What a way to go out!  The NWCA Bowl Series’ top match up is going down today in Happy Valley.  Top-ranked juggernaut PSU will play host to the Cowboys of Oklahoma State. These two teams collided at the Southern Scuffle this year, but there were not many head to head meetings between the two teams.

125 - #4 Nico Megaludis, PSU vs # 8 Eddie Klimara, Oklahoma State

I mentioned there weren’t too many head to head meetings at the Scuffle, but these two did hit.  It was a win for Nico in typical Nico fashion.  He scored off a mind-melting counter where he was in full splits, got to Eddie’s leg, and finished the shot.  The problems Nico presented then are still present now.  Eddie has had a fantastically consistent season so far.  Look for Nico to win by a comfortable decision once more.  I see him getting a takedown or two and doing his job on the mat.  As of right now there’s only a handful of guys at 125 I think have a chance at taking Nico down even once.  Eddie isn’t one of them at this point.  It's been 3 decisions for Nico in their history, let's stick with that. Nico WBD.

PSU: 3
OSU: 0

133 - #5 Jordan Conaway, PSU vs #18 Gary Wayne Harding, Oklahoma State

No history here between the two, but I think you should be looking forward to this one.  Conaway essentially only loses to the elite, having lost to only Zane Richards, Nahshon Garrett and teammate Jered Cortez.  Harding has found a lot more consistently lately compared to the beginning of the year and is winning the matches he should.  Watching Gary Wayne 2 nights ago against UNC, I was concerned how easily he was giving his legs up against an unranked opponent.  This could spell disaster against Conaway who takes a lot of attacks and will be a much higher percentage finisher.  Additionally, don’t be surprised if Harding was able to sneak a takedown amidst all the action.  Ultimately, I like Conaway by a very comfortable decision.  I won’t rule out the major either.  It will be right on the borderline between a 6 and 9 point win in my opinion. Conaway WBD

PSU: 6
OSU: 0

141 - Jimmy Gulibon, PSU vs #1 Dean Heil, Oklahoma State

Heil coming off a loss makes this a little more interesting.  Also we cannot discount the fact that Penn State could use Kade Moss who defeated Heil and took him to overtime a year ago.  Jimmy has struggled this year, there are no two ways about it.  The issue for Gulibon has been similar all year.  He can get to legs, but struggles to finish.  Whether it’s size, mental or something else, it simply isn’t happening.  Enter Dean Heil, who has only given up a handful (2 or 3) of takedowns all year.  In his match Friday where Heil was defeated by Joey Ward, Ward was able to scramble toe to toe with Dean.  Jimmy won’t be able to do that.  This one smells like another lopsided decision.  If PSU uses Moss I’d expect it to be much tighter. Heil WBD.

PSU: 6
OSU: 3

149 - #1 Zain Retherford, PSU vs #20 Anthony Collica, Oklahoma State

Right on cue, Collica seems to be putting it all together.  On Friday, Collica pinned 2-time All American Evan Henderson. I’ve been piping up Collica all season long as a potential HIGH AA threat.  I was enamored with his Freestyle success this Spring and the proposition of being able to compete at his ideal weight class.  Last time these two hit, it was  a 2-0 win for Zain Retherford down at 141.  Since then, Zain has transformed into a bonus point factory, mass producing dominance with nearly every outing.  On their feet, Zain will have an advantage, but it won’t be significant.  Collica has the goods on his feet and could potentially get to legs.  The problem is Zain (who has hardly been taken down this year) is ridiculous defensively.  Provided Collica can endure the 7 minute onslaught (that’s a big IF for many guys) coming from Zain, I don’t know if Zain blows this completely out of the water into a tech or fall.  My question is how will Collica score?  I don’t think he can take him down, and I am next to positive he won’t turn him.  So give me Zain on a few clean leg attacks, go behinds and a turn.  He opens this up to a major.  

PSU: 10
OSU: 3

157 - #1 Jason Nolf, PSU vs #5 Joe Smith, Oklahoma State

Far from positive whether we’ll see this match go down.  Joe has missed the last few outings for the Cowboys.  Obviously the wrestling world is hoping he’ll be back.  If he returns, I look for a more lopsided victory for Nolf this time.  Coming off of an injury against Nolf at home is not ideal.  Since their Scuffle meeting, Nolf has improved and impressed at a (scarily) higher level.  Joe’s ability to hand fight with Nolf gives him a real advantage.  I just see Nolf forcing a few more positions and scrambles this time. Those will go Jason’s way 9 times out of 10, even against Smith.  Nolf essentially won by a td last time around before Joe took a desperation shot as time expired.  I’d pick Nolf to win by 5 or more this time around.  Since there’s a high probability we will not see Joe (though we should all collectively cross our fingers), OSU will be using Ryan Blees.  Blees will struggle with Nolf here and I believe Jason will be able to win by bonus.  Tech fall potential in that one.  We’ll operate under the assumption Joe will get the nod. Nolf WBD.

