Iowa wrestling is back on top of the Big Ten. That was evident all dual season long and will likely continue to be heading into the conference championships.

Plenty of Hawkeyes should take the podium in Piscataway, New Jersey. Now, it’s just a matter which ones will take the Big Ten gold.

It was said plenty last season, but Spencer Lee not winning the 125-pound championship would be the biggest surprise of the event. Lee was the favorite last year and didn’t take the conference crown. This season, he’ll get it done.

The other top-ranked wrestler in Iowa’s lineup, Michael Kemerer at 174-pounds, is someone I also would bet on winning at Big Tens. Mark Hall of Penn State in particular will be a challenge for Kemerer, but he already took down the Nittany Lion standout earlier this season. If the two meet up, I think Kemerer beats Hall again.

Alex Marinelli also faces a tough test against a Penn State wrestler in his weight group. Vincenzo Joseph handed Marinelli his first loss at Carver-Hawkeye Arena earlier this season. However, Marinelli won it all as the No. 2 seed last year. I’d favor him to do it again.

I think it will also be a good weekend for No. 3 seed Max Murin at 141-pounds and No. 2 seed Pat Lugo at 149-pounds.

That makes five champions for Iowa at the Big Ten Championships.

The battle at 133 is too tough to call, which makes me hesitant to pick Austin DeSanto. Kaleb Young has been struggling of late, and Abe Assad has been out of the lineup so long I’m not sure what to expect from them.

The competition for Jacob Warner and Tony Cassioppi is also crowded. Heavyweight in particular is a loaded field.

Taking home half of the individual Big Ten Championship titles may or may not be enough to make Tom Brands happy, but it should be enough to give the Hawkeyes a conference title.