Can Noah Mulvaney Put a Dent in Ohio State's Clarion Open?
We like an upset at 165, but Ohio State's depth still gives it the edge in our Clarion Open team title prediction.
Ohio State can win the Clarion Open and still leave with a loss that stings. Bucknell's Noah Mulvaney, ranked 16 at 165, is our upset choice if the bracket gives him a shot at the Buckeyes. The rankings gap is small enough for us to take that swing.
Ethan Stiles holds the higher ranking at 15. He gives Ohio State the narrow edge on paper at 165, but we would bet against him in that potential meeting. For a team projected at 7, this looks like a weight where the title push could get uncomfortable.
The crowded chase at 197
Bucknell's Dillon Bechtold leads the ranked group at 197 with a ranking of 16. We like him to win this weight. Bucknell has a chance to make the upper weights a headache for the rest of the field.
Utah Valley's Kael Bennie sits at 21 at 197. We see him as the strongest upset threat here by ranking, though a title would require him to overturn that order.
Air Force's Karson Tompkins is close behind at 22. Our lean goes elsewhere, but his presence makes 197 a weight we would follow through every round.
Where we expect control
Carter Nogle gives Air Force its highest-ranked wrestler at 6 at 141. We like him to take the title at his weight. His team is projected at 28, and this is where we expect its biggest push.
Ohio State's Ben Davino enters ranked 2 at 133, the highest individual ranking in this field. We expect him to deliver a weight title. Anything less would be a surprise.
Nick Feldman gives Ohio State another strong title chance at 285 with his ranking of 3. We like him to finish the job at heavyweight, adding to the pressure on any team trying to keep pace.
Our team title prediction
Our prediction is Ohio State. Eight ranked wrestlers give the Buckeyes more paths to points than any other team here, and we expect that depth to absorb an upset. Bucknell is our choice to cause trouble, but winning a few arguments at individual weights is different from winning the tournament.