Historically, Oklahoma State and Oklahoma have owned Big 12 wrestling, but this weekend the ISU wrestling team can signal the new direction of the conference.

Young but talented, the third-ranked Cyclones (7-3, 1-0 Big 12) ended a five-dual losing streak to the Cowboys (11-3, 1-0) earlier this month in the National Duals, and come into this weekend’s duals as the favorites against the defending national champs and the Sooners.

Oklahoma State is in a re-loading year, and Oklahoma (8-3, 0-1) has been depleted recently by injuries. The Cyclones along with Missouri have caused a shift in the traditional Big 12 standings. The Cyclones have been steadily improving and Missouri is ranked second with the best lineup in the history of their program.

Iowa State will wrestle for their second and third conference wins against the 12th ranked Sooners and the fourth-ranked Cowboys on Friday night and Sunday afternoon, respectively.

The duals will be the only Big 12 meets of the season in Hilton Coliseum.

“These are as good as they get: Oklahoma and Oklahoma State,” coach Cael Sanderson said.

“Both powerhouses, have been since college wrestling started . There are going to be some unreal matchups.

“It’s going to be fun, it’s going to be competitive, it’s going to be a dogfight. It’s going to be entertaining, so hopefully we’ll get some people out.”

Some of the expected matchups this weekend include third-ranked Travis Paulson getting to rematch Oklahoma State’s top-ranked Johny Hendricks, 18th-ranked freshman Nick Fanthorpe (125) facing No. 1 ranked Sooner Sam Hazewinkel and 16th-ranked Cyler Sanderson meeting second-ranked Matt Storniolo for the first time.

Of those three, only Paulson vs. Hendrick may happen. According to the Oklahoma Daily, Hazewinkel tore his LCL and Storniolo isn’t expected back after missing Oklahoma’s last two meets because of injury. Oklahoma’s 12th ranked Will Rowe (157) also has missed several meets because of injury.

Despite the injuries, Sanderson said the Cyclones won’t overlook the Sooners. Even though Iowa State trounced Oklahoma State earlier this month, freshman Jake Varner (197) isn’t taking false confidence from the result.

“Matches can go either way. You can win or lose, it doesn’t matter what happened (before),” said sixth-ranked Varner, who is the highest ranked of the six freshman starters. “We’re going to be ready. We’re not going to go out there just because we beat them the first time thinking we’re going to do it real easily. They’re tough, but we’re going to be ready too.”

Notes: Nick Gallick missed the Nebraska meet because of illness and will be ready to go this weekend, said coach Sanderson . 2005-06 starter Jason Knipp transferred to Wartburg over winter break . check out the Daily’s Wrestling Blog at www.isdsports2.blogspot.com for a more extensive look at the ISU wrestling team and this weekend’s duals.