I really don't see why 174 is getting such a bad wrap. Is it mainly because you feel that
Keith Gavin won't be challenged for the Title? In my opinion, Heavyweight, is weakest weight, with 165 next. 174 may or may not have anyone fighting Gavin for the title, but it has it's fair share of guys that will be fighting for All American Status. You have returning All Americans, Gavin, Stolpinski, Mason, Luke and Sinnott. Then on top of that, you have Hayes, Dretsch, Borshell/Kerr, Rueda, Weitzel, and someone I know I'm missing if not more. 165, looking at it All Americanly, seems a lot weaker to me. You have, Perry, Tannenbaum, and surprise All American Miller returning. Tannenbaum and Miller, mark my word will be the only one's giving Perry a match, if anyone gives him a match this upcoming season. No one else at 165 will. At 174 on the other hand, I can honestly see Gavin having trouble with Stolpinski, Mason, Luke, Sinnott or Dretsch. 174 may have a surprise All American, but I see 165 making room for more of them come March. A nobody, from nowhere becoming a somebody over a period of wrestling at his top level in two days. Tyler Safratowich on paper doesn't really seem AA status quite yet nor does Jake Donar, and perhaps Max Dean, but with the graduation of the top 165's, as well as the weakness of the weight, I can see them on the AA stand. AA stand for David Bertolino, a 174 pounder, who's in the same boat of probability based on last years stats vs top guys @ weight, seems a little harder to reach.
As far as Heavyweight goes, Fox in my opinion should walk away easily with the Title. 2nd-8th will be a battle of who's hot and who's not. Bubba Gritter ought to be the one in the opposite corner come finals, but it could be Mat Koz or Zabriskie(which neither made All American last year) too.