College wrestling is back baby!  Wrestle off or not, I"ll take it.  Ohio State's wrestle offs will begin today Thursday, Oct. 18 at 7PM EST on FloWrestling!

Each match will be one bout, with the exception of 149 and 174, which incidentally are the marquee matches of the event. Check out the matches below and the five reasons you can't miss these wrestle offs. 

Wrestle Off Match Order(No 141 Match)

149: Micah Jordan vs. Ke-Shawn Hayes - Match 1
174: Te'Shan Campbell vs. Ethan Smith - Match 1
125: Malik Heinselman vs. Brakan Mead
133: Luke Pletcher vs. Alex Felix
157: Elijah Cleary vs Aaron Rehfeldt
149: Micah Jordan vs. Ke-Shawn Hayes - Match 2
174: Te'Shan Campbell vs. Ethan Smith - Match 2
165: Kaleb Romero vs Fritz Schierl
184: Myles Martin vs. Gavin Hoffman
197: Kollin Moore vs. Kevin Snyder
285: Chase Singletary vs Gary Traub
149: Micah Jordan vs. Ke-Shawn Hayes - Match 3 if necessary
174: TeShan Campbell vs. Ethan Smith - Match 3 if necessary

#5 The Freshman

If Ohio State is going to stay in trophy contention, they need production from their highly touted freshmen.  Kaleb Romero, Chase Singletary and Malik Heinselman.

Romero was about as under the radar as a #1 ranked, 4-time Ohio state champion can be.  The stud footballer was regarded as an elite athlete with plenty of room for growth in terms of wrestling ability.  He redshirted last year up at 174 with limited results.  So he’s very much a mystery at this point.  We’ll get a feel for Kaleb as he takes on Fritz Schierl, a seasoned vet who was 21-6 last year.

Blair stud Singletary was a  huge big board prospect for the class of 2017, but his results have cooled considerably since arriving at Columbus.  With Daniel Kirkvliet coming to tOSU soon, Singletary will need to show progress if he wants to keep his varsity spot in the future.  His top work was excellent in high school.  

#4 Gavin Hoffman vs Myles Martin

Very possibly as excited about this match as any other on this card.  Hoffman established himself as the #1 guy at 195 last year.  I think he’s a great prospect, and seeing him against Myles Martin, though it will be ugly, sill fascinates me.  I’m curious 1) How does he look down at 184?  With Kollin Moore only a Junior this year at 197, Hoffman’s varsity opportunity next year will come at 184.  2) Can he fire off any offense against Myles?  Certainly finishing will be a different kettle of fish, but if Hoffman can get to a lock against Myles, it is solid evidence at this point that he can be a factor at 184 down the line.

#3 The Established Hammers

We’ll get our first look of the year at established hammers Myles Martin, Luke Pletcher, Joey McKenna and Kollin Moore.  Pletcher is an incredibly solid, at home wrestler.  What new wrinkles might they be bringing to their game?  Kollin Moore will have solid competition from Kevin Snyder.  After an up and down year (by Moore standards), how is his tank looking?  Is he able to generate offense for 7 minutes like he did as a Freshman?  Myles Martin has improved each year, there’s little doubt there will be a new wrinkle he will be adding as he enters his Senior year. 

#2 174 - Ethan Smith vs Te’Shan Campbell

Campbell is a proven guy and a two-time NCAA Qualifier.  The fact that Ohio State is making this bout and 149 best two out of three says something about where Smith is in the pecking order.  As a prospect, Smith was a late bloomer of sorts after moving from Pennsylvania to Maryland.  Campbell is a brute on top, but doesn’t have the go to leg attack necessary to make it to the next level.  Smith will need to win this match on his feet, I’d imagine.  

If Smith comes out and takes out Campbell, I will view Smith in as a darkhorse AA consideration right away. 

#1 149 - Micah Jordan vs Ke-Shawn Hayes

Oh ya know, only the biggest wrestle off of the season.  Pretty pumped we’ll see this one live, at least twice!  Ke-Shawn has had some curveballs come his way during his time at Ohio State.

Redshirt Year: He did awesome!

Redshirt Freshman: Season ending injury in November.

Redshirt Sophomore: McKenna transfers, Hayes loses close wrestle off and goes to 149.

Redshirt Junior: Micah decides he wants 149.  So if Ke-Shawn loses here, he’s up two weights from his ideal weight class of 141.

The match up here is fascinating.  Micah is a goer from neutral with heavy hands and a great single leg.  On the mat Jordan can lack a bit and getting away can be a chore.  Conversely, Hayes is great on top, he controls wrists well and can ride/turn in a variety of ways.  From neutral, Ke-Shawn can hang back a bit.  He has solid attacks, scrambles and go-behinds as well.  

Strategically, don’t be surprised to see Micah come out to a fast start, looking for a few takedowns to avoid having to go under Ke-Shawn in the 2nd or 3rd.  For Ke-Shawn, I actually think him pushing for the early TD is huge as well.  If he can “shorten” the match by getting a td and a ride, and not let Micah’s pace wear on him, he could be in position to pull the slight upset.