Big Ten opens 2017-18 season this weekend

ROSEMONT, Ill. – The 2017-18 Big Ten wrestling season kicks off this week, with 12 teams taking the mat.

Illinois opens the season on Saturday, as the Illini travel to Columbia, Mo., to take on Missouri in an outdoor meet. Maryland and Rutgers also open the season with an outdoor dual match, when the conference foes meet in the end zone at High Point Solutions Stadium in Piscataway, N.J. Ohio State rounds out Saturday’s matches as the Buckeyes compete at the Princeton Open.

Indiana opens the season on Sunday at the Clarion Open in Clarion, Pa., while Minnesota and Nebraska will begin the 2017-18 campaign on the road in Brookings, S.D., at the Daktronics Open. Michigan, Michigan State, Northwestern, Purdue and Wisconsin all take to the mat on Sunday in East Lansing, Mich., competing at the Michigan State Open.

In addition, select wrestlers from Michigan, Ohio State and Penn State will compete at the NWCA All-Star Classic on Sunday, Nov. 5.

Penn State will open its season at home on Thursday, Nov. 9, against Army West Point, while Iowa begins competition on Friday, Nov. 17, when the Hawkeyes host the Iowa City Duals.

Nine conference teams enter the season ranked among the top 20 in the InterMat College Dual Meet Rankings, with Big Ten teams claiming the top three spots. Penn State leads the way at No. 1, followed by No. 2 Ohio State, No. 3 Michigan, No. 6 Minnesota, No. 7 Iowa, No. 11 Nebraska and No. 12 Rutgers. Illinois begins the season ranked No. 16 in the poll, while Wisconsin is No. 20.