133 Could Have Multiple Different #1s After This Weekend

133 Could Have Multiple Different #1s After This Weekend

NCAA Wrestling's 133-pound weight class could have four potential new No. 1s after this weekend.

Jan 12, 2017 by Christian Pyles
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Now that dual season is in full swing, with numerous Big Ten matchups each week, we're going to start to see some major rankings shake-ups. That is especially true this weekend at 133 pounds, where the No. 1-, No. 2-, No. 3- and No. 4-ranked wrestlers all face elite opponents.

These three matches all have an element of the unknown. The varying results could end up with a drastically different ranking. We'll get into that, but first, let's take a look at the matches.

133: #1 Cory Clark, Iowa vs. #6 Kaid Brock, Oklahoma State

Brock has been sensational for two seasons now, but can he crack Cory Clark? Is Clark at 100 percent? If not, can a sub-optimal Clark go with the super freshman? Lots of questions and the answers are coming Sunday at 2 PM CT, live on FloWrestling. You can find a more substantive breakdown of this match here

133: #2 Nathan Tomasello, Ohio State vs. #4 Zane Richards, Illinois

Nathan Tomasello has done the job as well, but his lone elite 133 win was a squeaker against Michigan freshman Stevan Micic. Richards is much more established at this weight and has continued to look like a dynamo from neutral. If his tank can sustain NATO's pace, he could pull the upset.

133: #3 Eric Montoya, Nebraska vs. #8 Stevan Micic, Michigan

Montoya has grown into one of the biggest personalities on the mat this season. Whether it's his savage tweets, in which he talks about taking heads, or his dance on Zane Richards after beating him at Midlands, Montoya is now a must-watch. Also, he's not impressed by Cory Clark. Montoya will now be taking on Micic, whose current freshman season claim to fame is wrestling the No. 1 and No. 2 wrestlers in the country incredibly close. Micic nearly took Tomasello down in the CKLV finals. Against Clark, he was knocking at the door of a match-tying reversal. Eventually these near-wins for Micic will become outright wins.  That could start against Montoya. Both guys attack legs a lot, so look for a lot of exchanges. Montoya will challenge Micic from top.

So that can provide us with a number of ranking scenarios. Obviously a chalk result yields the same ranking. If Brock beats Clark and Richards beats NATO, Brock is potentially our new No. 1. With wins over Brewer and Clark (hypothetically), Brock would have enough to pass Montoya (who has losses to both Brewer and Clark) even if he beats Micic this weekend. If Brock, Montoya and NATO win, Nato will be our No. 1, with Brock up to No. 2 and Montoya manning the No. 3 (or 4) spot.


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