Michigan at Oklahoma

Recap

The Big Storyline: No. 1 at No. 2, the big kahuna; this one lived up to the hype. Michigan gave away tenths on vault hops and left some on the table after Jacey Vore’s bars empty swing and Reyna Guggino’s beam fall. Overall it was a good meet for Michigan; both major mistakes were uncharacteristic. The Sooners were the stronger team on the day, showing an especially exquisite bars rotation. Oklahoma’s seniors are officially undefeated in the Lloyd Noble Center. 

Implications: On a day of spectacular gymnastics across the NCAA, Michigan’s 197.900 isn’t enough to hold onto the top spot in the country for the first week all season. It will drop to No. 3 after both Florida (now No. 2) and Oklahoma (now No. 1) step ahead in the rankings.

Records: The Sooners’ total was their second-best all time, and their 49.825 on bars is a program record.

Controversies: As is the wont with a big headline meet like this, scores were heavily questioned online. Some of the Sooners’ scores were a touch high, but overall they were within the realm of reason and comparable to home scoring across the NCAA this year.

Preview

Current Rankings: No. 1 Michigan at No. 2 Oklahoma

Why You Should Cancel Plans for It: No. 1 at No. 2! What a regular season treat. This meet could be a preview of the fight for the national title in April. Michigan is going to be looking to bounce back from an off day at Nebraska and own a statement win. For the Sooners, the meet is an opportunity to go up against the best and prove they’re on track for nationals.

What We’re Watching: It will be interesting to see how Bev Plocki handles lineups here. She presumably won’t rest any gymnasts, but Jacey Vore may have done enough to break into the ideal postseason six on beam, meaning one of the previous six would lose a spot. Keep your eye on that lineup; it is Michigan’s weakest event and the Sooners’ best, so Oklahoma’s key to the meet lies there. This has the potential to become a 10-fest, with Allie Stern (vault), Carly Woodard (beam), Ragan Smith (beam), Abby Heiskell (vault), Natalie Wojcik (vault), Sierra Brooks (vault), Gabby Wilson (floor) and Reyna Guggino (vault) all with 10.0s so far this year—not to mention a smattering of 9.975s across both teams.

What Else You Should Know Before Tuning In: Oklahoma has only lost to Michigan in head-to-head play once, in the national final last year. The Sooners have never lost a dual to Michigan. The series history is not without drama; Olivia Karas was accused of intentionally yelling loudly while Oklahoma was on beam in Ann Arbor in 2019, and in the 2017 matchup at Michigan the Sooners won on a controversial walk-off beam 10.0 by Chayse Capps. This should be juicy.