NCAA Wrestling Championships 2015: Dates, Schedule and Predictions

With no clear favorite and a fifth straight title for Penn State looking unlikely, the 2015 NCAA Wrestling Championships could prove to be one of the most exciting and unpredictable tournaments in recent memory.

No one school has managed to separate itself from the rest of the field, which means the national title is truly up for grabs. The best collegiate wrestlers in the country will vie for both individual and team success in St. Louis, and it should make for a dream event as far as wrestling fans are concerned.

Prior to the start of the three-day NCAA Wrestling Championships, here is a rundown of the schedule, as well as predictions for how the top squads will fare.

Where: Scottrade Center in St. Louis

When: Thursday, March 19, through Saturday, March 21

Watch: ESPN and ESPNU

Live Stream: ESPN3

TV Schedule

Date	Time (ET)	Round	Watch
Thursday, March 19	12 p.m.	First Round	ESPN3
Thursday, March 19	12 p.m.	First Round	ESPNU
Thursday, March 19	7 p.m.	Consolations	ESPN3
Thursday, March 19	7 p.m.	Consolations	ESPNU
Friday, March 20	11 a.m.	Quarterfinals & Consolations	ESPN3
Friday, March 20	11 a.m.	Quarterfinals & Consolations	ESPNU
Friday, March 20	8 p.m.	Semifinals	ESPN3
Friday, March 20	8 p.m.	Semifinals	ESPNU
Saturday, March 21	11 a.m.	Medal Round	ESPN3
Saturday, March 21	11 a.m.	Medal Round	ESPNU
Saturday, March 21	8 p.m.	Final	ESPN

Brackets

Brackets are available by weight class at NCAA.com.

Final Predictions

First Place: Iowa

Iowa has won the second-most collegiate wrestling national championships of all time at 23, and although the Hawkeyes will face some stiff competition, No. 24 could potentially be on the way.

The Hawkeyes enter the tournament as the No. 2 team in the nation, according to NCAA.com, but they don't intend to settle for second place. As seen in this video courtesy of Hawkeye Wrestling on Twitter, the Iowa wrestlers and head coach Tom Brands have some lofty expectations:

It can be argued that Iowa is a slight favorite, but Luke Meredith of The Associated Press is blown away by the parity attached to this year's NCAA Wrestling Championships:

One thing working in the Hawkeyes' favor could be the notion that they'll carry a chip on their shoulder. Iowa had to split the Big Ten title with Ohio State, and it seemingly left a bad taste in Brands' mouth, per NCAA.com.

Brands said:

"

It stings any time you share the hardware. You look back and find what could have gone your way, but they can say the same thing. Ultimately our individuals will determine our team fate. It's important to us and it's important to our athletic department.

"

Iowa is stacked with talent much like many of the teams that will be competing in St. Louis, but that added motivation is what will push the Hawkeyes over the top.

Second Place: Missouri

Iowa's biggest competition for a national title may very well be top-ranked Missouri. The Tigers are the MAC champions and enter the NCAA Wrestling Championships with an undefeated record, which is something that could either boost their confidence or add unneeded pressure.

According to Matthew Greenfield of The Missourian, though, head coach Brian Smith and his team are now solely focused on what is ahead rather than what they have already accomplished.

"We had four goals this season, and we've got three done," Smith said. "We'll enjoy (the MAC title) for a couple more hours, and then it's focus on St. Louis, which has been the ultimate goal this season."

There is no doubt that the Tigers are equipped to accomplish their ultimate goal, as they have three wrestlers that are favored to win individual titles, per Chris Gervino of KOMU 8 Sports:

Mizzou will also have the home-state advantage, although that could easily turn into a disadvantage as well. With so many potential distractions in place, as well as a lack of experience in terms of vying for national titles at Missouri, look for the Tigers to fall just short of Iowa.

Third Place: Ohio State

After sharing the Big Ten title with Iowa, there is no doubt that Ohio State is very much in the running to win it all at the NCAA Wrestling Championships as well.

The Buckeyes have had some slip-ups this season, which has resulted in them being ranked No. 5 in the nation, according to NCAA.com, but they have shown the ability to compete with anyone when they put it all together as a team.

One advantage OSU has over its opponents is the fact that it essentially has money in the bank in the form of 141-pound star Logan Stieber. He will go for his fourth individual title, and he is embracing the attention that comes along with it, per Todd Jones of The Columbus Dispatch.

"I don’t feel the pressure," Stieber said. "This is fun for me. I'm not nervous at all. This is what I live for. This is the best time of the year."

Unfortunately for the Buckeyes, it takes a total team effort to win the national championship. Ohio State may have enough to take the title if everything goes right, but it is more likely that it will have to settle for a third-place finish.

Follow @MikeChiari on Twitter