We’re at that time in the season where the newness has worn off but NQS hasn’t kicked in yet, so there’s a small sense of monotony in our week-to-week actions. But keep plugging along gym fans! We have some exciting matchups this weekend, and a shift in rankings is just around the corner.
As always, you’ll find everything you need to follow along with all the meets happening this weekend, including previews of the top matchups, Fantasy Gymnastics resources and every scoring and video link you could ever need.
Can’t-Miss Matchups
No. T-8 Michigan at No. 17 Nebraska
When You Need to Tell Your Friends You’re Busy: Thursday, January 30 at 7:00 ET on ESPN2
Why You Should Cancel Plans For It: Both the Wolverines and Huskers had breakout meets last weekend, surpassing 197 for the first time in 2020. They’re the only Big Ten programs to hit that mark so far. This ESPN2 showcase gives both teams the opportunity to try to repeat the feat on a big stage. This could be a preview of the battle we’ll see for the conference title, although Minnesota may have something to say about that.
What We’re Watching: These are two of the top vault lineups in the nation. Nebraska has three stickable Yurchenko one and a halfs from Taylor Houchin, Anika Dujakovich and Adnerys de Jesus, matched by powerful vaults from Gabby Wilson, Natalie Wojcik and Sierra Brooks. Do not take your eyes off this event in the first two rotations.
What Else You Should Know Before Tuning In: We saw Kynsee Roby back on vault and beam for the Huskers in East Lansing last week, as well as Abby Johnston in the floor exhibition spot. Their returns could boost Nebraska and help it keep pace with Michigan. We’re also watching to see whether Wilson will add beam and be in the all around for the Wolverines, something Bev Plocki has hinted is likely at some point in the near future.
No. 7 Alabama at No. 6 LSU
When You Need to Tell Your Friends You’re Busy: Friday, January 31 at 8:30 ET on SECN
Why You Should Cancel Plans For It: This could be the closest matchup between the Tigers and the Crimson Tide in some time. An invigorated Crimson Tide matched with a (comparably) depleted LSU should make for a great show. LSU boasts one of the toughest road environments in NCAA gymnastics, so it won’t be easy for Alabama. However, the team has already had a similar experience this season with the Auburn rivalry meet under its belt. Expect the surging Crimson Tide to come out swinging in Baton Rouge.
What We’re Watching: Will we finally see Makarri Doggette’s add vault to complete her all around program this week? We’re also wondering if Luisa Blanco will compete all four events after doing so for the first time last week. Another star freshman, LSU’s Kiya Johnson, is fresh off a 10.000 performance on beam at Florida, and she’ll expect to bring that momentum into this home meet. Speaking of LSU, the Tigers will likely need to fill a spot each in the vault and floor lineups with junior Sarah Edwards having been injured last week. Watch to see who makes the cut.
What Else You Should Know Before Tuning In: As was said, Sarah Edwards will likely not compete this week.
No. 18 Auburn at No. 13 Georgia
When You Need to Tell Your Friends You’re Busy: Sunday, February 2 at 4:00 ET on ESPN
Why You Should Cancel Plans For It: Both teams have had slow-ish starts with some promising moments to be proud of; as such, this should be as close of a matchup as the Super Bowl is being held later this day. It also features some of the most underrated yet exciting freshmen in the country, like Georgia’s Soraya Hawthorne and Auburn’s Cassie Stevens and Aria Brusch.
What We’re Watching: Auburn sophomore Derrian Gobourne had an unusual fall on floor last week; it was likely a fluke, but we’ll be watching this week to see if she bounces back (and just to watch her, because it’s Derrian Gobourne). Also, last week at Metroplex Hawthorne warmed up beam but didn’t compete it, so we’ll be watching to see if that changes next week.
What Else You Should Know Before Tuning In: It’s the first (and so far, the only) meet of the season on big ESPN! Props to the network for continually giving gymnastics a platform on a day so famous for another sport.
