Huskers Ranked Seventh in Preseason Poll

The Nebraska wrestling team opens its 2014-15 campaign with the No. 7 ranking in the USA Today/NWCA Coaches Poll.

The Huskers return all seven NCAA qualifiers from last season, including All-Americans James Green (157) and Robert Kokesh (174). Both Green and Kokesh collected victories in the NWCA All-Star Classic on Saturday night in Philadelphia, Pa.

Tim Lambert (125), Jake Sueflohn (149), Austin Wilson (165), TJ Dudley (184) and Collin Jensen (HWT) all competed in the 2014 NCAA Championships. All seven wrestlers are ranked by InterMat heading into the season, as well as junior Anthony Abidin, who garnered the No. 17 spot at 141 pounds. 

The Huskers will face five teams that are ranked in the preseason poll, including Big Ten foes Michigan (9th), Illinois (13th), Wisconsin (18th) and Northwestern (19th). No. 25 Wyoming hosts Nebraska on Friday at 4 p.m. (CT) in the Huskers' dual opener.

Iowa earned the top spot in the rankings, while Minnesota (2nd) and Cornell (3rd) round out the top three. Big Ten teams Ohio State (4th) and Penn State (5th) are also in the top five.

This weekend, the Huskers will compete in the Cowboy Open on Saturday in Laramie, Wyo., after battling No. 25 Wyoming on Friday night. NU's first home dual is scheduled for Sunday, Nov. 16 against Maryland at the NU Coliseum at 1 p.m. All five of Nebraska's remaining home duals will be held at the Devaney Center.

USA Today/NWCA Coaches Poll (Preseason)
1. Iowa
2. Minnesota
3. Cornell
4. Ohio State
5. Penn State
6. Missouri
7. Nebraska
8. Oklahoma State
9. Michigan
10. Edinboro
11. Virginia
12. Virginia Tech
13. Illinois
14. Pittsburgh
15. Lehigh
16. Iowa State
17. Northern Iowa
18. Wisconsin
19. Northwestern
20. Oregon State
21. Oklahoma
22. Old Dominion
23. North Dakota State
24. Ohio
25. Wyoming