peanut

I meant to add Gable in the poll, and I thought I had. I let “Someone Else” cover Kerk because Gable is a generational talent. In a normal year Kerk would be thick in the Hodge hunt.

Assuming there is a single Hodge winner this year, who do you think wins it?

We have: 125 - Smith (8) vs. Lilledahl (11) 133 - Van Dee (15) vs. Davis (10) 141 - Hardy (4) vs. Bartlett (2) 149 - Lovett (4) vs. Van Ness (3) 157 - Taylor (4) vs. Kasak (2)

In a dual meet, bonus points could potentially determine the outcome.

Seems possible. Whether he pursues MMA or not, I could see him going to the world team trials and worlds (if he makes the team). Personally I think he's already world class.

Yes, I think the possibility of the SEC and Big Ten forming an alliance and leaving the NCAA is what gives them immense leverage, and I'm also guessing it ensures that no school (outside of ND, for now) would decline an invitation to join either conference, almost regardless of the cost.

I have zero insight into the likelihood of Steveson being beaten this year -- but it's not often that a former Olympic champ is competing in NCAA wrestling. Aside from John Smith, I'm not sure who else there's been.

Georgia Tech has great academics, and Miami just joined the AAU. As a pair, they would bring in two tv markets that are each bigger than the Raleigh-Durham tv market shared by Duke and UNC. But I agree that the Big Ten would absolutely consider Duke and UNC.

At this point, any school would do anything to join the SEC or Big Ten.

Something tells me that the Big Ten is not done expanding. Below are the strongest eight candidates, as I see it. Only three of the eight have wrestling teams: ND- 6th most valuable sports program, national brand Georgia Tech, 47th most valuable sports program, 7th strongest tv market Duke- 26th most valuable sports program, 22nd biggest tv market UNC- 40th most valuable sports program, 22nd biggest tv market Miami- 31st most valuable sports program, 18th biggest tv market Colorado, 55th most valuable sports program, 17th strongest tv market Utah, 56th most valuable sports program, 28th strongest tv market ASU, 68th most valuable sports program, 43rd strongest tv market ND will join any conference whenever it feels like doing so. I could see Georgia Tech and Miami joining the Big Ten as a pair. Two big tv markets, plus good football recruiting areas. And together, they would extend the Big Ten's reach into the southeast. I could also see Duke and UNC joining the Big Ten as a pair. Great academics and strong basketball programs in a decent-sized tv market. I think Colorado, Utah, and ASU are long shots, but they would at least fill in the huge geographical gap between the Big Ten's west coast teams and Nebraska.

What, in your opinion, does prolific mean?

He’s insanely good but I’d put him in the top 15 rather than the top 10. It’s just my opinion, though, and my opinion literally doesn’t matter. But he’s clearly super elite.

If forced to pick I’d give Haines the advantage by a hair but in reality it could go either way. Both athletes are extremely good.

My opinion: CStar Steveson Keck Haines KOT Mendez Henson Alirez MM SVN

Kasak got third last year. Seems like another AA finish would be expected.