Wrestling returns after a long break on Friday for No. 11 Illinois’ (6-0, 1-0) all-important Big Ten showdown against No. 4 Ohio State (8-0, 0-0). Illinois wants to continue the same momentum from 2024 in the New Year.
In Illinois’ second home dual of the season, it will face an undefeated team for the first time since it faced No. 24 Indiana (4-1, 0-1) in December. It also marks the beginning of a string of Big Ten matchups that will take the Illini to the end of the season.
Illinois so far
Illinois enters Friday with a perfect record. Much of Illinois’ success this season can be attributed to its “big three” of 133-pound redshirt senior Lucas Byrd, 165-pound redshirt freshman Braeden Scoles and 285-pound redshirt senior Luke Luffman — all of whom have yet to lose a match.
Illinois has proven its strength this season with key wins against ranked opponents, including No. 21 Missouri (2-6), Indiana and No. 25 North Carolina (4-4). Now, Illinois faces its biggest test yet against Ohio State as it puts its unbeaten season on the line with a chance to assert itself in the conference.
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Breaking down the Buckeyes
Ohio State is also undefeated this season. It started with three blowout wins with margins of 30, 36 and 32 points. Since then, Ohio State has won two close duals against No. 18 Pittsburgh (5-2) and North Carolina. Its most important win came against No. 13 Iowa State (4-3) 29-10. With three ranked wins, Ohio State is a formidable opponent and will be Illinois’ biggest challenge so far.
Historically, the Buckeyes have had the edge over the Illini. In their most recent dual in January 2024, Illinois lost 36-6. Overall, in 15 matchups since 2000, Ohio State leads Illinois 8-7. Illinois’ largest margin of victory was 36-3 in 2000, and its largest margin of defeat came in 2010 with a scoreline of 38-3.
Despite being behind historically, Illinois boasts a 5-3 record at home. As Illinois returns home, it hopes to have an edge and a change in fortune against conference rivals.
Weight class wars
Illinois’ biggest strength against Ohio State will be consistency. In duals this season, Ohio State has played 23 wrestlers across all weight categories compared to Illinois’ 11. As a significant disparity, Illinois must capitalize and double down on the home advantage.
Illinois 125-pound junior Caelan Riley’s struggles have continued throughout the season. He is 0-5 in duals, and Illinois will hope the New Year brings a new energy to the opening weight category. Riley will be challenged by Ohio State’s redshirt sophomore Brendan McCrone, who is 6-1 in duals this season.
Big Ten is set for an exciting clash in the 133-pound weight category as Byrd will face off against Ohio State redshirt sophomore Nic Bouzakis, with both being undefeated.
The other two members of Illinois’ “big three,” Scoles and Luffman, are undefeated as well. They will face formidable challenges in the form of Ohio State’s 165-pound graduate student Sammy Sasso (4-1) and 285-pound redshirt sophomore Nick Feldman (3-0).
Conclusion
With the stakes high, Illinois is ready to prove it can compete with the best in the Big Ten. It will get its chance at 7 p.m. on Friday.
