Iowa; they also came very close to losing to the unranked Goofs - so who cares if Okie State was ranked #1 in the inaugural NWCA Poll, the ranking was clearly wrong and Okie State was clearly not the best Dual Team in the country. Meanwhile, tO$U recorded both of its dual losses before pulling redshirts on a couple of its best wrestlers and going all in -- tO$U is clearly way under-ranked relative to the line-up they put on the mat vs PSU (ditto VaTech because a couple of their best wrestlers did wrestle against PSU but were hurt and only recently returned to their line-up).

Given their current line-ups, I'm not sure that tO$U isn't the 2nd best team in the nation right now. So Iowa beating Okie State, but not wrestling tO$U, Michigan, VaTech or Lehigh hardly suggests that Iowa had a harder dual schedule when PSU wrestled tO$U, Michigan, VaTech and Lehigh.

 

[El-Jefe]

This is a moot point - Penn State doesn't have any actual threats.

 

[Allensville Amos]

New to the scene FT?

Iowa wrestles Ok State every year. It wasn't some last second addition. OSU was coming to Iowa to wrestle, just a matter of when and where.

One team scheduled a team that was an actual threat, one didn't. That's undeniable.

PSU is better. Everyone knows it.

C'mon CP, how can you say, "Iowa wrestles Ok state every year", then say, "one team scheduled a team that was an actual threat, one didn't." When scheduling, a team doesn't know how good the opposition will be from year to year, or for that matter within a given year. Before the season, or even now who is to say OK state was going to be, or is better than Va Tech or Lehigh?

Ok state started Harding at 33, Marstellar at 57, J Rodgers at 84, and moved Boyd to 97 in the dual with Iowa. This was clearly not their best team nor the one that has earned them their current ranking. Had Brock (this was before he was injured) been at 33, JoJo at 57, Boyd at 84 and Andrew Marsden at 97, a different outcome could certainly have been possible, even likely. Brooks TF over Rodgers would have been highly unlikely against Boyd who beat Brooks in their most recent meeting. Since the final score was 18-16 Iowa, that match alone could have been the difference.

Teams don't have a crystal ball when making their schedules. Through no fault of their own, Iowa's schedule is not as tough OVERALL as PSU's and the win over OK state doesn't change that.

 

[NoVa Lion]

This is a moot point - Penn State doesn't have any actual threats.

Plus, it's just not tru

Love the passion guys!! In the end, it doesn't matter. These "moments" when most take sides are a hoot, but the prize awaits inside MSG in March.

I agree, but CP coming on here to defend his "opinion" with nothing to back it up except his statement that one team scheduled a "threat" and the other didn't, which is just something he made up lowers my opinion of him as an independent journalist. If he had left it alone I knew the whole thing was just Flo trying to generate traffic and I don't really care about that at all. However, defending his position, when he knows it is BS, is well, BS. JMHO.

 

[James P. Whitters III]

C'mon CP, how can you say, "Iowa wrestles Ok state every year", then say, "one team scheduled a team that was an actual threat, one didn't." When scheduling, a team doesn't know how good the opposition will be from year to year, or for that matter within a given year. Before the season, or even now who is to say OK state was going to be, or is better than Va Tech or Lehigh?

Ok state started Harding at 33, Marstellar at 57, J Rodgers at 84, and moved Boyd to 97 in the dual with Iowa. This was clearly not their best team nor the one that has earned them their current ranking. Had Brock (this was before he was injured) been at 33, JoJo at 57, Boyd at 84 and Andrew Marsden at 97, a different outcome could certainly have been possible, even likely. Brooks TF over Rodgers would have been highly unlikely against Boyd who beat Brooks in their most recent meeting. Since the final score was 18-16 Iowa, that match alone could have been the difference.

Teams don't have a crystal ball when making their schedules. Through no fault of their own, Iowa's schedule is not as tough OVERALL as PSU's and the win over OK state doesn't change that.

Great and informative post. The only exception I would make reference to is the fact that Iowa could have taken control of the schedule. The conference did what the conference did, but the rest of the schedule was a calculated choice. Montana hardware was not thrust upon Iowa by the BIG. PSU clearly wrestled a much tougher schedule.

 

[Franklin_Restores_TheTradition]

In addition, the Pokes lost to NC State after losing to Iowa; they also came very close to losing to the unranked Goofs - so who cares if Okie State was ranked #1 in the inaugural NWCA Poll, the ranking was clearly wrong and Okie State was clearly not the best Dual Team in the country. Meanwhile, tO$U recorded both of its dual losses before pulling redshirts on a couple of its best wrestlers and going all in -- tO$U is clearly way under-ranked relative to the line-up they put on the mat vs PSU (ditto VaTech because a couple of their best wrestlers did wrestle against PSU but were hurt and only recently returned to their line-up).

Given their current line-ups, I'm not sure that tO$U isn't the 2nd best team in the nation right now. So Iowa beating Okie State, but not wrestling tO$U, Michigan, VaTech or Lehigh hardly suggests that Iowa had a harder dual schedule when PSU wrestled tO$U, Michigan, VaTech and Lehigh.

One other thing, wasn't PSU ranked #1 in the majority of the other recognized national non-NWCA Dual Polls? Okie State was not a consensus #1 and on a weighted average basis I believe PSU has been the #1 ranked team all season and is clearly the consensus #1 ranked Dual Team which is when this event is going to take place - there is absolutely no logical claim that Iowa should be the #1 ranked Dual Team.

 

[seeyajohn]

One other thing, wasn't PSU ranked #1 in the majority of the other recognized national non-NWCA Dual Polls? Okie State was not a consensus #1 and on a weighted average basis I believe PSU has been the #1 ranked team all season and is clearly the consensus #1 ranked Dual Team which is when this event is going to take place - there is absolutely no logical claim that Iowa should be the #1 ranked Dual Team.

To be fair, CP readily acknowledged that Penn State is the top dual team.

My complaint is that neither he nor Smalls will seldom if ever admit that they might have been wrong. They will aggressively defend any position that they have taken even in the face of contrary evidence.

Still they are both sincere fans of the sport and do a nice podcast.

 

[smalls103]

if you can point out a time i was wrong, i'll happily admit it

 

[Chickenman Testa]

I was being nice. I figured there would be a concussion protocol at the perfect time?

I'm not sure that coaching to the concussion protocol was as refined early in the season as it was oh, say about February 5. With a few more months under his belt, Smith might have pulled a similar gambit with Chance - give him 40 minutes and an IV and send him back out.

 

[Chickenman Testa]

if you can point out a time i was wrong, i'll happily admit it

When you said Suriano and Hall would choose Penn State.

Oh wait

 

[lionlover]

"C'mon CP, how can you say, "Iowa wrestles Ok state every year", then say, "one team scheduled a team that was an actual threat, one didn't."
_____________________________________________

Are you new to the scene? LOL!

 

[jschrantz]

When you said Suriano and Hall would choose Penn State.

Oh wait

And Smalls has Spencer leaning Psu, I like that considering the track record

 

[Chickenman Testa]

And Smalls has Spencer leaning Psu, I like that considering the track record

East Coast bias! He doesn't know squat

 

[CholleyVandine]

if you can point out a time i was wrong, i'll happily admit it

Remember that time you foolishly picked Nolf to beat Martinez?