Will The Iowa Hawkeyes Under Tom Brands’ Leadership Maintain Their Stronghold Over The Michigan Wolverines?

Since last postseason, the Iowa Hawkeyes wrestling team have managed to somehow deal with the graduation of Spencer Lee and Jacob Warner, a study about the state’s controversial sports-gambling investigation, and wild gestures that led the team’s course to alter this season. Consequently, the team has been overcoming every possible obstacle thrown in its way.

Despite facing all the possible challenges, Iowa Hawkeyes is now preparing to lock horns with the No.12 ranking team Michigan Wolverines in the first match of the 2024 wrestling season. The last time Iowa Hawkeyes were defeated by the lower-ranking opponent, Michigan was back in 1924 in the all-time series. Will the Hawkeyes be able to maintain their record?

Tom Brands is a paragon of excellence for the wrestling team

Since 1924, Michigan Wolverines has been among the arch-rivals of Iowa Hawkeyes; the major reason behind this long-term rivalry was a head-to-head competition against the No. 2 ranking team, Iowa Hawkeyes. However, something unexpected happened when Tom Brands joined the team back in the spring of 2007. 

Prior to the coaching excellence provided by Tom Brands, Iowa Hawkeyes were anticipated for their showdowns against Michigan Wolverines as the team had a record of 23 wins, 25 losses, and one draw against the worthy opponent. However, after Tom Brands took over the position of head coach at Iowa Hawkeyes, he immediately encouraged the team to take over head-to-head records. 

Eventually, Tom’s joining turned out to be beneficial for Iowa Hawkeyes as they were able to secure a record of 11 wins and one loss in the last 11 meetings in the series, including the last 2023 win in Iowa City by 33-8. Besides this, Iowa has also been 15-13 in Ann Arbor, with the last four wins at Michigan. 

As of 2024, Iowa Hawkeyes have taken over in the head-to-head records and now feature 34 wins, 26 losses, and one draw against Michigan Wolverines. According to the updated ranks released by the NCAA Coaches Poll earlier this year, Iowa Hawkeyes are placed at the 3rd position, whereas Michigan ranks below at 11. Now, the Hawkeyes will be travelling to compete against the opponent in the upcoming matchup this Friday. 

Iowa Hawkeyes vs. Michigan Wolverines has the wrestling world by its reins 

While Michigan Wolverines are looking forward to taking redemption, Iowa Hawkeyes is igniting to defend its current stats at the upcoming duals. Interestingly, the Hawkeyes have secured 10-0 this season after knocking off top-10 ranking opponents throughout the way, which makes it consequently harder for Michigan State to overcome the intense pressure in the wrestling arena. 

Read More: Can Penn State Wrestling Shatter a Major Iowa Hawkeyes Record and Make Its 2023–24 Roster the All-Time Greatest?

However, Michigan has left no stone unturned to make the upcoming match a count for themselves. On Friday, Wolverines will be coming up with all hopes on its team’s roaster. Interestingly, the team will be featuring Shane Griffith at 174 pounds with 7-0, Austin Gomez at 149 pounds with 4-0, and Dylan Ragusin at 133 pounds with 5-0 dual records on the season. 

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