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Between Ironman, Hall of Fame Duals, a couple Husker duals, and Blair-Sem-Delbarton, I’ve spent about 10 days at home in the last 40. For the first time in quite a while, I can sit back, relax, and get totally immersed in college wrestling this week. And it’s a robust slate. Let’s get into it… 5. It’s Conference Time From here on out, the majority of the college schedule is in-conference competition. With those matches being critical for seeding at qualifiers coupled with the low match counts for dozens of prominent contenders, I’m hoping it results in a drastic reduction of ‘ducking’ and/or high-profile matchups not materializing. 4. How Good is 2024 Michael DeAugustino? Two years ago, then at Northwestern, DeAugustino posted a terrific season that culminated in a 4th place finish at NCAA’s. But he’s been oft-injured and quite an enigma since. He was just 9-9 last year with highs (a win over Matt Ramos) and lows (a loss to Blake West). To start the year, he defaulted out of CKLV and stands at just 6-1 on the year. Well here’s a big spot for him. This weekend he gets #14 Braeden Davis (PSU) and #13 Dean Peterson (RU). If he gets through both, he’s once again a player in March and in a weight that’s totally up for grabs. 3. And More 125 In this topsy-turvy world of 125, Drake Ayala is the new #1 in the country. On Friday, he’ll face #2-Matt Ramos as the Hawks dual Purdue. 2. My (Other) Favorite Head-to-Heads #1 Ryan Crookham (LEH) vs. #10 Michael Colaiocco (PENN) No Previous Meetings #6 Dylan Ragusin (MICH) vs. #8 Dylan Shawver (RU) Ragusin won 4-1 a couple weeks ago at Midlands. #3 Peyton Robb (NEB) vs. #10 Michael Blockhus (MINN) Blockhus is fresh off a 5-4 win over #2-Jared Franek, who beat Robb last week. #9 Mitch Mesenbrink (PSU) vs. #10 Caleb Fish (MSU) Fish is coming off a win over #7 Cam Amine, who Mesenbrink wrestles Friday. #2 Dustin Plott (OKST) vs. #4 Trey Munoz (ORST) No Previous Meetings #3 Lenny Pinto (NEB) vs. #10 Isaiah Salazar (MINN) Salazar won 7-6 in last year’s dual. #5 Cohlton Schultz (ASU) vs. #12 Dayton Pitzer (Pitt) Pitzer won 4-0 over Schultz at Midlands last season. 1. Almost All of PSU-Michigan Penn State is #1, Michigan #5. And on an individual level, there are so many good matchups and questions to be answered. Let’s start with PSU’s freshmen, which are all undefeated. Braeden Davis takes on veteran #5 Michael DeAugustino. Ty Kasak takes on super senior #6 Austin Gomez. Mitch Mesenbrink will face perennial All-American Cam Amine. 133 is a #4 vs. #6 matchup between Nagao and Ragusin.174 pits two NCAA Champions: Carter Starocci and Shane Griffith. And 285 has #1 Kerkvliet vs. #4 Davidson. That’s it for me this week. It’s going to be a fun one. And I get to watch every second of it from my own couch. Also - don’t forget to tune in to one of the best atmospheres in wrestling as Buchanan hosts Clovis tonight live on MatScouts.