Thoughts in advance of the '26 OSU match

Dogwelder

All-Conference
Aug 1, 2013
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How do you "shatter" the attendance record? They have had multiple sellouts there over the years and the attendance has been consistent. It is not like they can add a few thousand seats.
They should have a “free for expectant mothers” promotion. Then they can announce one number for the fire department, and another, life-at-conception number for the record!

That’s one way. Another way is to declare “tying equals shattering.” Metaphors are arbitrary anyhow. I’m sure there is one type of glass camel somewhere that would shatter when the last straw lands on its back. 😀
 

HikeNatParks

Senior
May 12, 2023
172
817
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Post-dual questions for @Kozak:
If Marcus beats Davino, isn’t it reasonable—some might say obvious—to rank Blaze #1, defeathering Byrd? With no head-to-head, wouldn’t Marcus’ record against Flo’s ranked wrestlers be demonstrably better? And if that helps set the B1G table for a 2/3 match of Byrd/Davino for a shot at Marcus, isn’t that the fairer outcome every ranking service strives for?
With a hiker’s notorious courtesy, I’m asking days in advance to allow Flo adequate time to find a universe where Blaze over Ben doesn’t translate to #1. ;)
 
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shotofespresso

Sophomore
Nov 7, 2021
55
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Hard to jump the defending champ without beating him or him taking a loss to someone else
With most rankings I would agree with you but Flo has stated over and over they rank solely based on what you have accomplished in the current year. They would consider past accomplishments if they felt there was a tie in the current year’s criteria…

I really don’t care either way as rankings are useless unless they are used for seeding and then only the final rankings prior to said seeding would matter..
 

PUR158

All-Conference
Feb 11, 2025
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I am really hoping Bouzakis wrestles so I don't have to read for 3 more weeks about how if Luke can somehow miraculously avoid getting pinned he could maybe win this match.
I don't think we see either Bouzakis or Cannon. It is a built in excuse that Ryan will try to use to keep them motivated and that they have a chance come March.
 
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Psalm 1 guy

All-Conference
Nov 3, 2019
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If anyone knows the Man of Steel, invite him and his best +1 gal. It's not like he will need a ticket to get in. This would give us the unofficial attendance record of 16,000. And what is the fire department going to do about it? Nothing! That's right, 'Merica baby!

 

Ruby Tues

Junior
Oct 29, 2021
86
251
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It’s fine if that’s how you feel. But the military stands at attention. Which is the way I was taught to respect. The pledge of allegiance from grade school and the national anthem are different things. Just a public service announcement, as many people seem to have forgotten
Ok two things I noticed, movement during the national anthem. You are correct everything needs to come to a stand still while it’s being played. But if they’re not being told to hold fast (by parents/coaches) these kids won’t know to do that. I glad you were taught that and I’m sure you have passed it down.
 

Corby2

All-American
Jul 14, 2025
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With most rankings I would agree with you but Flo has stated over and over they rank solely based on what you have accomplished in the current year. They would consider past accomplishments if they felt there was a tie in the current year’s criteria…

I really don’t care either way as rankings are useless unless they are used for seeding and then only the final rankings prior to said seeding would matter..
The order to start the year is based off of the previous year. Once the current season has enough data changes happen. #1s don't move without taking a loss. I believe Kozak has explained that here before
 
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SWBLion

Sophomore
Nov 14, 2016
72
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We’ll be getting there around 2 on Friday. Where’s the best place to grab a beer and bite to eat downtown? We have 3 kids with us
 

TheRedandtheBlue

Redshirt
Jun 19, 2025
8
35
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Hard to jump the defending champ without beating him or him taking a loss to someone else
While I would usually be inclined to agree with you, let’s consider the case of Lucas Byrd for a moment. Byrd has wrestled an absolute cupcake schedule thus far (one top-10 opponent, Ayala, nearly 3 months ago), and he hasn’t had a bonus point victory since mid-November. In fact, he has a putrid overall bonus rate of 20% (far less than Connor Pierce, Joe Sealey, Lucas Cochran, and Nate Desmond) and was almost beaten by both Blake Boorman and Dylan Shawver over the few last few weeks. He did (narrowly) beat Dillon Campbell and Ayala in November, but his schedule has been Creampuff City since then.

Anyone who has actually watched him wrestle this season and watched Davino and Blaze wrestle knows beyond a shadow of a doubt, that he is, at best, the 3rd best 133 in the B10. Barring a loss to Van Dee or Sean Spidle this weekend, I’d expect him to eke out a semi-final against Ayala in the B10 Tourney as the 1 seed. But there will be a reckoning in the B10 finals against either Blaze or Davino, and that loss should expose him to tougher matchups earlier at NCAAs. The Byrd I’ve watched wrestle this season is not making this year’s NCAA finals at this weight. He’ll be lucky to get 4th.
 

