No. 3 Iowa State (8-1, 4-0 Big 12) faces #5 Oklahoma State (10-1, 5-0 Big 12) in Stillwater on Sunday, February 1, at 3 p.m. ET on ESPN+ in a high-profile Big 12 clash. Here’s a breakdown with probable starters and key matches.

Overview

Oklahoma State has looked sharp in 2026, downing Oklahoma and Missouri by a combined score of 70-3. The Cowboys haven’t lost since an 18-16 semifinal setback to #4 Iowa at the National Duals Invitational on November 16.

The addition of Jax Forrest has been the talk of college wrestling. In an unprecedented move, Forrest is competing for Oklahoma State at 133 pounds this semester after completing his high school career in December. He can use five dates before he loses his redshirt. This will be his fourth or fifth date in a Cowboy singlet, depending on whether he wrestles against Northern Iowa on Friday, January 30, at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN+.

Iowa State defeated Iowa, 20-14, two weeks after the Hawkeyes’ win over Oklahoma State. The Cyclones fell to #2 Ohio State, 21-13, on December 21 at the Collegiate Duals and are on a six-dual win streak, which could extend to seven after facing Oklahoma on Friday, January 30 at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN+.

A Swing Match To Start The Dual?

If the dual starts at 125, the winner of the Stevo Poulin (ISU) and Troy Spratley (OSU) could go a long way in deciding the outcome. Spratley is a returning national finalist who defeated Poulin 2-1 in the Round of 16 at the 2025 NCAA Championships. Poulin wrestled back for eighth, but this one should be a nailbiter. 

Poulin is 4-0 in 2026 after a 4-5 start. Spratley lost two one-point matches at the National Duals Invitational, including a 3-2 setback to North Carolina State’s Vincent Robinson in a national finals rematch. 

Will We Get Forrest vs Frost?

Don’t take Jax Forrest’s #11 ranking seriously. Everyone knows he’s a generational talent and that he’s working his way up the ladder as a true freshman. The former Bishop McCort star finished fifth at the 2025 Senior World Championships and first in the U23 division as a high schooler. 

Forrest faces his biggest challenge of the season (if he wrestles) against a tough Evan Frost. The Cyclone star is strong, has a gas tank, and is tough on top. Forrest is a world-class scrambler, so Frost needs to spend as much time riding as possible. This match will tell us a lot about Forrest’s ability to make a run at the NCAA Championships. Frost is an All-American (6th in 2024) and Round of 12er (2025), who is 13-1 this season. 

The Hits Keep Coming!

What’s better than two swing matches to start a dual? How about three! Oklahoma State’s Sergio Vega is off to a hot start during his true freshman year, posting a 10-0 record. Senior Anthony Echemendia is a great test for the young Cowboy star. The Cyclone star finished fifth at the 2024 NCAA Championships, with two losses to returning two-time NCAA champion Jesse Mendez (Ohio State) this season. Let’s hope they let the offense fly early and often. 

Hey, Don’t We Know Each Other?

Intrigue is high at 149 pounds when former Iowa State teammates face off. Casey Swiderski was a 141-pound All-American (7th) for the Cyclones in 2024, but moved to Stillwater after redshirting in Ames last season. He has a 9-4 win over Frost on January 22, 2024; however, Frost was a 141-pound All-American (7th) last season, while Swiderski was in redshirt. This is a swing match that could determine the dual. 

Swiderski lost four straight matches to start the season, but has won eight of his last nine. Frost has won four consecutive bouts since a 4-3 setback to Stanford’s Aden Valencia on January 4. 

A Fifth Swing Match?

You know it! If Iowa State’s Vinny Zerban gets the nod, he’ll be the underdog against Robideau — but only in the rankings. Zerban is a dynamic wrestler who poses a unique challenge for anyone he faces. The former Northern Colorado star finished sixth at the 2025 NCAA Championships and is a crucial part of the Cyclones’ push for a team trophy (top four). Robideau is another true freshman star whose lone loss was a 3-2 TB setback to returning NCAA champion Antrell Taylor (Nebraska). This one could be fun. 

Don't Sleep On 165, 174, 184

These might not be the marquee matches from a rankings perspective, but they could be the best matchups. Don't forget that MJ Gaitan was the hero of the Iowa-Iowa State dual, securing a thrilling 9-8 TB win over Patrick Kennedy at 174. Oklahoma State's Alex Facundo will need to be ready for a unique upper-body style. 

Oklahoma State's Dee Lockett (165) has been part of a stellar freshman class, but Conner Euton is formidable. And while 184 is expected to be low scoring, expect this to be a one-takedown match that could go either way. 

Another War Of Attrition?

Oklahoma State’s Cody Merrill has three exceptional tools. He’s difficult to take down, he’s tough on top, and he can get away from almost anyone. Iowa State’s Rocky Elam is tough on top, too — so expect this to be a low-scoring match with possible drama if the dual gets tight. 

Merrill’s last three wins have been 2-1, 2-1, 1-0, and 4-0, so he’s accustomed to gritty matches. Elam is solid on his feet and has a proven track record (5th, 4th, 3rd, 6th at nationals), but Merrill will be a test. Merrill fell to former Iowa starter Mo Endene, 4-3, at the National Duals, and Elam defeated Endene 8-2 two weeks later. 

Will Heavyweight Decide Dual?

Iowa State’s Yonger Bastida topped Oklahoma State’s Konner Doucet, 7-2, on January 27, 2024, during a dual, and will be the heavy favorite to win here. Bastida is seeking his first national podium finish at 285 pounds after a fifth-place finish at 197 in 2022. Doucet fell to Nebraska’s AJ Ferrari, 2-1, at the National Duals Invitational for his lone loss of the season. 

Top 10 Matchups

141: #4 Anthony Echemendia (Iowa State) vs. #2 Sergio Vega (Oklahoma State)
149: #6 Jacob Frost (Iowa State) vs. #8 Casey Swiderski (Oklahoma State)
157: #8 Vinny Zerban (Iowa State) vs. #6 Landon Robideau (Oklahoma State)
197: #2 Rocky Elam (Iowa State) vs. #7 Cody Merrill (Oklahoma State)
285: #1 Yonger Bastida (Iowa State) vs. #7 Konner Doucet (Oklahoma State)

#3 Iowa State (8-1, 4-0 Big 12) vs. #5 Oklahoma State (10-1, 5-0 Big 12)

125: #12 Stevo Poulin (8-5) vs. #7 Troy Spratley (7-2)
133: #4 Evan Frost (13-1) vs. #11 Jax Forrest (6-0) or Ronnie Ramirez (6-3)
141: #4 Anthony Echemendia (12-1) vs. #2 Sergio Vega (10-0)
149: #6 Jacob Frost (11-3) vs. #8 Casey Swiderski (8-5)
157: #8 Vinny Zerban (10-2) or Kane Naaktgeboren (13-6) vs. #6 Landon Robideau (9-1)
165: #13 Connor Euton (12-3) vs. #2 Dee Lockett (9-0)
174: #12 MJ Gaitan (10-2) vs. #7 Alex Facundo (10-4)
184: #11 Isaac Dean (14-4) vs. #8 Zack Ryder (9-5)
197: #2 Rocky Elam (11-0) or CJ Carter (10-5) vs. #7 Cody Merrill (10-1)
285: #1 Yonger Bastida (16-0) vs. #7 Konner Doucet (10-1)

Iowa State head coach: Kevin Dresser
Oklahoma State head coach: David Taylor