Which would be the biggest upset?

[Ja1339]

If you could go back in time and look at the odds of an upset (before the match occurred), and look at the odds for a future theoretical upset, who did you think would have the longest odds of an upset (i.e. biggest upset), assuming PSU wrestler is underdog in each match. Assume future bouts would be finals at NCAAs.

2017 finals Nickal v Dean
2017 finals Cenzo v Imar
2019 Cassar v Steveson
2019 Shak v Martin
2019 N. Lee v Yianni

I'll give my pick from shortest (best chance for an upset) to longest odds of an upset

Cassar, Bo, N. Lee, Shak, Cenzo

 

[ClarkstonMark]

Bo, Cenzo, Cassar, Lee, Shak

 

[SRATH]

Bo, Cassar, Cenzo, Lee, Sugar

 

[El-Jefe]

This guy vs. Kendrick Maple.

 

[pawrestlersintn]

This guy vs. Kendrick Maple.

Yep, still onions every time I see that pic.

 

[NoVaLion2]

This guy vs. Kendrick Maple.

WINNER! WINNER!

 

[NoVaLion2]

Shak, Cassar, N. Lee, Cenzo, Bo.

I don't recall there being a consensus that Bo was an underdog to Dean; I think most people saw that as a tossup. And Cenzo was close to Imar the first time he wrestled him, didn't quite match that in their 2nd match, but was still on the threshold.

 

[KTG119]

Dean had won 2 in a row, was christened the destroyer of worlds on some forums and Bo was a runner up moving up in weight. Dean was a pretty solid favorite.

 

[KTG119]

Bo had also lost at B1G.

 

[Chickenman Testa]

Bo had also lost at B1G.

Yup. To MyMar who “had his number.”

 

[diggerpup]

English vs Maple for 7th is one match I wish was on Youtube.

Damn. Have never seen it.

 

[STAND with PRIDE]

Gave Bo a 40% chance
Gave Cenzo a 30%
Give Cass a 40%
Give Lee a 30%
Give Shak a 20%

 

[aalion]

English vs Maple for 7th is one match I wish was on Youtube.

Damn. Have never seen it.

I had it on DVR for years until my Tivo died. It is one of the ~10 events I am bummed are gone. ESPN coverage started part way through and was split screen w another match. Became full screen for 3rd period and OT as I recall. Plus the great post match interview... coverage cuts out as JE is walking into the tunnel and you see DT coming his way. I have watched it dozens of times.

I am not a religious guy but one thing about the interview always struck me. JE thanks God for helping him overcome all of his injuries. Others might be tempted to blame a higher power for such bad luck. I know alot of PSU guys are grounded in faith. I wonder how much it helps them in the "mental toughness" category.

 

[STAND with PRIDE]

Last year ESPN had an “extended type version” of at least the finals and medal matches. I wonder if they keep archives. I bet video of this match/ interview is available from ESPN somehow.

For some reason I dont recall watching the match, but vividly remember the interview.

 

[NothingMeaningful]

Dean had won 2 in a row, was christened the destroyer of worlds on some forums and Bo was a runner up moving up in weight. Dean was a pretty solid favorite.

Too bad nobody knew about his torn rib cartilage...

 

[Dogwelder]

Too bad nobody knew about his torn rib cartilage...

He also had appendicitis and strep throat. And bubonic plague. Also, bitten by king cobra. Insomnia.

 

[STAND with PRIDE]

NothingMeaningful

 

[a_mshaffer]

He also had appendicitis and strep throat. And bubonic plague. Also, bitten by king cobra. Insomnia.

but Bo had....... Bo had FUN

 

[SWPA]

but Bo had....... Bo had FUN

F*n can be infectious too.

 

[tomsc]

I am not a religious guy but one thing about the interview always struck me. JE thanks God for helping him overcome all of his injuries. Others might be tempted to blame a higher power for such bad luck. I know alot of PSU guys are grounded in faith. I wonder how much it helps them in the "mental toughness" category.[/QUOTE]

I read Tony Dungy once say (paraphrasing from memory) that the Christians on his team had something extra that helped them in tight situations--that they knew there was something more important than football, and this enabled them to remain calmer under pressure.

 

[Foreverinbluejeans57]

Was that JE’s dad in the pic?

 

[Dogwelder]

Was that JE’s dad in the pic?

David Taylor.

 

[Foreverinbluejeans57]

David Taylor.

Nice! Not the best view lol

 

[McScoreley]

Honestly - the way Bo was wrestling that NCAAs, I thought he would pin Gabe Dean somehow haha.

I'll go Bo, Cassar, Shak, Cenzo, Lee. Before he wrestled IMar, I thought there was little chance he'd have to win that, I'd be more confident with Cassar, Shak beating MyMar/gable.

End of the day, IMar lost once in college at that point, to Jason Nolf and shortly figured him out. MyMar has improved tremendously since his sophomore year but he has lost to Non Bo wrestlers before as well. I actually think Cassar will give Gable a good match but absolutely would not call him the favorite. I can see an avenue for Shak to beat MyMar if he catches him potentially in a cradle of if he wears him down on top (not likely but it's an avenue)

Which is why Lee/Yianni is my least likely upset: I don't see a clear avenue for Lee to beat Yianni and I think Lee has improved tremendously this year and is absolutely a hammer... I feel Yianni is not a good matchup for him. Pace alone won't beat Yianni and I can't see Lee winning a scramble against him. That kid is a generational talent who beat Heil, Eierman then Meredith all on a torn ACL with some 3rd period magic.