David Taylor | Hype-train

[jackwebster]

What kinda NCAA performance does OSU need to maintain the idea that at some point in the near future  they will challenge PSU?

[boconnell]

I think they just need reasonable performance from their freshmen.  All future hype is built around those guys being joined by the next recruiting class (or two).

I would describe the biggest part of that freshman performance as Jax winning.  He's the center of everything that might happen in Stillwater.  If he loses (and especially if he loses to Blaze), then it's hard to see them beating PSU in the future.  After Jax, you probably need Lockett, Vega, and Robideau in the top 4-6.  And either Merrell or Ryder on the podium.  If they get that kind of performance out of the 6 freshmen in the lineup, then I think it's fair to start imagining what happens with Ross and the Rainey twins and others.

The most amazing thing is that having 6 amazing freshmen with a big class following them still leaves you in need of help to beat PSU.  That's how good they are.

[ChickenWing]

Ryder will be lucky to wrestle in two weeks. His shoulder is toast.

[boconnell]

22 minutes ago, ChickenWing said:

Ryder will be lucky to wrestle in two weeks. His shoulder is toast.

He's clearly hurt, but he wrestled and won a match an hour after the shoulder injury.  I doubt he does well, but I'd be shocked by him not wrestling.  

[OMW]

A lot of reasons to be excited with what DT is building in Stillwater.

Folks that follow the Hokies of Blacksburg VA should be as well!

Cael isn't going to hand anything to anyone - and although dynasties get built, they don't stay. 

[jackwebster]

56 minutes ago, boconnell said:

The most amazing thing is that having 6 amazing freshmen with a big class following them still leaves you in need of help to beat PSU.  That's how good they are.

Word. They have their own Forrest ... err, Forrests . . so, every year DT has to both convince a few literal world-beaters to give Stillwater a shot and buy new potential finalists to fill any weights without a world-beater. And, then, they have to actually win (but thats a problem for another day).

For any of this to happen in less than a decade, here's brass tacks for this year:

Forrest has to win.

And, I think they have to beat PSU head-to-head in another weight. If they only meet at 141 and HVY, they have to beat two.

And, they need the majority (all) of the freshmen to wrestler to seed.

And, they need a big upset somewhere.

Edited March 9 by jackwebster