The Mount: Predictions, Picks, and Other Things to Know Ahead of Week 3

We’re through the big season-opening quads and onto conference dual action. With some juicy matchups on tap for week three, you don’t want to miss a second! But if you have to, check out what to keep an eye out for in the previews below, plus coverage links, predictions, and more.

Must-Watch Meets

Florida at Auburn

Friday, Jan. 19 at 6 p.m. ET | SECN

Prediction: 94.08% Florida, 5.92% Auburn

Florida was good but not great in its week two season debut, posting a strong 197.100 despite a shaky bars rotation that ended its 28-meet streak of scoring 49-plus on every event. Likewise, Auburn rallied to drop falls on bars and beam, culminating in a 197.025 against the visiting Kentucky Wildcats. 

Signs point to this being a rebuilding year, relatively speaking, for both teams in the wake of losing generational talents Trinity Thomas and Sunisa Lee. We still expect to see exceptional gymnastics and big scores at this meet, just maybe not the multiple perfect 10s we’ve grown accustomed to when these two go head to head. (For those keeping track, they’ve accumulated 22 scores of 9.950 better—including seven 10.0s—over their last two dual meets). 

That said, keep an eye out for Ellie Lazzari: The Florida senior scored a 9.975 on beam, matching her career high for the first time since her 2022 Achilles injury. Both teams also boast  multiple freshmen with high scoring potential on all four events. 

Additional notes about the predictions: Auburn’s highest win percentage is seen if it can win on bars, increasing to 27%. With Leanne Wong also training for the Olympics, it will remain to be seen how heavily the Gators rely on her this season. If she does not compete this week, Florida’s win percentage decreases to 85%.

Missouri at Georgia

Saturday, Jan. 20 at 2 p.m. ET | SECN+

Prediction: 71.42% Missouri, 28.58% Georgia

The season is young, but Georgia’s injury report is already cause for concern. Three gymnasts—including fifth-year standout Haley De Jong—are confirmed as being out for the season, with two more sporting crutches. 

While the Gymdogs have struggled to field six gymnasts on the power events, the Tigers  seemingly have depth to spare: They’ve played around with lineups and shown multiple exhibitions in weeks one and two, averaging a 196.813.  

On paper, host Georgia has the upper hand on bars and beam, though Missouri has a better season high on both events and ranks sixth nationally on vault and floor. Home floor advantage only goes so far (particularly with so many injuries at play), and Georgia is definitely the underdog heading into this meet.

Additional notes about the predictions: Missouri’s win percentage is down slightly from 79% to 71% after a weaker showing in week two. However, it is still a strong favorite to win. Georgia’s best chance of winning comes if it can post the higher score on vault and floor, bringing its win percentage up to 50%.

Michigan at Ohio State

Sunday, Jan. 21 at 2 p.m. ET | BTN+

Prediction: 78.11% Michigan, 21.89% Ohio State

A rivalry meet to kick off Big Ten in-conference play? Yes, please! The Buckeyes are surging, and while Michigan had a great comeback after a tough week one, it still has to prove it can perform on the road this season. While Michigan remains the favorite, it would be unwise to count out Ohio State at home after two very strong performances. Remember, the Buckeyes hung with LSU week one; it can fight with the best.

This meet could be a 10.0- or 9.975-palooza. Sierra Brooks scored a floor 10.0 and two 9.975s in her record-breaking all-around performance last week. Freshman Courtney McCann (beam) was also near-perfect in her collegiate debut, and Ella Hodges (floor) has been knocking on the door. This one should be thrilling gymnastics top to bottom.

Additional notes about the predictions: Michigan’s week two recovery makes it a stronger favorite to win this meet, increasing its win percentage from 66% to 78%. However, if it goes sub-49 on either vault or beam like it did in week one, this meet becomes a 50/50 matchup.

Oklahoma, Stanford, and UCLA at Denver

Sunday, Jan. 21 at 4 p.m. ET | Paid Live Stream

Prediction: 92.82% Oklahoma, 5.49% UCLA, 1.50% Denver, 0.19% Stanford

This quad meet is made up of two Big 12 teams and two Pac-12 that will be looking to build on mostly successful starts to the season. No. 1 Oklahoma has dominated the first two weeks, like many expected, and that will likely continue in its third quad meet in a row. Faith Torrez and Audrey Davis are ranked in the top 10 in the all-around, with Davis coming close to perfection on bars yet again. Jessica Hutchinson and Rylie Mundell picked up where they left off last season for No. 10 Denver and former five-star recruit Madison Ulrich has made waves with her all-around performances. If she’s on, her scores can rival anyone else in the competition.

No. 11 UCLA is right on Denver’s heels, coming in half a tenth behind; if Oklahoma dominates as expected, second place will be a tight battle. Selena Harris will likely challenge for the all-around title here as well after a dominating 39.650 at the Collegiate Quad last weekend, while No. 53 Stanford is coming in uncharacteristically low ranked after it only put up five competitors on vault and bars. Chloe Widner and Claire Dean were bright spots for the team, scoring 9.900 plus on beam. Stanford’s beam team is ranked No. 2 nationally, with Oklahoma No. 1 and Denver No. 4. If the Cardinal can put up six routines on vault and bars and repeat its beam performance from last weekend at Michigan, this could be closer than many might think.

Additional notes about the predictions: The Sooners remain hard to beat in any scenario. UCLA has the best shot of the three competitors, but even posting the highest scores on both bars and beam (UCLA’s weaker events this season) only brings its win percentage up to 20%.