Meets You Didn’t Know You Should Be Interested In
No. 15 BYU at No. 28 Boise State
When the Meet’s Happening: Friday, January 31 at 9:00 ET
Why You Should See the Error of Your Ways: Another week, another conference matchup for BYU. The Cougars put up their best meet of the season last week, scoring a 197.025 to mark their highest score since 2004. Meanwhile, Boise State has struggled to find success, especially after losing senior Courtney McGregor to an Achilles tear. The Broncos’ sixth bars routine is still a mystery, but they did fairly well with their five last week. If the beginning of this season is any indication, we could be in for a new MRGC champion this season, and BYU could very well be it. With its success, the Cougars have reached the top spot in the MRGC while Boise State has dropped to third in the conference for the first time since 2015. Don’t miss this chance to see the Cougars take on Boise State head to head, as it could very well be a preview of what’s to come for these conferencemates as the season progresses.
Need More Proof? Coming into the season, Boise State would have been the expected frontrunner in this meet, but we could very well see a BYU “upset” here with Boise State’s recent struggles and BYU’s recent success. BYU floor is always a delight to watch; Shannon Evans made her season debut last week as she works her way back from an injury, and Abbey Miner’s set is one to watch as well. Beyond floor, Haley Pitou and Abby Stainton are great on bars. Emily Muhlenhaupt’s bars stand out for Boise State—she’s ranked third nationally on the event—and has recently added beam to her repertoire as well. Watch for Maddi Nilson on bars and Adriana Popp on beam and floor as well. It’s also a Boise State home meet, which are always interesting to watch for scoring purposes.
No. 27 Central Michigan at No. 47 Northern Illinois
When the Meet’s Happening: Saturday, February 2 at 2:00 ET on ESPN+
Why You Should See the Error of Your Ways: This is the first time these two teams have met since the fateful MAC championship last year when Northern Illinois upset Central Michigan for the title. The Chippewas are undoubtedly eager to claim a victory at this meet and further solidify themselves as the conference leaders. And they are more than capable of doing so: They have already scored higher on vault, bars and beam than they did all of last season. This team could push into 196 territory if it manages to hit on all four events at the same meet. The Huskies on the other hand have been struggling to even break 194 so far, and if they want to remain competitive with their conference counterparts, that is going to need to change. The pieces are there, but like the Chippewas, it just needs to come together at the same meet. Maybe this will be the one for both.
Need More Proof? There are stand-out athletes on each of these teams. Keep an eye on senior Denelle Pedrick, sophomore Morgan Tong and freshman Hannah DeMers for Central Michigan, all of whom are capable of going 9.9-plus on their strong events. Sophomore Tara Kofmehl has really stood out for Northern Illinois so far this season, on floor especially.
Meets You Should at Least Record and Watch Later
No. 46 Pittsburgh, No. 24 West Virginia, No. 58 William & Mary at No. T-43 George Washington
When to Find It on the TV Guide: Friday, January 31 at 7:00 ET on gwsports.com
Why You Should Clear Space on Your DVR: West Virginia has had a great start to its season, in part thanks to standout freshmen Abbie Pierson and Kianna Yancey. Their floor rotation in particular is one to watch—it scored a huge 49.475 last weekend. George Washington has struggled on floor this year, but it finally was able to put it all together last week. Will the Colonials be able to keep the momentum going? Pitt has had two meets in a row that it would like to put in the past. Can the Panthers finally find their footing once again?
What to Look for If you Missed It: As mentioned previously, Kianna Yancey and Abbie Pierson from West Virginia will be ones to watch. Also, teammate Chloe Cluchey is the reigning Big 12 specialist of the week for her 9.925 on floor this past week. For Pitt, senior transfer Michaela Burton has won the bars title in every meets she’s competed in this year and is also strong on beam and floor. Katie Waldman from William & Mary is back to full strength this season and vaults an uncommon Yurchenko full-on tuck off—a 10.0 start value.
