In the wrestling world, things heat up in no time. The Penn State vs. Iowa dual is almost here, and people are straight-up buzzing. Both teams are fired up and hold a 9-0 record as of now, and we’re about to see who’s really built differently this Friday, January 31. The stakes are high, the energy’s even higher, and the match is set to go down at 7 p.m. ET in Bryce Jordan Center and to be streamed on Big Ten Network. But why are fans mad?

Well, the scene is that Bo Nickal has fueled them with a prediction. He posted something pretty bold on X that’s got the wrestling community lowkey shaken. Even though fans already believe that Penn State is going to nail it, the statement by Bo Nickal just seems overboard. So, Bo Nickal straight-up tweeted, “Give me your predictions for the Penn State vs Iowa wrestling match tomorrow. I’ve thought about it a lot and I have it PSU 60 Iowa 0. Lmk if you agree 😮‍💨👌🏻.” Talk about confidence!

The Penn State Nittany Lions are definitely stacked this season. With legends like Carter Starocci, Greg Kerkvliet, and Roman Bravo-Young, their roster is loaded. These guys are top-ranked for a reason and have been on fire all year, dominating opponents without breaking a sweat. And if we’re keeping it real, looking at the lineups, Penn State’s depth is insane.

They’ve got wrestlers who could win almost any matchup they’re put in. But still, let’s not get it twisted. Iowa’s squad isn’t just here for fun. They’ve got killers too, like Spencer Lee and Drake Ayala, who can pull off some serious upsets. That’s why Nickal’s bold 60-0 prediction has some people scratching their heads—will it really be that one-sided?

Now, looking at these teams head-to-head, Penn State definitely comes in with the advantage. Iowa has some heavy hitters who could pull off a few wins, but Penn State’s overall depth across every weight class might just be too much to handle, with head Coach Cael Sanderson, who guides them, it could be pretty tricky. Could Nickal be onto something with that prediction, or is it a little too spicy? We’ll see today. Meanwhile, let’s see what the fans have to say.

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“Don’t think it’s going to be that close”: Fans react

Fans drip down their opinions on Bo’s post, one said, “It won’t be close. That’s for darn sure. Penn State’s team is just overflowing with raw talent and gamers.” Okay, this one hits hard. If you look at Penn State’s lineup, you can see why people are saying this. They’ve got top-tier athletes across all weight classes. Carter Starocci is a beast at 184, and Greg Kerkvliet at heavyweight is a serious threat. 

The Nittany Lions’ ability to dominate in multiple weight classes is insane, and their depth is what’s setting them apart this year. Iowa might get a couple of wins, but Penn State’s talent just might be too deep for the Hawks to overcome. That said, there are still some matchups where Iowa could make noise. Spencer Lee, at 125 pounds, is a star. You can’t count him out. But when it comes to overall talent, Penn State still has the edge.

Another fan goes like, “I don’t think it’s going to be that close.” Penn State’s roster is simply stacked with wrestlers who can win in nearly every matchup. Take Levi Haines at 174 pounds—the dude’s been on fire this season. And don’t forget Mitchell Mesenbrink at 165, who’s been dominating his opponents. When you look at those kinds of matchups, it’s hard to see how Iowa can hang. Sure, Lee and Ayala might take a win or two, but Penn State’s depth likely takes over in the long run.

Someone also pitched in with, “One coach will stomp his tiny feet in rage.” A nod to Iowa’s fiery coaching style here. Tom and Terry Brands, Iowa’s coaches, are famous for their intense passion and energy on the sidelines. They don’t hold back. When things go south, you’ll see them visibly frustrated, trying to rally their squad. Penn State’s calm, methodical approach under Cael Sanderson is the opposite of that. Sanderson’s ability to keep his team focused and execute under pressure is one of the reasons why the Nittany Lions are so dominant. While the Brands’ emotional style might spark some energy, it won’t be enough to overcome Penn State’s calm, collected game plan.

One fan hitting the exact note, “Bo. You are one that well knows how the Penn State coaches get the team ready for matches like this. Like you said and I heard Coach Cael also say ‘it’s what we do’. I love your score prediction. I think there will be a few Hawks win (2) and a few other close matches.” It balances things pointing out that Iowa does have a few chances to score wins. And while Penn State’s depth makes them favorites, wrestlers like Spencer Lee and Drake Ayala can absolutely put on a show. 

“My prediction is the Brands will look super mad a lot during the match….and the Lions train keeps ROLLING.” Again, Iowa’s fiery coaching style is called out here. But the reality is that Penn State’s ability to stay focused and execute its game plan might lead to a lot of frustration for Iowa. With a coach like Cael Sanderson at the helm, Penn State has the discipline and consistency to weather any storm. The Brands might get frustrated, but the Nittany Lions will likely stay in control.