Don't miss it: 10 intriguing match-ups you won't want to miss this collegiate season

In every collegiate season there are key head-to-head match-ups that wrestling fans anxiously await. They circle dates on calendars, breakdown the matches months in advance, and make travel arrangements to see these great match-ups.

Two seasons ago, it was Jesse Jantzen vs. Zack Esposito and Troy Letters vs. Tyrone Lewis. Last season, it was the continuation of two great rivalries -- Ryan Bertin vs. Alex Tirapelle and Chris Pendleton vs. Ben Askren.

So with the season just upon us -- let's take a look at the top-10 match-ups you won't want to miss (from 10 to 1).

10. Nick Simmons (Michigan State) vs. Kyle Ott (Illinois)

Why it's intriguing: These two Big Ten foes are two of the top-four 125-pounders in the nation -- with the other two being NCAA champion Joe Dubuque of Indiana and third-place finisher Sam Hazewinkel of Oklahoma. Simmons and Ott split two matches last season. However, Ott won the all important one, in overtime, in the NCAA semifinals.

Kyle Ott of Illinois and Nick Simmons of Michigan State split two matches season. Ott, however, won the most important one -- in the NCAA semifinals.

Where they could meet before the postseason: While there is a chance they could meet at the All-Star match on Nov. 21 -- it's unlikely unless Dubuque and/or Hazewinkel decline the invitation. Both Michigan State and Illinois will be at the Midlands on Dec. 29-30 -- so there is certainly a possibly that Simmons and Ott could meet there. On Feb. 12, Michigan State heads to Champaign to wrestle the Illini, where Simmons and Ott will wrestle an important match to determine seeds for the Big Ten Championships.

9. Steve Mocco (Oklahoma State) vs. Matt Fields (Iowa)

Why it's intriguing: When Mocco transferred from Iowa to Oklahoma State -- he went from savior to betrayer, literally overnight in the Hawkeye State. His transfer to Oklahoma State ruffled the feathers of a lot of his now ex-teammates. But not Fields. When Fields signed with Iowa, many questioned why he would choose a school where he wouldn't be assured a spot in the lineup for at least two years. His response was, "I'm going to have to beat him anyway, so it's not much of an issue." Last season, as a true freshman, Fields wrestled Mocco three times -- and was shutout all three times (5-0, 4-0, and 4-0). But word out of Iowa City is that Fields believes that he can beat Mocco this season.

Where they could meet before the postseason: On Jan. 7, Oklahoma State comes to Iowa, which will be Mocco's first appearance at Carver Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City since his transfer to Oklahoma State. The only other potential meeting place between these two could be Jan. 14-15 at the National Duals in Cedar Falls, Iowa.

8. Pacifico Garcia (San Francisco State) vs. Jason Rhoten (Minnesota State-Mankato)

These two wrestlers are arguably among the top-five in all of Division II -- and ironically, the two combined for exactly one state title. They have risen to the top of Division II wrestling through hard work, dedication, and late blooming. Now, both wrestlers could find a place in many Division I lineups across the country (Rhoten defeated Division I All-American Nate Gallick of Iowa State during the 2003-04 season). Garcia and Rhoten met last year in the NCAA finals at 141 -- with Garcia winning a tight 2-1 decision -- on a clasping call.

Where they could meet before the postseason: Unfortunately, these two will not see each other before the NCAA Tournament.

7. Jake Rosholt (Oklahoma State) vs. B.J. Padden (Nebraska)

Why it's intriguing: Even though Rosholt is a two-time NCAA champion, and Padden has yet to finish higher than fifth at the NCAA Tournament, these two Big 12 rivals had some epic battles last season. In their first meeting, on Nov. 20 at the Kaufman-Brand Open in Omaha, Rosholt pinned Padden. They met again on Feb. 12 in a dual in Lincoln, where Rosholt won a close 3-2 decision. But less than a month later, Padden came back to soundly defeat Rosholt, 6-2, to claim the Big 12 title. The two then met for a fourth time last season, in the semifinals of the NCAA Tournament, which Rosholt won narrowly, 10-9.

Jake Rosholt of Oklahoma State and B.J. Padden of Nebraska met four times last season.

Where they could meet before the postseason: While both teams are scheduled to compete at the Kaufman-Brand Open again on Nov. 19, it's unlikely they will wrestle each other there … especially since the All-Star match will take place two days later, and they could potentially meet up there. Both Oklahoma State and Nebraska will be at the National Duals on Jan. 14-15, so a match-up there is a possibility. On Feb. 3, Nebraska heads to Stillwater to wrestle the Cowboys, where Rosholt will meet Padden, which, like Ott vs. Simmons, will likely be a huge match in determining seeds for the conference tournament.

6. Shawn Bunch (Edinboro) vs. Mack Reiter (Minnesota)

Why it's intriguing: Bunch and Reiter met twice last season -- with Bunch winning both meetings by two points. Their first match-up, which Bunch won 7-5, took place in the semifinals of the Southern Scuffle. The two met again in a thrilling NCAA semifinal match in which Bunch had to hold on for a 6-4 victory. It's a match-up of contrasting styles. Bunch is quicker and better on his feet, whereas, Reiter is a better conditioned, stronger mat wrestler.

