Iowa vs. Iowa State predictions

The University of Iowa and Iowa State University square off in the 75th meeting of the sport's top team rivalry Sunday at 6 p.m. Hilton Coliseum in Ames. The top-ranked Hawkeyes (7-0) lead the series 56-16-2 and owns a four-meet win streak. Iowa, which has won a record 45 straight duals,  could also set a school record with its 32 straight road dual win with a victory over the second-ranked Cyclones (1-0).

ISU's Kevin Jackson is guiding the Cyclones for the first time as head coach.

Also, note that the probable lineups released by Iowa had Jordan Johnson listed alone at heavyweight. Johnson won the initial wrestle-off against Blake Rasing. Hawkeyes Coach Tom Brands confirmed that Rasing won a mid-week wrestle-off and will wrestle Sunday.

I will preface this by saying I hate predictions. They can only prove how much you really don't know, however, they do spark conversation. Have at it.

125 pounds - Matt McDonough (7-0) vs. Andrew Long (9-0). Both are red-shirt freshmen. A tossup match that should be close either way. If the dual starts at 125, winner could set tone for the meet. McDonough likely to win in a close one.

133 - Daniel Dennis (7-0) vs. Nick Fanthorpe (1-0). There is still a question whether ISU Coach Kevin Jackson will wrestle Fanthorpe or 141-pounder Nick Gallick. Dennis wins either way. It will be tight against Fanthorpe, but if he doesn't then bonus points are possible.

141 - Dan LeClere (7-0) vs. Nick Gallick (4-0)/Dalton Jensen (8-3). LeClere has a pair of decisions over Gallick, but that was two seasons ago. If Gallick wrestles, the Cyclones grab three points, and if he doesn't, it goes Iowa's way.

149 - Brent Metcalf (7-0) vs. Mitch Mueller (10-1). Mueller's lone loss has come to Luther's Jason Pyle at the UNO Open. That doesn't bode well for ISU keeping it close. Top-ranked Metcalf wins and grabs bonus points.

157 - Aaron Janssen (1-1)/Jake Kerr (4-2)/Matt Ballweg (0-1) vs. Nate Carr Jr. (4-1)/Andrew Sorenson (12-1). Who knows what matchup we'll get here. A very key weight class that could go either way. Kerr and Ballweg are a combined 3-0 against Sorenson. Anyone have a coin to flip?

165 - Ryan Morningstar (5-0) vs. Jon Reader (5-0). Morningstar has come out on top in three close decisions decided by a total of five points. Expect another close match without a lot of offense, going to Morningstar.

174 - Jay Borschel (7-0) vs. Duke Burk (6-0). Borschel is healthy and has been very impressive. Expect Borschel to win with a possibility of racking up extra team points for the Hawkeyes.

184 - Phil Keddy (6-0) vs. Jerome Ward (4-1)/Joe Curran (3-2). Keddy is a favorite here, but it won't like be the one-point win like last year. Expect something more decisive, but short of bonus points from Keddy.

197 - Chad Beatty (7-0) vs. Jake Varner (6-0). Varner has started strong, including a 5-3 win over Nebraska's Craig Brester at the NWCA All-Star Classic, which was a rematch of last year's national championship match. Varner wins, but the tough and scrappy Beatty keeps it close.

Hwt. - Blake Rasing (7-2) vs. David Zabriskie (5-0). A contrast in styles. Rasing is big and a more stereotypical heavyweight body. Zabriskie is smaller and quicker. Zabriskie wins but I think Rasing's size could be a factor.

Final score - Iowa 21-12.

Iowa Public Television will air the meet live, being called by Tim Johnson, Jim Gibbons and Dan Gable. To follow on the net go to

www.gazetteonline.com for a play-by-play live chat with myself.