The ninth-ranked ISU wrestling team isn’t looking to give out sympathy.

This Sunday, the Cyclones (8-4) look to hang another loss on Northern Iowa, an instate rival brutalized by their dual schedule so far this season.

Iowa Public Television will air the dual live from Cedar Falls starting at 2 p.m.

All six of the Panthers (2-6-1) losses have been to ranked opponents, including top-ranked Minnesota, No. 2 Oklahoma State, No. 6 Central Michigan and No. 7 Iowa.

“UNI has a very balanced team; it will be a dogfight,” coach Bobby Douglas said. “They’ve got a great coaching staff, and they’ll do a good job of preparing their people for the match. We plan on doing the same.”

Iowa State and Northern Iowa are coming off disappointing showings at last weekend’s National Duals. The Panthers hosted the event at the UNI-Dome, but sent their crowd home early, losing both of their matches.

The Cyclones beat Northwestern but fell short of placing, losing to the tournament-champion Gophers and 11th-ranked Missouri.

“We are excited about having a chance to wrestle again,” Douglas said. “We didn’t do as well as we wanted to at the Duals, but we’ve got a chance to get out on the mat and see if we can correct some mistakes we made. They are going to be fired up. That’s going to be the last time we wrestle in that building (West Gym). I’m sure they are going to motivate their athletes and have a good plan for us. We’ll just have to come with our A game.”

Travis Paulson (165) is preparing for a competitive meet with the Panthers.

The eighth-ranked grappler has one of the most anticipated matchups, facing seventh-ranked Nick Baima.

Paulson (22-2) beat Baima (22-3), 3-1, early in the season. He said he prepares for matches against such opponents by thinking of the postseason.

“Every time you have a good match, it’s better preparation for the end of the year,” Paulson said. “So I look [at him] as an opponent I’m going to wrestle at Nationals, so when I wrestle him, I want to wrestle him as hard as I can. Maybe I can put a little doubt in his mind . let him know I’m ready to go and fine-tuning things, and at the end of the year, it’s going to be a tough time for him every time he draws my name.”

Northern Iowa has five ranked wrestlers: C.J. Ettelson (141) is ranked 15th, Chris Bitetto (157) is ranked 17th, Tyler Rhodes (HWT) is ranked 19th and Andrew Anderson (197) is ranked and 20th.

“You don’t want to put it past any team [to beat you],” junior Kurt Backes said. “They are a Division I team and can come up from behind you if you’re not ready.”

Iowa State holds a 45-17 lead in the all-time series between the schools. They beat the Panthers, 26-15, last year in Ames. In tournament action this year, the Cyclones have won 12 of their 18 matches with the Panthers.

“We’ll go in there and battle,” Trent Paulson said.

The Cyclones have a road trip next weekend and will face Oklahoma and Oklahoma State.