The Penn State wrestling team's recent trek of five straight dual victories has not helped soothe the burn of losing the first two Big Ten home duals. This weekend, the Nittany Lions will get a chance to heal their wounds with a crack at the best team in the nation.

This weekend will be the pinnacle of competitive wrestling as the Nittany Lions clash with two perennial titans of the Big Ten, No. 18 Michigan State at 7 p.m. tonight, and No. 1 Minnesota at 1 p.m. Sunday at Rec Hall. The meets serve as the last home dual battles of the season.

A total of 21 ranked wrestlers will take the floor at Rec Hall this weekend, including three that are ranked No. 1.

"The guys know the importance of this weekend," said Penn State coach Troy Sunderland. "I talked to them a little bit this morning. We're 0-2 in the Big Ten Conference and that's not what we want. We gotta start things off on the right foot tomorrow night."

After starting out the Big Ten campaign with two losses to now No. 3 Michigan and No. 23 Wisconsin, Penn State has gone on a tear, sending four ranked teams home with their tails between their legs.

These victories have been confidence building baby steps for a team entering the meat of its season in a conference that features nine of the top-25 teams in the nation.

Sunderland said he has stressed the importance of not overlooking Michigan State (2-3, 0-0) before putting too much time into Minnesota this week.

"Some matches we need to win are 33 and 57, 65, 87, 97 and heavyweight. Those are some matches that we're capable of winning if we wrestle how we should," Sunderland said.

141-pound wrestler Dewitt Driscoll agrees with his coach. He will face off against one of his biggest foes in No. 4 Andy Simmons tomorrow night.

"A whole lot of attention has been put on Minnesota, but I'm focusing on Simmons," Driscoll said. "I've wrestled him a few times and I still haven't beaten him.

"I'm not too concerned yet with the guy on Sunday."

After only one day of rest, the Lions will face off against what some feel is their most difficult opponent of the season in Minnesota (14-0, 2-0).

Sunderland said he is looking forward to matchups at 184 where No. 1 Bradley will be tested against Minnesota's No. 10 Roger Kish and also a battle of youngsters between Penn State freshman No. 9 Jake Strayer and Gopher sophomore No. 3 Mack Reiter.