Iowa Wrestling Looks to Rebound Against Michigan State in East Lansing
No. 8 Iowa wrestling is back on the road, and this time the Hawkeyes are headed to East Lansing for a Big Ten showdown with Michigan State at Jenison Field House.
After a tough stretch that’s seen them drop three of their last four duals, including a 24-9 loss to No. 2 Ohio State, the Hawkeyes are in need of a bounce-back performance-and the Spartans might just be the right opponent at the right time.
Let’s break it down.
Hawkeyes Searching for a Spark
Iowa came into its matchup against Ohio State with something to prove. They even held a slim 9-7 lead at the break.
But the second half told a different story. The Buckeyes came out firing and shut the door, holding Iowa scoreless the rest of the way.
That loss followed a defeat to Penn State, and now the Hawkeyes are sitting at 9-5 overall and 2-3 in the Big Ten-territory they’re not used to navigating.
The good news? There’s still plenty of firepower in the lineup, and they’ve got a chance to right the ship against a Michigan State squad that has struggled to find consistency this season.
Michigan State: A Team Trying to Climb Back
The Spartans come into this one at 4-6 overall and 1-4 in the conference. They recently snapped a five-dual losing streak with a narrow 22-20 win over Northwestern, but they’ll need a near-perfect performance to keep pace with an Iowa team that, despite recent setbacks, still boasts one of the deepest lineups in the country.
History Favors the Hawkeyes
If past meetings are any indication, Iowa has the upper hand. The Hawkeyes lead the all-time series 13-2 and have won the last 10 straight against Michigan State.
The last time the Spartans came out on top? You’d have to go all the way back to February 5, 2005.
Iowa is also 5-2 all-time when wrestling in East Lansing.
How to Watch
Sunday’s dual will stream exclusively on BTN+, with a noon CT start time. A subscription is required, with monthly and annual options available for fans looking to tune in.
Projected Lineups
Here’s a look at the probable matchups heading into Sunday’s dual:
Iowa Hawkeyes Probables
- 125: No.
6 Dean Peterson (Sr.) or Joey Cruz (Jr.)
- 133: No.
8 Draka Ayala (Sr.)
- 141: Kale Peterson (So.)
- 149: No. 13 Ryder Block (So.) or Kael Voinovich (R-Fr.)
- 157: No. 16 Jordan Williams (Jr.) or Victor Voinovich III (Sr.)
- 165: No. 3 Michael Caliendo (Sr.)
- 174: No. 3 Patrick Kennedy (5th)
- 184: Gabe Arnold (So.)
- 197: Brody Sampson (R-Fr.)
- HWT: No. 9 Ben Kueter (So.)
Rankings via FloWrestling/InterMat
Even with some uncertainty at a few weights, Iowa’s lineup is packed with top-20 talent, including three top-three wrestlers in Caliendo, Kennedy, and Kueter. That trio alone gives the Hawkeyes a strong foundation heading into any dual.
Michigan State Spartans Probables
- 125: Nick Corday (R-Jr.)
- 133: No. 32 Caleb Weiand (R-So.) or Andy Hampton (R-Sr.)
- 141: Sean Larkin (R-Fr.) or Jaden Crumpler (R-Fr.)
- 149: Clayton Jones (R-So.)
- 157: No. 33 Darius Marines (R-Fr.)
- 165: DJ Shannon (Gr.) or Jack Conley (R-So.)
- 174: Connor O'Neill (Gr.) or Owen Segorski (Fr.)
- 184: Ryan Boucher (R-Sr.)
- 197: No.
23 Kael Wisler (R-Jr.)
- HWT: No.
30 Josh Terrill (R-Jr.)
The Spartans bring a young and developing roster into this matchup, with a few ranked wrestlers looking to make a statement. Wisler at 197 and Terrill at heavyweight are two to watch for Michigan State, but they’ll be tested by Iowa’s depth and experience.
What to Watch For
- **Can Iowa finish strong? ** The Hawkeyes have struggled in the second half of duals lately.
If they want to get back on track, they’ll need a full 10-match performance.
- Lineup flexibility: Several weights are still up in the air for Iowa, and it’ll be interesting to see which wrestlers get the nod.
The depth is there-it’s just a matter of who steps up.
- Momentum shift: A convincing win here could be the jolt Iowa needs heading into the final stretch of the regular season.
With the Big Ten Championships on the horizon, every match matters.
It’s a critical moment for Iowa wrestling. Sunday’s dual isn’t just about the win column-it’s about regaining rhythm, confidence, and control of the season’s trajectory.
Michigan State may be the underdog, but in the Big Ten, no dual is ever a gimme. Expect intensity, grit, and a Hawkeyes squad looking to remind everyone why they’re still a force to be reckoned with.