Analyzing the NCAA's "DREAM MATCHES"

STEPHEN ABAS VS SPENCER LEE 125 lbs

Abas wins comfortably by two takedowns, possibly three. The speed and more importantly combination of patience and methodical strategy would overcome the easily frustrated Hawkeye. You're not out-muscling or getting a seasoned Abas to make a mistake or get out of position. A score of 6-3, 7-4, would most likely take place.

DAN GABLE VS TOM BRANDS 133 lbs

This one would be interesting to see. I think on their feet it might be about even, although I can see Gable capitalizing upon an over aggressive Brands. I think there's no way Brands could keep Gable on the mat, but I can see Gable with his relentless and unforgiving ride keeping Brands on the mat. I think we're talking a 1972 Gold Medalist Vs a 1996 Gold Medalist here...in other words both of them at their best. In that case, I take Gable 1-0 or 2-0. LOGAN STIEBER Vs KYLE DAKE 141 lbs Wow, this truly is a dream match. What's funny about both Stieber and Dake in comparison, is matching up their losses. Dake lost to Reece Humphry of Ohio State, Zach Bailey of Oklahoma, Kevin LaValley of Bucknell and Donnie Vinson of Binghamton. Stieber lost to Frank Perelli of Cornell, Zain Retherford of Penn State, Jarrod Patterson of Oklahoma and Jason Lara of Oregon State. It's so weird to see some of the names they lost to, considering both were four time NCAA champions. My point in bringing this up is to show that despite how untouchable we sometimes treat them, both were vulnerable. I want to give the edge to Dake for the simple fact that all four of his NCAA titles were without dispute. Two of Stieber's were questionable. I'm not the only one who thinks there were uncalled points in favor of both Oklahoma State's Jordan Oliver and Iowa's Tony Ramos. While a great match, by the time Dake was a senior, his defense was impregnable. It'd be close, but gonna go with Dake. ZAIN RETHERFORD VS BILL KOLL 149 lbs Bill Koll's senior year was 1948 & things were a lot different back then. Technique wasn't as good, guys weren't as well conditioned and argue those two points if you want but I am 100% correct in saying that guys weren't anywhere near as strong. It's an unfair advantage in so many ways, but I think in looking at advancements alone, Retherford would handle Koll rather easily. Maybe even a major decision. PAT SMITH VS JORDAN BURROUGHS 157 lbs This one is all about timing. A 1994 Pat Smith would tech a 2007 Jordan Burroughs. Yet I think a 2011 Jordan Burroughs might major a 1990 Pat Smith. Yet this isn't about putting one at their strongest vs one at their weakest. This is about putting both at their best. Could Smith at his best stop Burroughs double leg? Could Smith, the monster he was in the top position sink in the legs and get a turn on Burroughs? I think both of these are fair questions to ponder. On their feet I'm going with Burroughs. Mat wrestling I'm going with Smith. For the simple fact that I think taking Smith down would be more doable than turning Burroughs, I'm giving Burroughs a microscopic edge. MARK SCHULTZ VS DAVID TAYLOR 165 lbs Schultz is lbs for lbs one of the strongest wrestlers the NCAA has ever seen. Ed Banach was nothing but a slab of muscle, and Schultz went out and made him look like he'd never lifted a weight in his life. It's unreal the grizzly bear/gorilla strength that Schultz had. Then on top of it he was athletic, limber and flexible. Taylor on the other hand was (and STILL IS for that matter) a master technician. His ability to transition and scramble was in itself, damn near a new style of wrestling. As savvy as he is on the mat, I don't know how effective Schultz's Hulk strength would be on him. This one is the hardest for me to call. Since I have to make a decision, going with Taylor. DANNY HODGE VS ED BANACH 174 lbs Absolute strength Vs Absolute strength. We have two hosses going at it in a battle that may never end. Imagine arm wrestling yourself. That's essentially what this wrestling match would be. To be more honest than most would be, a great advantage that Hodge had in winning his three titles was that he wrestled in a time when guys weren't lifting weights. He had a natural strength that couldn't be matched by pushups and farm work alone. Could Banach, who spent a tremendous amount of time in the weight room have matched strength with Hodge? That's the real question to ask when looking at this match up. As much of a bull as Banach was, I find it hard to believe that Hodge could get on top of him and turn him the way he did so many of his opponents. Yet I just can't get myself to imagine Banach getting his arms around Hodge and tossing him the way he did so many of his opponents. Can we go back to a time when matches could end in a tie?

CAEL SANDERSON VS BO NICKAL 184 lbs Sorry Bo, but this one, no question in my mind goes to Sanderson. Nickal might survive getting majored but even that would be difficult. Sanderson by no less than five points. J'DEN COX Vs JAKE ROSHOLT 197 lbs This would be a very, very fun match. I don't think either one of these guys would be able to ride the other very long. Both were (still are) so good on their feet that imagining either of them getting a takedown on the other is very difficult. A trivia fact that many have since forgotten is that although Rosholt won three NCAA titles, he was only able to win one BIG 12 title. In an NCAA tournament match, I can see the match going either way. Yet in any other setting, I think Cox takes the win. Nothing dominant or significant. It'd be by a point or two, but going with Cox. CARLTON HASELRIG VS KYLE SNYDER HWT Snyder's dual loss to Michigan's Adam Coon his senior year is the one and only reason I'll go with Haselrig in his potential match up. He was just so big, so strong, so powerful and so athletic that he was impossible to score on. I think he could get the needed minute of riding time that he needed, escape from Snyder and win the match 2-1. Those are my opinions, how about your's?!?!?!