It is hard to believe that we are just over two weeks away from the 2015 Defense Soap & Flips Wrestling Southern Scuffle.  Since moving to the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga's McKenzie Arena in 2012, the Scuffle has become the top in-season collegiate wrestling tournament in the nation. 

The Scuffle's reputation is built on the accolades of the teams and student-athletes who make up the field, along with the premier fan experience the Scenic City has to offer.  Half of the top-25 from last year's NCAAs will be competing, including 29 All-Americans.  Tickets are on sale now on GoMocs.com or by calling the UTC Ticket Office at (423) 266-MOCS (6627).    

As the start of the tournament draws near, TheSouthernScuffle.com breaks down the competition with its #LetsScuffle previews.  The outlook kicks off with today's look at the 125 and 133 brackets. 

Cornell junior Nahshon Garrett leads the group as the returning Scuffle champion.  He is currently No. 2 in the Intermat rankings and one of five All-Americans competing at 125.  A runner-up at last year's NCAAs, Garrett is currently undefeated after winning the Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational title on Dec. 5. 

Penn State senior Nico Megaludis is redshirting this season, but is scheduled to compete unattached.  The two-time NCAA finalist, and three-time All-American, lost to Garrett 6-4 in last year's finals.  These two also faced off in the semifinals of the 2013 Scuffle, with Megaludis winning that match 3-1.   

"Any time you can get guys like that in your tournament, it is going to provide for an anticipated matchup," stated head coach Heath Eslinger.  "Especially since Megaludis is redshirting and won't be at the NCAAs.  I think this 125 field is loaded and will be a lot of fun to watch."

Other All-Americans in the mix at 125 are Lehigh sophomore Darian Cruz, who placed seventh at the NCAAs last season, and Missouri senior Alan Waters and Wyoming senior Alan Cox, who were both All-Americans in 2013.

All totaled, there are nine individuals ranked on Intermat this week that are in the 125 bracket.  Waters is right behind Garrett in third, while Cox is No. 9 and Megaludis's Penn State teammate junior Jordan Conway is 10^th.  Conaway competed at 133 in last year's Scuffle, placing sixth. 

Oklahoma State junior Eddie Klimara is 11^th, followed by Stanford junior Evan Silver at 12, Northern Colorado sophomore Trey Andrews at 16, Bucknell junior Paul Petrov at 17, Nebraska sophomore Tim Lambert at 18 and Chattanooga senior Sean Boyle at 19.  Silver is the only other returning Scuffle placer.  He finished seventh at last year's tournament.

"Sean is off to a great start for us," added Eslinger about his 125 entrant in the field.  "I think this is a great measuring stick for him and a chance to see where he really stacks up against some of the best in the nation.  Hopefully, he can have a strong showing and be ready for the run to the NCAAs."

Nick Soto has place at the Scuffle twice in his career.

The 133 bracket is just as tough with nine ranked competitors, including four of the top-10.  2014 Scuffle runner-up Jimmy Gulibon leads the group.  The Penn State sophomore is currently No. 5 in the nation and followed directly by Lehigh's junior All-American Mason Beckman. 

Gulibon is 7-0 on the year while Beckman is 7-1.  Beckman's only loss was an 8-3 setback to Gulibon in the Nov. 9 dual match between these two teams.  Penn State won that dual 24-10.

"I like it where there are possible rematches," said Eslinger about the potential for a second Beckman-Gulibon meeting.  "It builds anticipation and makes the upsets even bigger."

Michigan junior Rossi Bruno is currently No. 8, followed by Virginia sophomore Georga DiCamillo.  DiCamillo placed fifth at the Scuffle as a freshman in 2013. 

Chattanooga senior Nick Soto is No. 14 in this week's rankings.  He has twice placed at the Scuffle, including runner-up as a freshman in 2012 and a fourth place finish last season.

"This is a great chance for Soto to get back on track after two tough losses in our last two duals," added Eslinger.  He has performed well at the Scuffle, and being his last tournament on his home floor, I expect him to have another great showing."   

Iowa State junior Earl Hall was an All-American at 125 last year, but has moved up to 133 where he is No. 13.  Other ranked wrestlers include No. 15 MacKenzie McGuire (Kent State), No. 16 Matt Manley (Missouri) and No. 17 Kevin Devoy (Drexel).  McGuire defeated Manley in last year's seventh place match at the Scuffle. 

The 2015 Defense Soap and Flips Wrestling Southern Scuffle takes place at the McKenzie Arena in Chattanooga, Tenn., on Jan. 1-2.  For tickets, local attractions and hotel information, visit TheSouthernScuffle.com.

Once again, the official hashtag of the Southern Scuffle is #LetsScuffle.  Last year, the tournament trended nationally on social media.  Be sure to use the #LetsScuffle hashtag when tweeting about the 2015 tournament.