Grappling for the Big Ten

IU enters a crucial weekend with two matches against the cream of the Big Ten crop beginning Saturday.\nThe Hoosiers will begin against No. 12 Michigan State at the University Gym. The Spartans have dominated the series, owning an overall record of 44-17-3, including the last six in a row. IU hasn't scored a victory against State in Bloomington since 1991.\n"It's the toughest weekend of the year as far as the level of rankings," IU coach Duane Goldman said. "We need to start quicker or battle back harder."\nThe Spartans will bring five ranked wrestlers to town, highlighted by the Simmons brothers. Nick Simmons is a perfect 23-0 at 125 pounds and ranked third, while his brother Andy is 24-2 and ranked third at 141 pounds.\nFortunately for Hoosier fans, IU will be able to counter with two ranked wrestlers of their own at those positions. Senior Mike Simpson, ranked No. 16 at 141 pounds, seems to be regaining his form after missing several matches due to a head injury and illness. Last weekend he came back to score a dramatic 6-5 win with a last-second takedown.\nBut the finest match of the night might be the first. IU All-American Joe Dubuque will take on Nick Simmons in what will most likely be a preview of the Big Ten championships. Dubuque is ranked fifth at 125 pounds and currently is on a 16-match winning streak.\n"It's just another weekend," Dubuque said. "There's a couple of things I'm going to modify, but I'm not going to change my style of wrestling."\nThe Hoosiers will make a short road trip Sunday to Champaign, Ill. to take on the No. 2 Fighting Illini. While the all-time series is a much more even 37-36-1, IU hasn't beaten Illinois since 1996. Once again the top match-up will involve Dubuque, who will wrestle against Kyle Ott, who is ranked as high as third in some polls.\nIU will hopefully get a boost this weekend from the return of senior heavyweight Pat DeGain, who was held out of his final match last weekend with an injured shoulder. While he hasn't been fully cleared by team doctors to wrestle, DeGain sounds like someone who will be on the mat come Saturday.\n"More than likely I'd be sitting," he said. "But I'm desperate to get out there. I miss the battling." \n-- Contact Staff Writer Andrew Petersen at andpeter@indiana.edu.