A hallmark of Big Ten wrestling is its depth. Even most of the conference's lesser lights are ranked and have proven talent up and down their lineups. A weekend with Michigan and Illinois can leave a team battered and looking for respite, but in the Big Ten there is no rest for the weary.
No. 13 Wisconsin
Winning the Big Ten will be a difficult task for the Badgers who currently have nobody ranked in the top 10 of their respective weight classes.
The Badgers have dropped matches to both Penn and Lehigh, two teams that Penn State beat earlier this season. They have only three wrestlers ranked in the top 20 of their weight class: Tom Clum at 125, Ed Gutnik at 133, and Ralph DeNisco at 174.
No. 17 Purdue
Traditionally a second class citizen in Big Ten wrestling, Purdue is currently having an outstanding season. A 37-0 victory against Eastern Illinois over the weekend pushed the Boilermakers' record to 14-2. For Purdue, balance is the key to success. They lack the individual stars of some of the conference's other programs, but tough, experienced wrestlers can be found throughout the lineup. Purdue could be even better if Chris Fleeger, who placed second in the country at 125 last year, wasn't redshirting.
No. 22 Ohio State
The Buckeyes will enter the Big Ten season against Penn State on Sunday having lost four dual meets in a row. Heavyweight Tommy Rowlands is currently ranked No. 1 and looks to become Ohio State's first four-time All-American. His match-up against Penn State's Pat Cummins will be one of the Lions' most anticipated matches of the season.
Ohio State's lack of depth could prevent them from reaching the top of the Big Ten. Other than Rowlands, the Buckeyes have wrestlers ranked in the top 20 in only two other weight classes, No. 6 Blake Kaplan at 184 and No. 12 Jeff Ratliff at 149.
No. 24 Michigan State
The Spartans have struggled so far this year, getting thrashed 29-3 by Missouri in the first round of the National Dual Championships and then losing to Central Michigan 20-15 in the consolation match.
At 141, redshirt freshman Andy Simmons was the only wrestler to score points for the Spartans against Missouri. Simmons should provide strength at 141 for years to come. He went 219-0 in his high school wrestling career and became just the eighth wrestler in the state of Michigan's history to win four straight state titles.
Indiana
The unranked Hoosiers have been feasting on weak competition in the early season and have built a 15-3 record. Don't let the level of their opposition fool you though.
Indiana has a lineup with some firepower and should prove tougher than usual when they wade into Big Ten action this week.
The unquestionable star is Coyte Cooper at 141 pounds. Cooper is 26-1 on the season and ranked in the top five.
Penn State should know Cooper well from his battles with Scott Moore over the years.
Other top Hoosiers include Brady Richardson at 174 and Pat DeGain at 197.
Northwestern
Once again, the Wildcats are in the familiar position of conference whipping boy. Even with an 8-2 record this season, there's no remedy for an ailing team as proven or as effective as seeing the purple and black across the mat. Just ask Iowa who revived their ailing season with a 39-4 beat down of Northwestern on Saturday.
Northwestern is the only team in the conference without having a ranked wrestler.
If anyone is going to break into the top 20 of there respective weight, it will most likely be 125 pounder John Velez, who owns several impressive wins this so far this year.