Upset Alert

N.C. State at North Carolina

Friday, Jan. 19 at 7:30 p.m. ET | ACCNx

Prediction: 57.44% N.C. State, 42.56% North Carolina

For the first ACC dual meet of the year, North Carolina and N.C. State both have something to prove after seeing the opening meet score from Clemson last week. Neither team has recorded a score that they’ll want to keep when NQS starts, and the clock is ticking to start getting potential counting scores. North Carolina relied on strong bars scores to carry the team last season, so the Tar Heels will be looking to break 49 there. N.C. State was finding landings on vault last week and will look to continue that momentum on the other events.

Additional notes about the predictions: If North Carolina can win on either beam or floor, its win probability shoots up to 70% or 64%, respectively. N.C. State’s stars Emily Shepard and Chloe Negrete will have the biggest impact on this meet. If either of the two have an off day, N.C. State’s win percentage decreases to only 33%.

Illinois at Nebraska

Saturday, Jan. 20 at 7:30 p.m. ET | BTN+

Prediction: 58.25% Illinois, 41.75% Nebraska

This meet is set to be an extremely close Big Ten matchup. Both teams fielded fairly normal lineups last week after some strange decisions during week one. No. 22 Illinois is marginally favored to win this meet, but it is far from a done deal. A lot of its success will rely on leg events, particularly with Ruthuja Nataraj on vault and Abby Muller and Amelia Knight on floor. 

For No. 26 Nebraska, Sophia McClelland is officially back, while Lucy Stanhope has been injured. Lineups will shift to accommodate this, but Nebraska will be looking to put up another solid performance as Big Ten in-conference play kicks off. Nebraska is just 0.163 behind Illinois in the standings, and if it performs to the best of its ability, particularly on bars, it can absolutely pull off the upset.

Additional notes about the predictions: Nebraska’s win percentage shoots up to 71% if it can score higher on bars. WIth McClelland in the all-around, Nebraska’s chances rise to 45%.

Wondering how we came up with the predictions for each meet? Read more about our methodology.

There’s Other Stuff Happening Too

We’d be remiss to let a preview for week three go by without bringing up these additional points.

• The SEC slate is highlighted by a few high ranking duals, as No. 3 Alabama hosts No. 4 Arkansas and No. 6 Kentucky travels to No. 8 LSU. The Razorbacks and Crimson Tide will battle to see who’s off to the hotter start, while Wildcat Raena Worley and Tiger Haleigh Bryant could be a part of the fiercest all-around race of the weekend.
• After last weekend’s inaugural MLK Invitational was canceled due to weather, Fisk will be back to “host” another multi-team meet at the Tennessee Collegiate Classic with SEMO, Whitewater, Ball State, Northern Illinois, Lindenwood, and Kent State. MAC challengers Ball State and Kent State open as favorites, with a 58% and 38% chance to win, respectively.
• No. 2 California will put its best-ever ranking to the test as it travels to Washington for a road dual. The Huskies are better than their No. 31 standing would suggest and would love an upset win to get on track this season and build some momentum. It will also be a test to see if Mya Lauzon and eMjae Frazier are capable of putting up mega numbers in consecutive weekends.
• Brown head coach Brittany Harris takes her squad to her alama mater, Oregon State. Beaver Jade Carey has only competed two events each meet this year in her limited capacity, but with a home meet on the books, you have to wonder whether she may add an additional event or two this time out.

Fantasy Corner

If you’re playing fantasy gymnastics this year, you want to do the absolute best you can do. Right? We have you covered with tips and tricks all season long in Fantasy Central. Managing editor Emily Minehart and data editor Dara Tan, will be bringing you the latest updates on injuries, scoring statistics, sneaky waiver wire targets, and more.

CGN Pick’em

Brandis (Last Week: 4-1; Overall: 6-4)

• Florida at Auburn: Florida
• N.C. State at North Carolina: N.C. State
• Illinois at Nebraska: Nebraska
• Denver quad: Oklahoma
• Michigan at Ohio State: Ohio State

Claire (Last Week: 4-1; Overall: 7-3)

• Florida at Auburn: Florida
• N.C. State at North Carolina: N.C. State
• Illinois at Nebraska: Nebraska
• Denver quad: Oklahoma
• Michigan at Ohio State: Ohio State

Elizabeth (Last Week: 5-0; Overall: 8-2)

• Florida at Auburn: Florida
• N.C. State at North Carolina: N.C. State
• Illinois at Nebraska: Nebraska
• Denver quad: Oklahoma
• Michigan at Ohio State: Michigan

Emily M (Last Week: 3-2; Overall: 7-3)

• Florida at Auburn: Florida
• N.C. State at North Carolina: N.C. State
• Illinois at Nebraska: Illinois
• Denver quad: Oklahoma
• Michigan at Ohio State: Michigan

Rebecca (Last Week: 4-1; Overall: 6-4)

• Florida at Auburn: Florida
• N.C. State at North Carolina: N.C. State
• Illinois at Nebraska: Illinois
• Denver quad: Oklahoma
• Michigan at Ohio State: Ohio State

Week 3 Guest: Alyssa

• Florida at Auburn: Auburn
• N.C. State at North Carolina: N.C. State
• Illinois at Nebraska: Illinois
• Denver quad: Oklahoma
• Michigan at Ohio State: Michigan

Want to join in on the predictions? Tag us on social media with your picks then tune into the meets to see how well you do!

How to Watch

Looking for more info on how to watch your favorite gymnasts and teams in action? Head to our master schedule for all the scoring, video, and live blog links, or head to our annual “How to Watch” article to see what platforms you have access to with various streaming services.

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