#8 VT vs. unranked Stanford - Both squads have 4 ranked wrestlers but none of them face each other so that is why this dual is going to be close.

125: Unranked (UR) Kyle Norstrem takes over this year from four great years by Joey Dance. No longer able to just assume 3+ points at 125 for VT. Looks like Connor Schram is back down to 125 this year per Stanford wrestling website. He is ranked #11 by Flo at 133 so whether it is Schram or Gabe Townsell (#12 at 125 lbs by Flo), I see a tight loss by K. Norstrem.

Stanford up 3-0.

133: UR Dennis Gustafson back for his senior yeat at VT and looking for some improvement. I see a tight loss by Gus against either Schram or Townsell but this is one match that could go to VT. I will stick with Stanford here.

Stanford up 6-0.

141: UR Brent Moore takes over 141 this year from Ryan/Kevin Norstrem and this weight class should have better luck in duals this year. Until Norstrem wrestled last year for VT, we were just hoping for no bonus points given up and sometimes hoping for no pin. Not sure if it is Locsin (8-10 last year) or Kier (redshirted last year but was 18-6 his 1st two years) for Stanford at this weight. Taking a flyer here that Moore wins because I don't see VT down 9-0.

Stanford still up 6-3.

149: Two-time AA Solomon Chishko (ranked #4 by Flo) back for VT. UR Walker Dempsey looks like the likely opponent. Finished 5th in Pac 12 tournament last year. Sully wins this maybe by MD.

Hokies up 7-6.

157: Spot starter last year UR Ryan Blees takes over full time this year. Opponent is returning AA #13 ranked Paul Fox. Going with Stanford here in a close one.

Stanford up 9-7.

165: 2016 AA #8 ranked David McFadden back in the lineup for VT. UR Nainoa Calvo is the probably opponent for McFadden. Looking for a MD here for McFadden.

VT 10-9

174: Either true frosh Hunter Bolen or So-R Cody Hughes for VT at 174. NCAA participant Keaton Subject goes for Stanford here and was 22-9 last year. Stanford wins here.

Stanford up 12-10

184: #5 ranked Zack Zavatsky back for VT this year. Opponent should be UR Austin Flores, 4-3 last year. ZZ by MD.

VT up 14-12

197: Returning 2-time AA #2 ranked Jared Haught for VT against unknown Stanford opponent (they have a couple that could go). JH by MD.

VT up 18-12

285: UR Andrew Dunn takes over for Ty Walz so like 125, can't just plug in 3+ points every dual. #14 ranked Nathan Butler will probably get it done for Stanford and I will go with the MD

Final: VT 18-16

Summary:
I might be slightly negative (could see 1 more match won by VT) but I have it 5-5 in match wins.
VT solid at 149, 165, 184, and 197.
Stanford solid at 125, 157, 174, and 285.
Leans/tossups at 133 and 141.



[Post edited by hokietony at 11/01/2017 1:47PM]