Darrion Caldwell VS Kyle Dake.....Who wins this??

[AnthonyMarston]

HEAVY DUTY MATCHUP HERE.  Time to make your early picks.  I say Dake dec Caldwell 9 - 7

[Viratas]

Dake something like 14-10

[buck]

I'll take the black athlete all day long over whitey.

[crablegs]

I can't believe so many people have picked Dake.  I would love to hear their reasoning for doing so. 

I picked Caldwell and here is why.  2 years ago (before his redshirt) Caldwell was arguably the best wrestler in the NCAAs.  He was the OW of the national tournament beating a wrestler who had all of 2 losses in his career and was a 2 time champion.  Caldwell himself was undefeated that year (officially), and is a dominant wrestler.  He just doesn't squeak by top opponents.  He won Vegas by pinning Lance Palmer.  His NCAA championship quarters won by 9, semis by 11, and finals by 5 (Metcalf).  That summer he went on to beat past world team member Schwab in freestyle. 

As much as I like Dake, and I do a lot, nothing on his resume speaks to him being able to beat Caldwell.  He has an NCAA championship.  141 was very weak except for Humphrey.  Dake scraped by guys like Krom, Bailey, and Thorn.  He is also moving up in weight, which could have its difficulties. 

Actually, this matchup should be really fun.  I love both guys' wrestling styles.  There should be no shortage of action in their matches.  I wish they were at different weights so they could both be champions. 

[Viratas]

Several reasons why I pick dake.

1. As you point out you are looking at a Caldwell from 2 years ago. You have no idea how well he recovered from a major injury and how his traning has went. I am not confident in the least he even makes it through the season much less win it. Listen to his intrview with Casber he even talks about cutting his college career short. That is a red flag to me that he is not anywhere near 100%.

2. Dake is coming up a weight and not cutting anywhere near what he was last year. IMO that will make him better not worse.

3. I think Dakes style may clash with Caldwell somel. Dake is dangrous from every position. Very diffrent style the metcalf IMO.

As you said if this match was 2 years ago, then I would pick Caldwll also, but its not, it is this year and either way it should be a treat for the fans.

[crablegs]

I see your point, and I left that out of my analysis.  If Caldwell is not at 100% is the only reason I could see anyone pick Dake over him.  Wrestling credential wise, Caldwell is the clear favorite. 

I see Dake having trouble with Molinaro at this new weight, let alone Caldwell. 

This is going to be fun though, and I can't wait.  Much more anticipated matchup to me than Burroughs Howe. 

[RYou]

Dake has a very deliberate style just like Metcalf .  Caldwell is just toooooo athletic for him.  The result will be the same.

[ViseGrip]

Unless Caldwell is still hurt, I go with the takedown machine.

[DiMaria]

I'll go with Caldwell if his 100%. If not,I take Dake.

[Viratas]

Dake has a very deliberate style just like Metcalf .  Caldwell is just toooooo athletic for him.  The result will be the same.

I strogly disagree with the first part of this. Dake is unorthodoxed and as I said willing to take risks in his matches at least from everything I have seen.

I can see why Caldwell is the favorie I am just having a problem with all the reason why,

What is going to bother me if Dakes win all people will say is Caldwell was not 100%. Sad really, both are excellent wrestlers. One has accomplished more in less time but is young, the other has had an outstanding career with some road bumps due to injury.

As I said, they both are excellent and if they wrestle eachother It should be a lot of fun,

That being said, I also would not be shocked if neither of then won it. How is that for being non-committal.

[crablegs]

Dake has a very deliberate style just like Metcalf .  Caldwell is just toooooo athletic for him.  The result will be the same.

What is going to bother me if Dakes win all people will say is Caldwell was not 100%. Sad really, both are excellent wrestlers.

You set it up for this kind of thought.  Your main point for why you think Dake will win is that Caldwell has not fully recovered from his injury.  "As you point out you are looking at a Caldwell from 2 years ago. You have no idea how well he recovered from a major injury and how his traning has went. I am not confident in the least he even makes it through the season much less win it. Listen to his intrview with Casber he even talks about cutting his college career short. That is a red flag to me that he is not anywhere near 100%."

[Viratas]

I know I did, but its the reality and that doesnt mean it sucks. If he is 100% and Dake wins eitherway it will be out there.

[buck]

Dake is unorthodoxed

  - Is that some sort of religion or did you mean to say something else?

[Viratas]

Dake is unorthodoxed

  - Is that some sort of religion or did you mean to say something else?

shhh

[drmuscle]

I can't believe so many people have picked Dake.  I would love to hear their reasoning for doing so. 

I picked Caldwell and here is why.  2 years ago (before his redshirt) Caldwell was arguably the best wrestler in the NCAAs.  He was the OW of the national tournament beating a wrestler who had all of 2 losses in his career and was a 2 time champion.  Caldwell himself was undefeated that year (officially), and is a dominant wrestler.  He just doesn't squeak by top opponents.  He won Vegas by pinning Lance Palmer.  His NCAA championship quarters won by 9, semis by 11, and finals by 5 (Metcalf).  That summer he went on to beat past world team member Schwab in freestyle. 

As much as I like Dake, and I do a lot, nothing on his resume speaks to him being able to beat Caldwell.  He has an NCAA championship.  141 was very weak except for Humphrey.  Dake scraped by guys like Krom, Bailey, and Thorn.  He is also moving up in weight, which could have its difficulties. 

Actually, this matchup should be really fun.  I love both guys' wrestling styles.  There should be no shortage of action in their matches.  I wish they were at different weights so they could both be champions.

+1