Corby2

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While I would usually be inclined to agree with you, let’s consider the case of Lucas Byrd for a moment. Byrd has wrestled an absolute cupcake schedule thus far (one top-10 opponent, Ayala, nearly 3 months ago), and he hasn’t had a bonus point victory since mid-November. In fact, he has a putrid overall bonus rate of 20% (far less than Connor Pierce, Joe Sealey, Lucas Cochran, and Nate Desmond) and was almost beaten by both Blake Boorman and Dylan Shawver over the few last few weeks. He did (narrowly) beat Dillon Campbell and Ayala in November, but his schedule has been Creampuff City since then.

Anyone who has actually watched him wrestle this season and watched Davino and Blaze wrestle knows beyond a shadow of a doubt, that he is, at best, the 3rd best 133 in the B10. Barring a loss to Van Dee or Sean Spidle this weekend, I’d expect him to eke out a semi-final against Ayala in the B10 Tourney as the 1 seed. But there will be a reckoning in the B10 finals against either Blaze or Davino, and that loss should expose him to tougher matchups earlier at NCAAs. The Byrd I’ve watched wrestle this season is not making this year’s NCAA finals at this weight. He’ll be lucky to get 4th.
Rankings aren't done by watching and saying I think he's #1 those are predictions. The coaches poll had Byrd #1 and so does every ranking service. I understand this is a Penn St forum but only Penn st fans think Byrd shouldnt be #1
 

El_Jefe

Heisman
Oct 11, 2021
3,352
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How do you "shatter" the attendance record? They have had multiple sellouts there over the years and the attendance has been consistent. It is not like they can add a few thousand seats.
Anything is possible in Spyker World.
 
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May 5, 2023
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The order to start the year is based off of the previous year. Once the current season has enough data changes happen. #1s don't move without taking a loss. I believe Kozak has explained that here before
Who gives a sh*t what Kazakor anyone else 's opinion is?
 
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District 4

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Feb 16, 2018
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Rankings aren't done by watching and saying I think he's #1 those are predictions. The coaches poll had Byrd #1 and so does every ranking service. I understand this is a Penn St forum but only Penn st fans think Byrd shouldnt be #1
Penn State FAN not fans. You are talking to one fan. My opinion is Byrd is not the best 133 guy but is ranked where he is because of last year end of story
 

Dren007

Senior
Feb 19, 2012
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A definite possibility that Bouzakis won't see the mat against PSU. Add in Cannon and Kharchla as well, who are also dinged to various degrees. Holding all three guys could be a smart and also gives Tan Tom a built-in excuse for dropping the dual (three starters out, not at full strength, etc.)
Let's throw out our 3 backups at those weights and go from there.
Kidding of course.
 

JA1339

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Feb 5, 2016
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I don't think we see either Bouzakis or Cannon. It is a built in excuse that Ryan will try to use to keep them motivated and that they have a chance come March.
I can see the Tan Man using the injury excuse to argue that at full strength they would have won the dual. Similar to the phantom championship he awarded Kollin Moore during the COVID year.
 

tullfan68

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Jun 20, 2021
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LOL TT can't say a damn word about PSU not going to national duals if he sets even one starter!
 

mh-larch

Senior
Nov 20, 2019
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Ohio wrestling.net has a thread now regarding the match.

Ohio wrestling

(Wish their ON3 site had a wrestling forum.)
Thanks for posting this......good to read. On a side note, that forum format is definitely old school. I didn't realize anyone is still using that format. Takes me back 15-20 years 😜
 

PSU Mike

All-American
Jul 28, 2001
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Sorry, sure the answer has been put out there already. Traveling Friday. Have BTN sub. Is it Fox Sports app that should allow me to watch live? Or did I see an alternate (Fox?) that was needed - I think it was alluded to in Michigan thread?
 

Corby2

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Jul 14, 2025
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Sorry, sure the answer has been put out there already. Traveling Friday. Have BTN sub. Is it Fox Sports app that should allow me to watch live? Or did I see an alternate (Fox?) that was needed - I think it was alluded to in Michigan thread?
Fox sports App will work once you hit watch all the live stuff will come up and whatever is live on BTN TV will be there
 

nerfstate

All-Conference
Oct 11, 2021
620
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Penn State has released its match notes for Friday's showdown with Ohio State. Not going to read too much into it, but no projected lineup is listed for the Lions, which is unusual.

There are projected lineups in the pdf version, but not online or in the email. For PSU it’s all the expected starters with no alternates listed. For OSU, Cannon is listed with 2 alternates, otherwise the same.