Recapping the Southern Scuffle

Photo Attribution: US Presswire

This is a guest post by Nick Isburgh (@nisburgh) on the Southern Scuffle dual in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

FloWrestling rank (coming into the dual)

Penn State – #1

Oklahoma State – #3

Minnesota – #4

Missouri – #7

Cornell – #8

Three thoughts from day one

1. As expected, there is a four-team race for 1st place. Current standings are:

Penn State: 102

Minnesota: 94

Oklahoma State: 89.5

Cornell: 84.5

2. Minnesota leads all teams with seven wrestlers in the semi-finals. Penn State and Oklahoma State both have six, and Cornell has five wrestlers in the semi-finals.

3. #1 Chris Perry vs #3 Logan Storley (Minnesota). Another match-up between wrestlers who did not see each other in the dual earlier this season, this finals match-up will certainly give the nation an idea of who is the real deal at 174 this season.

3. It looks as if Penn State and Oklahoma State are set for a dual tomorrow, but Minnesota might have a little something to say about that. With two wrestlers already out, (Eddie Klimara, 125, and Austin Schafer, 197) OSU is going to have to beat PSU to get to the finals, and the wrestlers in the consolations must come back and score bonus points in the wrestle-backs.

Three matches to look for on day two

1. #1 Jordan Oliver vs #7 Dylan Ness (Minnesota). In the first of several potential OSU vs MN match-ups, Oliver will face his toughest test since his move to 149 when he potentially meets Ness in the finals.

2. #3 Tyler Caldwell vs #2 David Taylor (Penn State). No pressure, but this match-up may be the sole difference between first (or even third) place for the Cowboys. With a win and a trip to the finals, Caldwell will put the Pokes in a great position to catch up to Penn State, who is set to have a solid semi-finals round.

3. #1 Chris Perry vs #3 Logan Storley (Minnesota). Another match-up between wrestlers who did not see each other in the dual earlier this season, this finals match-up will certainly give the nation an idea of who is the real deal at 174 this season.

Three things to watch for on day two

1. Mini NCAA’s – This tournament is not only the toughest tournament of the year, but pending a few unattached upsets, will determine who has the best chance at winning the national championship at the end of the year. Oklahoma State has a great chance to come in here and squeak out a victory and a #1 ranking.

2. Bonus Point Firepower – Much of winning, or at the very least, having a chance to win an NCAA championship is about bonus points, and OSU has the ability to match up with anyone in the nation when it comes to scoring bonus points. Getting to the finals and bonus points are the only two things that each wrestler must focus on to have a chance at challenging Penn State.

3. Numbers Don’t Lie – After a decently normal start to the season, none of the rankings are very surprising. OSU’s win against #4 Minnesota came with the Gophers missing four wrestlers. This tournament will surely determine who the winner of a rematch between the two teams would be, considering many weight classes figure for a MN vs. OSU rematch. Also, Penn State is a clear #1 on everyone’s mind, so for OSU to win would be a major upset and great for the team.

Predictions

1 – Penn State

2 – Oklahoma State

3 – Minnesota

4 – Cornell

5 – Missouri