Ohio State at Michigan 2/1

[CGriff]

Wrestlestat has it at 29-6 with Michigan winning 197 and 165. I think Michigan could win 157 too. Mendez and Lemley should finally face off but Lemley didn’t make the jump like I thought he would so far 

[nhs67]

There are a lot of matchups that COULD be competitive, but Ohio State is definitely the heavy favorite.

125

McCrone should be heavily favored over either of the Tanefeu twins.  Kilkeary, while I think a better wrestler, just hasn't put it together this year to earn the spot (even losing to McCrone.  McCrone has much better mat wrestling at this point in their careers, and that means more potential bonus points.  I think McCrone pulls a Tech, here.

tOSU 5, UofM 0

133

Bouzakis should business done here rather easily.  In fact, if there were a weekend to give him rest from the cut, it might be this weekend.  I believe Kilkeary would be able to handle Wertanen easily enough.  I am going to say Tech here as well.

tOSU 10, UofM 0

141

I know a lot of folks, myself included, have wanted to see Lemley-Mendez because of their styles of wrestling, but Mendez isn't just 'good' he is the best at this weight at doing what he does.  This is in Ann Arbor, but Mendez is just too good to not do what he does to Lemley.  Now, I know Lemley has been wrestling more defensive here, and styles do make matchups, but Mendez Majored Lehigh's Stanich 14-3 after Lemley lost to him in rideouts 3-2.  There are levels to this and there are at least a couple in between these two.  Mendez Tech.

tOSU 15, UofM 0

149

Gilcher has a wide open style, so when he loses big, it tends to be him opening up and the other wrestle capitalizing on it.  That is what D'Emilio did earlier this year at the Clarion Open.  Gilcher absolutely could keep it close, but D'Emilio's mat wrestling and discipline will likely earn him another Major.  I wouldn't be surprised to see Gavin Brown here, or someone else to give D'Emilio the weekend off, as well.  If Gavin Brown, it's a toss-up.  If Catrabone, he beats Brown via Pin, but loses to D'Emilio in the same manner.  Major or Tech.

tOSU 19, UofM 0

157

I want Sasso to win it all... to place highly would also be a moral victory.  I think we see either Herman or Cannon and I think Saldate wins a hard fought Decision.  I also think Saldate wins a Decision over Sasso right now.

tOSU 19, UofM 3

INTERMISSION

165

I think Mantanona will have trouble with Gallagher's grit, but I think he'll open it up with a couple of slick takedowns and win the takedown battle 2-1 or 3-1.  A solid win that is closer than the score might appear, and I think this match might be quite a bit different come B1Gs once both of these two settle in at the weights better.

tOSU 19, UofM 6

174

If it's Kharchla and Walker, I don't see this being close.  Kharchla will be pushing for a Major here and should be able to control where the match takes place.  I would love to see the younger Mantanona get the nod here and use his 5th appearance, just so we can see how he might do against an elite 174lber - even if extremely undersized.  Kharchla is right in that next tier of contenders and should place high this year.  tOSU Major if Walker or Mantanona.

tOSU 23, UofM 6

184

While I think Bullock might be a bit off right now, I still think he's the better wrestler against Rogotzke and is well capable of winning this via Decision.  I am going to give it to Bullock in the home match via Decision.

tOSU 23, UofM 9

197

I think Cardenas pulls out bonus here.  It's either Major or Tech against Shumate.  He's just to big, fast, and strong and it's a poor matchup for a Shumate who isn't a full-sized 197lber.

tOSU 23, UofM 14

285

Another match where the coaching staff could give their #1 guy the night off.  A Swenski-Heindselman match would likely be a snooze fest.  Heindselman beat him 15-3 last time, but Swenski likely keeps it close this time.  I think a Heindselman-Feldman match is a true toss-up, and the only one of the dual.  It went 8-5 at NCAAs last year in OT and I could see it going the same again.  That said, Heinsdelman via Decision over Swenski.

tOSU 23, UofM 17 FINAL

Edited yesterday at 01:21 PM by nhs67