The Big Ten is college wrestling's premier conference, and although Ohio State wrestled one of the toughest out-of-conference schedules in the country this year, this is the time of year when the competition is turned all the way up to 11. After a thorough beating of the No. 8 Wisconsin Badgers Friday night in Madison, the Buckeyes return to Covelli Center Sunday afternoon to host Illinois.
The Fighting Illini aren't ranked in the Top 25 at the moment in the NWCA Coaches Poll, but it would be a mistake to dismiss them on that datapoint alone. Seven Illinois wrestlers are currently ranked nationally by FloWrestling, including No.