[BuckWrestler141]

To be fair, i've only watched OSU wrestle Missouri. Missouri won by a good margin, but OSU did fight tough in each of thier matches. The Illini on the other hand i've been able to watch lot of, and even compete verse a few. So here is my breakdown of the dual

125 – #3 Kyle Ott (IL) vs Nathan Costello or Jermaine Jones

Neither Costello nor Jones have had much success and will have to battle to not get pinned. I’ll go with a Tech Fall for Ott. IL-5, OSU-0

133 - #26 Gabe Flores (IL) vs Reece Humphrey

Humphrey is having an excellent true freshman season; Gabe is just getting back into the swing of things. Humphrey may have a size advantage. This hits me as a toss up, so I’ll go with Humphrey so as not to look too biased. However, I would not be surprised by a victory by Flores. IL-5, OSU-3

141 - #26 Cassio Pero (IL) vs # 23 TJ Enright

Enright has had a reasonably good season. If Cassio is on his game he should win this one handily. Pero by DEC. IL-8, OSU-3

149 – Troy Tirapelle (IL) vs #12 J Jaggers

Tirapelle has had a good month. Jaggers has had a very strong season and is one of the few wrestlers to beat Gillespie. Jaggers is the odds on favorite. Jaggers by DEC. IL-8, OSU-6


157 -#1 Alex Tirapelle (IL) vs Steve Sommer

When I saw Sommer wrestle against Missouri he hit me as a very smart wrestler. He was good at making things happen and took advantages of his opponents mistake. Many of Alex’s matches have been close this year, and Sommer is not a good one to allow to hang around. Two years ago I would have predicted Alex by MAJ, now I’ll go with Tirapelle by DEC. IL-11, OSU-6


165 - #9 Michael Poeta (IL) vs Nathaniel Auguston or Charlie Clark

Poeta is too fast and skillful for either Auguston or Clark. Poeta by MAJ DEC. IL-15, OSU-6

174 - #10 Don Reynolds (IL) vs #20 Blake Maurer

Reynolds is having a solid season and seems to be getting more comfortable at 174 as the season progresses. Maurer has had a good freshman campaign, with some impressive win and some disappointing losses. Reynolds beat Maurer at Las Vegas 10-6. Look for Reynolds to win again by DEC (or possibly by a major). IL-18, OSU-6


184 - #3 Pete Friedl (IL) vs Alex Picazo

If Friedl is aggressive he should win big. If he stands around waiting for Picazo to push the action he may win by a few points. Friedl by MAJ DEC. IL-22, OSU-6


197 - #10 Tyrone Byrd (IL) vs Corey Morrison

Morrison has struggled, while Byrd has run up the score against some lower-tier opponents. Byrd by TECH FALL. IL-27, OSU-6


HWT - #22 Matt Weight (IL) vs #14 Kirk Nail

Weight has had a strong initial season at heavyweight and can keep it close with all but the best heavies. Nail has missed part of the season, but has been successful when he has competed. Nail is favored, but I would not be surprised to see an upset by Weight. If Nail is injured and doesn’t go, then Weight will win over Josh Bartholemew. Nail by DEC. IL-27, OSU-9

So IL-27, OSU-9. This one could get ugly as Illinois could gain more bonus points.