Jagger's Friday Mailbag - 12/22/2023

Good morning, folks. We are nearly two months into the college season and 125 is exactly the mess I said it would be. But that’s a problem for the Ranker’s Guild and not me. Plenty of questions from some heavy hitters in the wrestling industry today and time is of the essence so let’s jump right into it so you can get ready for Festivus tomorrow and air some grievances. 

Thoughts on the Ivy League going their own way as of 2024-25? Seton Hall Pirate 

It’s certainly interesting, but I hope it doesn’t have a negative impact on the EIWA with losing some marquee teams. I’ve always liked the idea of this wrestling-only conference that’s still going strong for well over 100 years. Perhaps we can fill the gaps with whatever is left of the PAC-12 and just absorb them into it. With the invention of the airplane by the Wright Brothers, the world has become a much smaller place. I’m sure the boys at Hofstra wouldn’t mind leaving Long Island for a California getaway in late January. I also hope it can open the doors for a Yale or a Seton Hall to bring back a wrestling program and join any of these conferences. Wishful thinking, I know. The best thing to do is break off some teams from the MAC and even it out a bit. 

Will InterMat hire another person to cover the new Ivy League tournament or just add it to Austin Sommer’s workload while increasing his pay? Kevin McGuigan 

Only if he uses the name Dallas WInter and ties a sweater around his neck. If you’re going to be the Ivy League guy then BE the Ivy League guy. Drive a BMW. Play croquet every Sunday. Join a yacht club. Live the gimmick. 

What criteria should be used in the best ranking systems? Here are ideas for things to be considered:

Hair 

Great hang 

Shoe size 

How many pull-ups they can do 

Can they dunk? 

Are their school’s singlets and warmups cool? 

Favorite movie 

Kevin Claunch 

You just made Sonny Sasso number one and he’s still in redshirt. I would also very much like to know how many wrestlers can actually dunk. I bet Trent Hidlay tries every single day and just doesn’t accept that he’s a wide-bodied defensive specialist built to pull down rebounds in the paint. 

For the love of god, what do we have to do to make duals matter all year? I think Goody and I have the best ideas. Why don't others see it? Nick Kosko 

Is your idea to put pork roll and Taylor Ham on the line for every dual? But seriously, I don’t have the answer. Richard Immel may have the answer with the ranking series angle he proposed last night on X (formerly known as Twitter) but I doubt it will ever get past the discussion stage. If this is about the lack of headline matches in duals, or what some people call ducking, I’m afraid you’re not going to change that with any type of new system or team championship. I try to stay away from the ducking term, because I’m just an average fan and I’m not privy to what’s going on behind the scenes. I get that guys are banged up and it is the coaches’ job to protect their guys at all costs. Mike Grey is not concerned that you paid ten bucks and didn't get to see a matchup between two star freshmen. Should he care? Maybe. Will he take heat from fans? Certainly. Will his job status be in jeopardy over it? Not a chance. It’s just the nature of the beast now and I don’t see the NCAA drastically changing the system so David Carr can get his win back. 

What is Jagger hoping to wake up Christmas morning to find under his tree? Dan Seifring 

I was going to say Japanese ace Yoshinobu Yamamoto in a Mets jersey, but before I could even spell-check his name the Dodgers (yes, those Dodgers) went and signed him along with every other player I coveted. That team is reaching Penn State levels of “This guy, too? Come on!” If only they knew how to win titles like Cael and the crew. 

Favorite Coquito flavor. Aaron Bartlett 

Coconut? Are there any other flavors? 

What are your thoughts on wrestlers counting byes as wins? Mike C. 

Is that really a thing? That can’t be true. You don’t even get your hand raised! I don’t even know what else to say except I’m going back to my high school hall of records and adding two more wins to my total. I realize we live in a world of fake overfiltered selfies, but I draw the line at fake wins. Get lost with that nonsense.

On that note, I’m out of things to say. I wish you all a wonderful Friday as we head into the holiday weekend and then the end of the year. I started watching college wrestling seriously in 2017 and never imagined I’d be writing to you about coquito and pork rolls at the end of 2023. America truly is the land of opportunity.