Well i finally found time to scratch some words out on a keyboard, so here gos. Sorry for the long pause, life's been busy of late, but lets break down the Hokies' And the Tigers' impending clash this saturday! The hokies find themselves in an unfamiliar position, looking to be the upstart underdog rather than the reigning champ. On paper Missouri appears to have a decided advantage, and the hokies will require excellent performance from the swing matches, particularly some of the freshmen in the lineup. A Tech victory would be a large upset, and given the way that Mizzou wrestlers have ridden over the last 18 months would be improbable. Tech will require outstanding effort across the lineup.

125: Kyle Norstrem vs. Barlow McGhee
This is an upset that the hokies probably have to have to stand a chance to win the match. Norstrem comes in riding high after a stellar performance against the Mocs and the Chips. Norstrem throughout the summer freestyle and short fall season has shown a reliable upper body game that could tilt this bout in his favor should he find himself with a 6 point move. To temper expectations here, freshmen at the college level have ups and downs (more about that at 141). As i'll reference throughout the year, the 3 biggest problems they usually have is 1. Urgency escaping from bottom, 2. Taking 1 escape rather than 2 reversal, 3. Urgency attacking first from neutral. Thus far this season, Norstrem has accomplished all 3 well and as a result, he's riding a swell of positive results. McGhee however is the grizzled 125 vet on his last go round. I often think McGhee has weight management problems early in the year (as evidenced by the close match he dropped last week) while rounding into shape and that is a positive for the hokies. Overall i expect a decision by McGhee.
Mizz 3 - VT 0

133: Dennis Gustafson vs. John Erneste
This is a must win for the hokies if the dual is going to go in their favor. Gus is stepping into the spotlight taking a silent leadership role for his last go round as a senior. He's working the the bulldog we saw when as a true freshmen he fought his way to the top of the ACC podium prior to a knee injury. Erneste on the other hand was buried under an embarrassment of riches last season at the lower weights from Missouri. Erneste essentially pinned his way through the parisi open, and like every missouri wrestler has a strong top game. Dennis is no slouch himself with a potent tilt he's perfected over the last 3 years. I see this as a match that comes down to who wants it more, and i'm not sure there's a hungrier wrestler on the VT squad than dennis. VT gets the decision here
VT 3 - Mizz 3

141: Brent Moore vs. Jaydin Eirman
This will be a ought one for the hokies as Eirman is a long predicted stud who seems to have come of age growing into 141 (he bounced between 133 and 141 last year). He's 9-0 with only a single match ending in decision. Every point will matter in this match and i feel that moore has the potential to go toe to toe with the sophomore. Moore is wrestling like a freshman, and thats to be expected. He's got oodles of talent and thats clear when he's on the mat, but he's working through the mental side of wrestling at this level. That results in ups and downs, and he's going to bounce back in a strong way (i've always been high on his ceiling). Moore's critical test will be escaping (or simply preventing exposure points) from the dangerous eirman. If Moore can score from neutral in the first period, it sets him up to avoid choosing to go under Jaydin. I have a feeling this result will raise some eyebrows, however to be conservative, i'll give Mizzou the decision here
Mizz 6 - VT 3

149: Solomon Chishko Vs. Grant Leeth
A must have for the hokies and match where Solomon Chishko can challenge himself to show more of what he's capable of. Chishko has thus far this season wrestled to the level of his competition clearly failing to separate himself. He seems to be relying heavily on his opponents pushing into him from ties, and in matches where opponents hang back, the result is a low scoring nail biter. Leeth, a former duke transfer is a middle of the road opponent, and is one of the few potential opportunities for hokie bonus points on paper (though no likely given he way he wrestled at the parisi open). Solomon needs to be more explosive, looking for a decisive takedown early. If nothing changes he will take poor unnecessary losses throughout the season which will be a shame given the level of wrestling we've seen him at. VT wins a squeaker here.
VT 6 - Mizz 6

