The wrestling world is in full meltdown mode. Iowa Hawkeyes fans? They’ve already thrown in the towel. The hype train that had them dreaming of a championship season? It’s now screeching to a halt. With just hours left before their monumental clash with No. 1 Penn State at the Bryce Jordan Center this Friday, January 31st, 2025, many Hawkeye fans are already calling it quits. No. 2 Iowa will face off against the Nittany Lions live on Big Ten Network at 7:00 PM ET, but you wouldn’t know it by the way fans are reacting. They’re convinced the season is over before it even really started.

Iowa was supposed to be a contender, right? Like, stacked with top-tier talent, ready to take on anyone. But now, with just hours before the biggest dual meet of the season, the Hawkeyes are being written off. There’s some serious doubt creeping in about whether they can even compete with the Nittany Lions, let alone take the crown. And this isn’t just from random fans on X—big names are backing up these concerns, too.

It’s wild how Penn State has been on a whole different level this season. As Iowa fans look at the upcoming dual, it’s like they’re already predicting a blowout. Some fans even think Iowa’s going to get blown out by many points, and honestly? It’s difficult to imagine Iowa Hawkeyes having any chance against a squad like Penn State and so many rated opponents. IAwrestke posted on X today, “#Hawkeyes in the updated Intermat rankings 🐤#IAwrestle.”

But wait—there’s more. The trash talk is heating up too, and not just in the usual wrestling sense. Iowa’s own Gabe Arnold started throwing some serious shade toward Penn State before the dual. Said, “Your head is mine. Book it,”
Of course, all eyes were on four-time NCAA champ Carter Starocci to fire back, and he definitely didn’t disappoint. His response? “He’s their starter?” Brutally Cold. Unbothered. He didn’t even take Arnold seriously.

Predictions might be right; no Iowa Hawkeyes, go Nittany Lions!

Fans are going wild. One fan was straight-up calling out the Hawkeyes, saying, “It’s insane this team isn’t even close to winning a title this year. Absolutely STACKED and can’t touch PSU.” And honestly? There’s some truth to that. Iowa’s got some heavy hitters, but looking at this dual, it’s hard to deny that Penn State has separated itself from everyone else. From #1 Mitchell Mesenbrink to #1 Carter Starocci, the Nittany Lions are just on another level.

Another fan chimed in with, “I think this team is going to lose to Oklahoma State in the upcoming Iowa-Oklahoma State dual (commonly known as ‘Wrestling’s Transfer Bowl’).” Sounds harsh, right? But it’s actually a fair point. The way things are shaping up, it feels like the Iowa Hawkeyes ’s struggling to keep up with other top teams. The season has been rocky for them, and with tough matches coming up, including Oklahoma State, it’s going to be a hard road. Can they even hold their own?

A third fan said it best: “Wild how PSU has separated itself from the 2 and 3, and how the 2 and 3 have separated themselves from the rest?” And this isn’t just talk—Penn State has been dominating. With wrestlers like #2 Levi Haines and #2 Greg Kerkvliet, the gap between them and Iowa is just glaring. While Iowa’s difficulties have been quite obvious, the Lions’ play this season has been almost flawless. There are no indications that Penn State will slow down.

And here’s the kicker: one fan didn’t hold back, saying, “They’re going to get buried!!! Maybe they win two!!” Ouch. But honestly? It’s hard to argue when you look at the head-to-head matches. Carter Starocci vs. Gabe Arnold? Arnold’s trash talk was wild, but when it came time for Starocci to respond, he didn’t even acknowledge Arnold’s presence, saying, “I have to gameplan for the other guy. The other guy is a better wrestler.” It’s clear who’s on top in this rivalry, and it’s not Iowa.

When everything’s said and done, one fan predicts, “They will lose by 13+ points. It won’t be that competitive in total.” Well, it’s looking like this will be a Penn State win. They have a distinct advantage in momentum and the matches are stacked in their favor. The Iowa Hawkeyes might surprise everyone, but with all that has transpired before this dual, it’s unlikely that they will be able to defeat the Nittany Lions.