Direct athletics is my friend wrote:
Based on the performance lists, it's going to come down to Nebraska and Ohio State who both have the most complete team. Then Indiana, Wisconsin, and Minnesota will being very close 3-5 with whichever team wins the distance battle coming out on top.
The key for Ohio State will be Mike Hartfield in the jumps. He's competed once each in the LJ and TJ and didn't jump all that well. He was a 25-high machine last year as well as a 51-52 guy. That would hit Nebraska where they live and be a huge points swing if he is in form.
It will be interesting to see what Wisconsin does with the distance guys. If they don't think they can win the meet, it's hard to see them doubling anybody. Going to Tyson worked out for Hatz, but it was a disaster for Darling and Connor. The rabbit in the 3000 was a joke, lasting only through 1200 and getting them there way off pace, so Darling had to not only lead the last 1800, but try to get it back to Auto pace. The 7:54.70 was good all things considered, but not what they were looking for. There is a possibility they could try to do something in Lincoln rather than leave it to a last chance meet. Small possibility, I know, but they've at least got to think about it.