Where they could meet before the postseason: If Tom Clum of Wisconsin opts out, the two could meet at the All-Star match on November 21. Otherwise, there is a good chance we could see another Bunch-Reiter match at the Southern Scuffle on Dec. 29-30 -- as both Edinboro and Minnesota will be in Greensboro.

5. Steve Mocco (Oklahoma State) vs. Cole Konrad (Minnesota)

Steve Mocco of Oklahoma State defeated Cole Konrad of Minnesota three times last collegiate season -- all in overtime.

Why it's intriguing: Mocco and Konrad, because of their impressive credentials, stand above all in the heavyweight division. They met three times last season, and all three matches were won by Mocco in overtime. Ironically, the two met again at the World Team Trials last June in Ames, Iowa, where Mocco won another very tight match (1-0, 0-1, 1-0). Despite the fact that the two are about as evenly matched as possible, Mocco has found a way to win every meeting.

Where they could meet before the postseason: Last season, the two met in the All-Star match -- so don't be surprised to see it happen again on Nov. 21 in Oklahoma City. Both teams, Oklahoma State and Minnesota, will be at the National Duals in Cedar Falls, Iowa on Jan. 14-15, so they could potentially meet there. And then on February 12, Minnesota travels to Stillwater for a dual.

4. Nate Gallick (Iowa State) vs. Teyon Ware (Oklahoma)

Nate Gallick of Iowa State and Teyon Ware of Oklahoma have met five times in the past two seasons.

Why it's intriguing: Their Big 12 rivalry goes back two years to the 2003-04 season -- when both were sophomores. That season, Gallick defeated Ware in the semifinals of the Big 12 Championships, in overtime, and again two weeks later at the NCAA Tournament for fifth place. Last season, Gallick defeated Ware by a score of 6-3 in a January dual in Ames, and again in the Big 12 finals, in overtime. But in the finals of the NCAA Tournament last March, Ware defeated Gallick when it counted, and claimed his second NCAA title.

Where they could meet before the postseason: They potentially could meet in the All-Star match on Nov. 21 in Oklahoma City, since they are the top two wrestlers at 141, but the lineup still hasn't been set. Ware wrestled in the All-Star match last season, where he defeated Cory Cooperman of Lehigh. Ware and Gallick could potentially meet up twice in January -- at the National Duals and again in a dual on Jan. 28 in Norman.

3. Troy Letters (Lehigh) vs. Johny Hendricks (Oklahoma State)

Why it's intriguing: Both Letters and Hendricks are national champions (Letters in 2004, Hendricks in 2005). The two faced off against one another twice last season, with Letters coming away victorious in both matches. Letters first defeated Hendricks at the National Duals (4-3) and again in a February dual (5-2). Both wrestlers possess a rare combination of strength and quickness.

Where they could meet before the postseason: The two could potentially meet twice in a two-week span at the beginning of the season (late November-early December) -- at the All-Star match on Nov. 21 and again in a dual in Stillwater on Dec. 2. Aside from those two early potential meetings, Letters and Hendricks will not see each other during the regular season.

2. Mark Perry (Iowa) vs. Ben Askren (Missouri)

Why it's intriguing: Perry and Askren have some striking similarities. They are both unorthodox wrestlers who love to scramble. They both exude a confidence in their abilities that sometimes gets mistaken for arrogance. Both were NCAA runners-up last March (Perry at 165, Askren at 174) -- and because of that -- both wrestlers view last season as a failure. Expect to see a lot of funk in this match-up. Potentially a lot of scoring, too.

Where they could meet before the postseason: Chances are very good that Perry and Askren will face off on Nov. 21 at the All-Star match in Oklahoma City -- as both enter the season as the top two wrestlers. Aside from that early season match, their only other potential meeting before the NCAA Tournament could take place at the National Duals on Jan. 14-15 in Cedar Falls, Iowa.

1. Darrell Vasquez (Cal-Poly) vs. Nathan Morgan (Oklahoma State)

Why it's intriguing: Vasquez and Morgan were high school teammates at Bakersfield High in California. Vasquez, who is two years older than Morgan, became the first four-time state high school champion ever in the state of California. Morgan, who graduated in 2004, became only the fourth wrestler in California history to become a four-time state finalist -- winning it his last three years and finishing second his freshman year. They are, without question, two of the best wrestlers ever to come out of California -- right alongside 2004 Olympians Stephen Abas and Eric Guerrero. Vasquez was a 2004 All-American, but missed last season because of an illness. Morgan wrestled in the Oklahoma State lineup as a true freshman and was very impressive.

Where they could meet before the postseason: On Jan. 20, Cal-Poly heads to Stillwater to wrestle Oklahoma State -- and you can bet that The Golden State wrestling community will be tuned in to this match. Of course, most California wrestling fans hope to see Vasquez and Morgan wrestling for all the marbles in the 133-pound NCAA finals in Oklahoma City.

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Don't miss it: 10 intriguing match-ups you won't want to miss this collegiate season

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