This is how I see the potential matches...
125
Ventresca - VT over McCrone or Kilkeary
- Both should be decisions
133
Latona - VT over Bouzakis or Gonzales
- Both should be decisions, potentially wide ones
141
Mendez - tOSU over Mason or Church
- I am thinking Major for both
Cannon - tOSU TOSSUP Mason or Church
- Not enough info to predict this one. I would think with how Cannon wrestled this last weekend he would be favored.
149
Henson - VT TOSSUP D'Emilio
- Both of these guys looked really, really good this last weekend. Henson should be favored, but I think it's a tossup.
D'Emilio - tOSU over Crook
- Wide Decision/Major type match if this one happens
Henson/Crook - VT over Brown
- Henson likely gets bonus and Crook may push for it
157
Gallagher - tOSU over Andonian/Ulrey/Hipolito
- Gallagher looked phenomenal. Despite it being 'short notice' that he goes 157 this season, he looked phenomenal. I think he wins via Decision over either of these. With the new TD rules it could be a Major against any of them... especially if Andonian gets down because of a failed throw early
165
Wilcox over Ulrey/Hipolito?
- This weight class is going to be an interesting, and pivotal one for the dual. Neither's starter is healthy. Do they both go because they are the best option? Not sure. If Andonian doesn't go at 157 I could see them throwing out Hipolito or Ulrey at 157 and the other at 165. I think Wilcox wins a tight decision against either. If Andonian goes at 157 I expect it to be Ulrey.
174
Kharchla over Lewis
- I don't think we see Kharchla here, but if we do I think he wins. Styles make matches.
Lewis over Welsh
- This won't really be that close. Welsh is as ready as any Frosh at 174 this year, but Lewis is just too much for him, I think.
Kharchla/Welsh over Clark
- If we don't see Lewis it'll likely be Clark, I think. Not too sure, actually. I still have hopes it is Ulrey-Andonian-Brady-Lewis at 157-184 for VTech. That won't happen, though.
184
Hoffman/Shumate/Rogotzke over Fisher
- I think all get wide Decisions over Fisher. Not sold on Fisher yet and I think tOSU has a deep stable to pull from here.
197
Smith/Stewart over Geog/Shumate/Rogotzke
- I think whoever VTech puts out should or would be favored over whoever tOSU puts out here. Pretty sure Stewart is hurt, though.
285
Feldman over Catka
- I think Feldman starts to cement the fact that he is the best first year starter in NCAA D1 with this match. He looks bigger, but somehow less 'poofy' than last year... just carrying the weight in a more natural weight it seems. He is giving me hella Shortman Coon vibes... don't ask me why or how I just have a feeling in my berries. That means he is going to compete with everyone who isn't throwing old man strength at him right out the gate here (The only Michael McClure I see for him might be Cassioppi right now? That doesn't mean I am predicting him to beat Kerk or Hendrickson, I am just saying he is going to be ready for those matches.).
This is all going to come down to how creative VTech can get with their lineup in the middle to put out their best product. I think tOSU has more depth right now in the upper weights that they can afford injuries right now.
If both squads put out their best product it is going to be a barn burner. If one squad doesn't, then it could be something like a 25-12 victory for one or the other.
We could see a lineup like this...
125 - Ventresca - Kilkeary
133 - Latona - Bouzakis
141 - Church - Mendez
149 - Hensen - D'Emilio
157 - Ulrey - Gallagher
165 - Andonian - Hepner
174 - Brady - Welsh
184 - Lewis - Hoffman
197 - Smith - Geogg
285 - Catka - Feldman
Or this...
125 - Ventresca - McCrone
133 - Latona - Gonzalez
141 - Mason - Cannon
149 - Hensen - D'Emilio
157 - Andonian - Gallagher
165 - Brady - Wilcox
174 - Lewis - Chase
184 - Fisher - Hoffman
197 - Smith - Shumate
285 - Catcka - Boykin
Or... well I could keep going. I don't think either of those lineups will be what is put out, though. This is an early season dual and I think the coaches are looking to put on a showcase and want to put out their best possible lineups. Right now both sides have some dings and I don't know what to expect. I do know that one of those lineups I just posted makes me, as a fan, much more excited for the dual than the other.