Links and Things
These aren’t the only meets happening this weekend. To see all the matchups all in one place, take a look at our master schedule. You can also find live scoring and video links for all this weekend’s competitions below.
| Date | Time (ET) | Teams | Scoring Link | Video Link |
| Thurs, Jan. 30 | 7 p.m. | UM at UNL | Scores | ESPN2 |
| Thurs, Jan. 30 | 7:30 p.m. | UWO at Winona | Scores | Live Stream |
| Fri, Jan. 31 | 7 p.m. | Ark at Miz | Scores | SECN |
| Fri, Jan. 31 | 7 p.m. | Bridgeport & Ursinus at Temple | Scores | Live Stream |
| Fri, Jan. 31 | 7 p.m. | Pitt, WVU, W&M at GWU | Scores | Live Stream |
| Fri, Jan. 31 | 7 p.m. | RU at PSU | Scores | BTN+ |
| Fri, Jan. 31 | 7:30 p.m. | GAC & UWEC at UWLC | Scores | |
| Fri, Jan. 31 | 7:30 p.m. | Ill St at SEMO | Scores | ESPN+ |
| Fri, Jan. 31 | 7:45 p.m. | Iowa St at OU | Scores | FSOK+ |
| Fri, Jan. 31 | 8 p.m. | UF at UK | Scores | SEC+ |
| Fri, Jan. 31 | 8:30 p.m. | Ala at LSU | Scores | SECN |
| Fri, Jan. 31 | 9 p.m. | BYU at Boise St | Scores | Live Stream |
| Fri, Jan. 31 | 9 p.m. | USU at SUU | Scores | Live Stream |
| Fri, Jan. 31 | 10 p.m. | UAA & Sac St at SPU | Scores | YouTube |
| Fri, Jan. 31 | 10 p.m. | UCD at SJSU | Scores | |
| Fri, Jan. 31 | 10 p.m. | UW at UCLA | Scores | P12N |
| Sat, Feb. 1 | 1 p.m. | Bridgeport & SCSU at Yale | Scores | ESPN+ |
| Sat, Feb. 1 | 1 p.m. | Brockport at Ithaca | Scores | |
| Sat, Feb. 1 | 1 p.m. | RIC & Springfield at WCU | Scores | |
| Sat, Feb. 1 | 4 p.m. | Utah at Ariz | Scores | PAC 12 Stream |
| Sat, Feb. 1 | 5 p.m. | UWS at UWW | Scores | Live Stream |
| Sat, Feb. 1 | 6 p.m. | Cal at ASU | Scores | PAC 12 Stream |
| Sat, Feb. 1 | 7 p.m. | Minn at tOSU | Scores | BTN+ |
| Sat, Feb. 1 | 7 p.m. | Towson at UNH | Scores | ESPN+ |
| Sat, Feb. 1 | 7 p.m. | UNC at NCSU | Scores | ACCNX |
| Sat, Feb. 1 | 8 p.m. | MSU at Iowa | Scores | BTN+ |
| Sun, Feb. 2 | 1 p.m. | BGSU at WMU | Scores | |
| Sun, Feb. 2 | 1 p.m. | Brown & SCSU at Bridgeport | Scores | |
| Sun, Feb. 2 | 1 p.m. | Penn at Cornell | Scores | ESPN+ |
| Sun, Feb. 2 | 1 p.m. | GWU at KSU | Scores | Live Stream |
| Sun, Feb. 2 | 2 p.m. | CMU at NIU | Scores | ESPN3 |
| Sun, Feb. 2 | 2 p.m. | EMU at LU | Scores | Live Stream |
| Sun, Feb. 2 | 2 p.m. | Ill at UMD | Scores (PW: terps) | BTN |
| Sun, Feb. 2 | 3 p.m. | Iowa St at TWU | Scores | Live Stream |
| Sun, Feb. 2 | 4 p.m. | Aub at UGA | Scores | ESPN |
| Sun, Feb. 2 | 4 p.m. | USAFA & Ball St at DU | Scores | |
| Sun, Feb. 2 | 4 p.m. | Stan at OSU | Scores | PAC 12 |
Fantasy Gymnastics Resources
Don’t worry! We haven’t forgotten about Fantasy Gymnastics players. Check out our weekly feature, Fantasy Central, for the latest injury news, find out which teams are one a bye, advice on who to trade for and more.
READ THIS NEXT: Fantasy Central: Week 5
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Article by the editors of College Gym News
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