Big Ten Rankings...

[The LOCK]

What are everyones pre-season Rankings for the Big Ten?

[Conquistadors]

I posted the following predictions a few weeks ago in a thread on Big Ten predictions on the Forum on Bigeleven.net. Take a look there for other predictions plus a good discussion. Also, that web site, which by the way is superb, has Rankings. I recommend you check it out: http://www.bigelevenwrestling.net/



September 23, 2005 [thus, a bit out of date]

Here are my guesses at ranking the Big Ten before the season starts. I’ve used the best info that I have available (or can remember) in terms of starters and who’s at what weight, and that info plus success from previous seasons (plus my personal experiences in watching some of these guys) to determine ranking. For the most part, I have not ranked newly starting freshman very high—Div I wrestling and the Big Ten season has a way of humbling many of these guys. Let the games begin!

Returning AAs in Bold

125
1. Joe Dubuque, IN, Sr (2xAA #1, #8 )
2. Nick Simmons, MSU, Jr (2x AA #4, #7)
3. John Velez, NW, Sr (Round of 16)
4. Gabe Flores, IL, So
5. Brandon Tucker, PUR, So (Big Ten #8 )
6. Collin Cudd, WI, Jr (Big Ten #7)
7. Andrew Domingues, MN, Sr
8. Charlie Falck, IA, So
NR Nathan Costello, OSU, Sr (or Eric Wanner, So or Jermaine Jones, Jr)
NR Jim Shutich, MI, So
NR Tim Haas, PSU, So

133
1. Chris Fleeger, PUR, Sr (2x AA #2, #3) [Second Semester… maybe] 2. Tom Clum, WI, Sr (AA #3)
3. Mack Reiter, MN, So (AA #4)
4. Kyle Ott, IL, Sr (2x AA #2, #2)
5. Mario Galanakis, IA, Sr (NCAA Round of 16)
6. Mark Moos, MI, Jr (Big Ten #4)
7. Jake Strayer, PSU, Fr [or Bryan Heller, PSU, So (Big Ten #7)]
8. Reece Humphrey, OSU, Fr
NR Ryan Froese, MSU, So (Big Ten #8 )
NR IN [Andrae Hernandez, So]
NR Dan Quintella, NW, Jr
{NR Sean Schmaltz, PUR, Jr [First Semester]}

141
1. Josh Churella, MI, So (AA #8 )
2. Andy Simmons, MSU, Jr (AA #6)
3. Cassio Pero, IL, Jr (AA #7)
4. Ryan Lang, NW, So (NCAA Round of 12)
5. DeWitt Driscoll, PSU, Sr (Big Ten #8 )
6. Alex Tsirtsis, IA, So (Big Ten #5)
7. TJ Enright, OSU, So (Big Ten #6)
8. Jordan Crass, WI, Fr (or Zach Tanelli, Fr)
NR Charles Lloyd, MN, Jr (or Tyler Safratowich, Fr)
NR Brian Dyer, IN, So
NR Jason Cook, Jr, PUR (or Jake Patacsil, RS Fr)

149
1. Eric Tannenbaum, MI, So (AA #4)
2. Ty Eustice, IA, Sr (AA #5)
3. James Woodall, PSU, Sr
4. Darren McKnight, MSU, Sr (Big Ten #4)
5. Doug Withstandley, PUR, Sr (Big Ten #7)
6. Troy Tirapelle, IL, Fr
7. Dustin Schlatter, MN, Fr
8. Ed Gutnik, WI, Sr (or Jordon Crass, RS Fr)
9. Isaac Knable, IN, So (Big Ten #6)
NR Jeff Jaggers, OSU, So, (Steve Wolery, Sr)
NR Jim Kim, NW, Jr

157
1. Alex Tirapelle, IL, Sr (NCAA Round of 12, 2x AA #4, #2)
2. Joe Johnston, IA, Sr (AA #2)
3. Brandon Becker, IN, So (AA #5)
4. CP Schlatter, MN, So (NCAA Round of 12)
5. Nathan Galloway, PSU, Jr (NCAA Round of 16)
6. Tyler Turner, WI, Jr (Big Ten #7)
7. Steve Luke, MI, Fr
NR. Jake Murphy, PUR, Fr [or Colton Salazar, PUR, So (Big Ten #6)—redshirt?]
NR Steve Sommer, OSU, So (or John Vogel, So)
NR Jim Friend, So NW
NR Tony Greathouse, Jr, MSU

