Penn State Returns as Defending Wrestling Champion

Northern Iowa wrestling is upbeat after a ninth-place NCAA finish — the program's best under coach Doug Schwab — but faces transitions with Parker Keckeisen departing, assistant Lee Roper leaving for Oklahoma State's regional training center, Ian Parker arriving, and uncertainty among likely starters as the Panthers open Nov. 9 at the Journeyman Classic and Nov. 15-16 at the National Duals. Rutgers will open its 2025-26 season Nov. 2 with a quad meet at Jersey Mike's Arena. Defending national champion Penn State, boasting a roster of former champions, NCAA finalists and multiple All-Americans, will host Oklahoma on Nov. 14, attend the Black Knight Invitational, then face Drexel (Dec. 5) and Lehigh (Dec. 7) en route to the NCAA Championships in Cleveland. Iowa football has rallied to 5-2 after two Big Ten wins and is being discussed in College Football Playoff terms, though analysts say the Hawkeyes would likely need to win out — including road games at Oregon and USC — to have a realistic chance. Nebraska football dropped a lopsided 24-6 loss to Minnesota, sits 5-2, and faces a critical five-game stretch beginning with Northwestern at home. Iowa wrestling projects a deep lineup headlined by NCAA finalists Drake Ayala and Michael Caliendo, All-Americans Patrick Kennedy and Ben Kueter and incoming transfers/freshmen; media day is Oct. 29 and the Hawkeyes open Nov. 6 vs. Bellarmine as coaches finalize the roster.