Oddly enough, Illinois might be favored over Minnesota in a dual

[Conquistadors]

I realize I might take flack for this, but...

Minnesota and Michigan, the two unbeaten Big Ten teams meet next week. Looking at the match-ups (I don’t feel like typing names—see the rankings page on bigeleven.net http://www.bigelevenwrestling.net/Rankings/rankingshome.htm (http://www.bigelevenwrestling.net/Rankings/rankingshome.htm) ), it looks as though Minnesota is favored in 7 matches (4 of those “slight” favorites) and Michigan in 3 matches (2 of those “slight” favorites). See Table I below for who is favored at which weights. Thus Minnesota appears to be headed for a fairly comfortable victory.

The Gophers and Illini do not meet in a dual this year. Given that Michigan squeaked by Illinois ten days ago, and that Minnesota is clearly favored in their dual with Michigan, it stands to reason that Minnesota would be clearly favored in a dual with Illinois. Oddly enough, that may not be the case. Below in Table II is listed who I think would be favored in each match. It appears that Illinois would be favored in 6 matches (4 of those “slight” favorites) and Minnesota would be favored in 4 matches (only 1 of those a “slight” favorite). From this it appears that Illinois would be a slight favorite in the dual. Even if you make Rivera a favorite over Pero or even with Pero, the dual looks to be much closer than the Minnesota-Michigan dual. Sometimes it is just about match-ups.

Table I.
125 MN
133 MN (slight)
141 MI
149 MN (slight)
157 MN
165 MI (slight)
174 MN (close)
184 MN
197 MI (slight)
285 MN (slight)

Table II.
125 IL
133 MN
141 IL (slight)
149 MN
157 IL (slight)
165 MN (slight)
174 IL (slight)
184 IL (slight)
197 IL
285 MN

[illinifanMHS]

i agree we match up real well with minn. my dad and i were discussing this same thing on our way to the iowa duel

[Achilles]

Your forgetting bonus points though

125 Ill dec
133 MN major
141 Ill dec
149 MN pin (he just majored a NCAA champ, i think troy isn't in his league)
157 Ill dec (could be a MN win)
165 Ill dec (again could be a MN win)
174 Ill dec
184 Ill dec (will be a close one though)
197 ILL major
285 MN pin


22-16, but alot could happen i can see poeta loosing on a bad day, Kish is a toss up although i think Friedl is a bad matchup for him, Pero could loose easily, but i would overall say that Ill matches up with MN much better than OSU does.

[Conquistadors]

Your [sic] forgetting bonus points though

I've been known to forget lots of things, but No, I'm not forgetting bonus points. I'm just not over-anlyzing a dual (young Mr. IllinifanMHS, it certainly is NOT a "duel") that will not take place. I thought that suggesting that some guys were "favored" and others "slightly favored" was as precise as I was about to go.

Mostly, I found it interesting that Illinois seemingly matches up better with Minnesota than does Michigan, given that Michigan and Illinois are pretty darn close in terms of talent.

With that said, I am READY to head to the Big Tens. I have my tickets, a cheap and convenient hotel room, and I'm set! Man I'm glad I don't have to make weight:eek: . Speaking of which, it is dinner time:) .

[Achilles]

Where is the MN dual this year, and its on friday right?