165
1. Ryan Churella, MI, Sr (2x AA #3, #4)
2. Matt Nagel, MN, Sr (AA #6)
3. RJ Boudro, MSU, Sr (Big Ten #4)
4. Mike Poeta, IL, Fr
5. Jake Donar, WI, So (Big Ten #4) [or Seth Garvin, RS Fr]
6. Max Dean, IN, So (Big Ten #5)
7. Cole Pape, IA, Sr (NCAA Round of 16) [or Rick Loera, Fr]
8. John DeCeault, PUR, Jr (Big Ten #7)
NR Greg Hagel, NW, So
NR Charlie Clark, OSU, So (or Keegan Mueller, OSU, So)
NR Dave Erwin, PSU, Fr

174
1. Jake Herbert, NW, So (AA #3)
2. Mark Perry, IA, So (AA #2)
3. Brady Richardson, IN, Sr (Big Ten #3)
4. Kelly Flaherty, WI, Sr (NCAA Round of 16)
5. Nick Roy, MI, Jr (Big Ten #6)
6. Joe Williams, MSU, So
7. Gabriel Dretsch, MN, So (Big Ten #7)
8. Don Reynolds, IL, Jr (Big Ten #6)
9. James Yonoshunis, PSU, Jr (Big ten #8 )
NR Blake Mauer, OSU, RS Fr
NR Dan Bedoy, PUR, So (or Barry Jackson, Jr)

184.
1. Peter Friedl, IL, Sr (2x AA #4, #7)
2. Eric Bradley, PSU, Sr (AA #4)
3. Paul Bradley, IA, Sr (2x AA #4, #5)
4. Ben Wissel, PUR, Sr (AA #8 )
5. Roger Kish, MN, So (NCAA Round of 12)
6. Mike Tamillow, NW, So
7. Andy Rios, IN, Sr (Big Ten #8 )
NR Tyrel Todd, MI
NR Alex Picazo, OSU, So (or Nate Auguston, Sr)
NR Lee Kreamer, WI (NCAA Round of 16) [or Matt Macaig, So]
NR John Murphy, MSU, Fr

197.
1. Phil Davis, PSU, So (AA #7)
2. Ryan Flaherty, WI, Sr (AA #8 )
3. Matt Delguyd, NW, Sr (NCAA Round of 12)
4. Tyrone Byrd, IL, Sr (Big Ten #5)
5. Nathan Moore, PUR, Jr (Big Ten #6)
6. Willie Breyer, MI, Sr
7. Matt Koz, MN, So (Big Ten #7)
8. Adam Fellers, IA, Sr (Big Ten #8 )
NR Jeff Clemens, MSU, Sr
NR Josh Buuck, IN, Jr
NR ? OSU

Heavyweight
1. Cole Konrad, MN, Jr (2x AA #2, #4)
2. Greg Wagner, MI, Sr (2x AA #4, #6)
3. Dustin Fox, NW, So (NCAA Round of 12, Big Ten #4)
4. Matt Fields, IA, So (NCAA Round of 12, Big Ten #5)
5. Kirk Nail, OSU, So (Big Ten #8 )
6. Dave Herman, IN, So
7. Kyle Massey, WI, RS Fr
8. Joel Edwards, PSU, Sr (Big Ten #7)
NR Max Lossen, MSU, Sr
NR Jake O’Brien, PUR, So
NR John Wise, IL, RS Fr

Using these pre-season rankings, and assigning points for 1st through 8th (16,12,10,9, 7,6,4,3), a pre-season “tournament” team ranking can be concocted.

Rank, Team, Points (#NCAA qualifiers—not counting two wild cards)

1. Illinois 87 (8 )
2. Michigan 83 (8 )
3. Iowa 78 (8 )
4. Minnesota 70 (9)
5. Wisconsin 62 (7)
6. Northwestern 61 (6)
7. Penn State 59 (6)
8. Indiana 52 (6)
9. Michigan State 49 (5)
10. Purdue 49 (5)
11. Ohio State 14 (2)