157: Ryan Blees of BC Laprade vs. Joey Lavallee
For me the 157 spot is still very much a toss up, though laprade did his best to seize it this past weekend. The increased competition at 157 does appear to allow Lewis to preserve his RS while the hokie should easily qualify 157 this season. Whomever goes must be ready as Joey Lavalle is one of the senior leaders on this team and should show up ready to perform on the moss stage. Both Blees and Laprade need to initiate offense early, even if its simply movement and fakes. This match stacks up much like 141 in that Lavallee is brutal on top (excellent leg rider if i remember correctly) and the freedom to choose positions will be useful for the hokies starter. If Laprade goes, he will also need to focus on escaping quickly and cleanly, something upperclassmen like blees tend to understand through drilling at this point in their career (see mastrani's career progression the last 5 years). Expect a Missouri decision here:
Mizz 9 - VT 6

165: David McFadden vs. Connor Flynn
Another must win for the hokies, and another match where the slim possibility of bonus points remain viable (on paper). With Lewis unable to hold 165, Flynn enters the lineup to man the spot. McFadden's wrestling as well as anyone on he team right now and folks are already getting excited for a potential massa matchup at CKLV. He needs to take care of business and i like david as a gamer. I'll go out on a limb and predict bonus points here (though there's little to indicate it, just a gut feeling). David likes the spotlight...
VT 10 - Mizz 9

174: Hunter Bolen vs. Daniel Lewis
In this match, its Bolen's job to hold Lewis at bay. I think he's potentially one of he few challenges to Mark hall this year and his ability to score NF points is prodigious. Asking a true freshmen to match up with that is a tall order. Bolen needs to fundamentally sound, building a base and keeping his limbs in check. Else Lewis will make this one ugly and fast. This this ends up being ugly for the hokies, Mizzou by TF.
Mizz 14 - VT 10

184: Zack Zavatsky vs. Canten Marriott
This is probably the most lopsided match for VT going into the dual, and ZZ just had a very very good weekend. Based on prior results i felt like Zack was pressing trying to do it all and grow into his leadership role next season and the strain was showing in his wrestling. He finally relaxed last weekend and i was very pleased, in particular with that Carr match. I hope he'll do the same and continue to roll. Expect Mizzou to have their track shoes on during this match, trying to limit the damage to the overall dual score. I think ZZ gets a lopsided decision here that i hope doesnt become a "What if moment"
Mizz 14 - VT 13

197: Jared Haught vs. Willie Miklus
The marquee matchup of the Dual. Two experienced top 5 guys going at it. This match loses some of its luster based on Miklus's performance against Warner, but Miklus is a dangerous wrestler. I would think jared has a size and power advantage, and at this point, the senior leader will go about his business. I expect a VT win here, and its probably the one im most confident in (regardless of ranking)
VT 16 - Mizz 14

HWT: Andrew Dunn vs. Spencer Myers
Starting to feel like a throwback Ty Walz dual, with the dual on the line for the big boys to decide. Dunn and Myers are intimately familiar with each other, with Dunn handing Myers a loss at dapper dan prior to which Myers was 189 and 0. They met last year in he UWW universities bracket and Dunn largely controlled the match til Myers hit him with an inside trip and exposure. Dunn recovered and got the TD to seal the match, but it does bode well for the hokies. Pressure is a funny thing and its something to watch and see if the RS FR rises to the occasion. Again to level expectations, Dunn is a freshman in an upperclassman dominated weight class. We're playing with house money but of course i'm picking VT to take the upset, Dunn by decision
VT 19 - Mizz 14

Its important to note that i definitely have orange and maroon glasses on while writing this. VT is likely to start 5 freshmen against a grizzled experienced Mizzou lineup. Additionally EVERY POINT MATTERS. Mizzou can quickly rack up the bonus points, and flip a match or add a MD and a TF and we're looking at a different type of dual. For those in the audience, get loud for the young guys on bottom, let 'em know youre pulling for them. Escaping quickly and cleanly will be the key to this dual.

Go Hokies!