I think you can put “stock” into a blowout. Iowa is much better than us. We already know that and will be reminded yet again in March. What it didn’t mean is that we aren’t making strides as a program because we clearly are. We just aren’t title contenders at this time. I also think in wrestling you can “fight” all you want but if your opponent is much better than you it often doesn’t show up.
I agree with this. If a fan's expectation this weekend is to beat the #1 team in the country, then you are setting yourself up for a disappointment even if Iowa needs to send out a bunch of backups.
The reality is that team is stacked with a lot of depth due to the extra Covid eligibility and the fact they are considered a top tier destination for wrestlers as they have been for decades. Would I love to see us win.. of course. Am I satisfied where we are currently.. not especially, but not disappointed either. Do I think we can do better with the coaching staff and resources currently allocated to the program? ... No, I think they are building a solid base for long term.
It's a helluva mountain to climb to get any program into the same tier as Iowa and Penn State right now and I believe the best we can hope for in the short to mid-term is to get us to that 2nd tier where Oklahoma State, Michigan, and Ohio State are at right now. Even that is going to be a challenge that won't happen soon, but I think given time, persistence and consistency, Dresser and Metcalf and company can get there and I plan to support them along the way.