PSU: 13
OSU: 3
We all remember their Scuffle Final, so let's take it back to their Freestyle meeting this Spring:

165 - Geno Morelli, PSU vs #1 Alex Dieringer, Oklahoma State

It sounds like Morelli will be the guy for this one as Rasheed is apparently wrestling in a tournament elsewhere.  Even if Rasheed was in Happy Valley, I’d probably be inclined to use Morelli.  Rasheed may be a bigger point scoring threat against lesser competition (which, in this case is the rest of the country). But if you want to slow down a big dog, Morelli is the guy for the job.  He’s taken on #2 Isaac Jordan and #3 Bo Jordan.  Against Isaac he was a few seconds away from the win before Zeke scored the last second 2.  Bo needed a late TD to beat Morelli by 1. While Morelli won’t be able to score on Dieringer (who can?), I think he can stay in there and hold position better than most.  In no way am I predicting a competitive match, but sometimes in duals, losing by decision can be a subtle victory.  Morelli will do his job against Ringer here and keep it close enough.  Then again there’s always the possibility Alex gets to an underhook and horses him over for the fall, he does that too from time to time.  That said, give me Ringer WBD.

PSU: 13
OSU: 6

174 - #1 Bo Nickal, PSU vs Chandler Rogers, Oklahoma State

Rogers being ‘unranked’ is very disingenuous, he’d certainly be ranked if he were the confirmed starter for the Cowboys.  Right now we still have Crutchmer ranked.  Rogers has become must-watch each time he takes the mat.  Forget strategy, the kid just goes out there looking to score.  Upper-body, leg attacks, scrambles, there aren’t many areas where he’s uncomfortable.  Enter Bo Nickal, the top ranked Freshman also meets many of those descriptions.  Bo Nickal is a bigger and more athletic version of Chandler Rogers.  Chandler’s upper body skills may be his only shot against Bo, but they could also be his undoing.  Bo’s comfort level up top, combined with his leverage advantage will make this a dicey proposition for Chandler.  Also, I’ve watched a number of high level guys wilt late and surrender big points at the end of matches against Bo.  Chandler is known to be able to go hard for 7 minutes, but against Nickal, he could test that. I’m playing it safe and saying Bo by a lopsided decision, but honestly the safe money is probably on a fall, and a fall from Bo. I’ll give Rogers a little more respect than that, Bo WBD.

PSU: 16
OSU: 6
Watch Chandler take out #2 Ethan Ramos with some big throws here:

184 - #3 Matt McCutcheon, PSU vs #12 Nolan Boyd, Oklahoma State

Dang, back to back weeks I’m tempted to go against my “Pick em” selection from FRL.  I had Matt to win here, but I’m honestly going against all available information by doing that.  Boyd is 2-0 against McCutcheon last year.  As I predicted this one, I said Boyd would give up his legs too much against Matt, especially low ankle.  While I still feel this is possible, my confidence is waning. Boyd has been red-hot having handled Willie Miklus and taken out #1 Gabe Dean.  A win here could catapult Boyd into the top 5. If I had done my research before “pick ems” this week, I would have probably made fun of Willie for picking Matt despite being 0-2 against Boyd.  That missed opportunity is my one true regret in all of this.  Give me Boyd.  OSU needs this one badly, Boyd is hot and the match up has been favorable.  Boyd WBD.

PSU: 16
OSU: 9

197 - #1 Morgan McIntosh, PSU vs Preston Weigel/Andrew Marsden, Oklahoma State

Just like Morelli is the guy to go with for PSU at 165, for the same reason, I’d go with Weigel for Oklahoma State.  Marsden has some huge moves in his arsenal, but when facing McIntosh, those are rendered relatively useless. McIntosh has been quietly tearing people apart on a weekly basis. Each year he’s shown real improvement and it’s all culminating into a dominant Senior season.  Against either of these guys he’s a huge favorite.  I’d imagine anything short of a bonus point win of some kind will be viewed as a disappointment.  McIntosh will get to his low ankle attacks and have little trouble finishing.  Whoever is out there will likely only escape when McIntosh decides he’s ok with that.  Give me Morgan my major decision as he locks up the dual for PSU.

PSU: 20
OSU: 9

285 - Jan Johnson/Wes Phipps, PSU vs #5 Austin Marsden, Oklahoma State

With Nick Nevills away at a tournament getting some extra matches, that will likely thrust Jan Johnson or Wes Phipps into the lineup again.  Last time around Johnson was sent out against Kyle Snyder, this time an equally distressing proposition: Austin Marsden.  Marsden is a much larger heavyweight than Johnson is. I don’t think Marsden will be able to be stopped here.  He gets 6 to make the dual look a little closer than it actually was. Marsden winner by fall.
Final Score:
PSU: 20
OSU: 15