The ISU wrestling team continues its quest for its first Big 12 win this weekend as it takes on two strong opponents — Nebraska and Oklahoma.

The No. 21 Cyclones travel to Lincoln on Friday night to take on the No. 20 Cornhuskers in what promises to be an even match-up.

“Every match is going to be important,” ISU wrestling coach Bobby Douglas said. “They’re strong where we’re weak and vice versa.”

“Their 197-pounder is probably the best in the country,” Douglas said, referring to second-ranked Justin Ruiz (7-1). He will take on Iowa State’s Woodley Milord (8-14).

“Their 125- and 141-pounders are also very good,” Douglas said.

Iowa State’s Zach Roberson, 17-3 and ranked fourth at 133 pounds, also faces a challenge in No. 15 Joey Malia, who is 17-8 this season.

“He’s real scrappy. He wrestles hard the whole match,” Roberson said. “I’ve got to stay on him the whole way and try to tire him out.”

Douglas said the whole team will use those techniques.

“We’re going to try and make conditioning a factor in the meet,” he said. “We want to get them tired.”

This meet will have a big effect on the postseason outlook for both teams.

“Nebraska is in the same situation that we’re in — both teams are struggling,” Douglas said. “This match is very important to both teams because it will have a bearing on the seedings in the Big 12 tournament.”

The Cyclones face the Huskers at 7 p.m Friday in Lincoln, Neb.

Things don’t get any easier for the ISU wrestlers as they return to Ames to take on the No. 15 Oklahoma Sooners on Sunday.

“They have five potential All-Americans on their team,” Douglas said.

“This is one of the strongest teams they’ve ever had.”

The Cyclones lost to Oklahoma, the defending Big 12 Conference champions, earlier this year at national duals, 15-19.

Roberson also has another tough match against Oklahoma senior Witt Durden. Durden comes into the meet ranked sixth with a record of 18-3.

“He’s a really good technician and he likes to try and sucker you in,” said Roberson, who knocked off Durden 6-1 in the first match. “I have to try and wait for him to make a mistake and capitalize on it.”

“Roberson’s match could end up being a national semifinal later on,” Douglas said.

As for the team, Douglas hopes to avenge the close loss to Oklahoma at national duals. “We want to win the matches that we can win and we want to improve on the ones that we didn’t win last time,” he said.

Douglas also thinks that being at home will give the Cyclones an extra advantage.

“They’re traveling, we’re not, hopefully that will be a factor,” he said. “Our guys should wrestle better at home, in front of their home crowd.”

ISU students can get into the Oklahoma meet for $1 by presenting their ISUCard.

Douglas believes that Iowa State has a good chance at winning both of these meets as long they can eliminate their mistakes and wrestle well.

“Our conditioning as well as our technique has improved, but we still need to generate offense and get points on the board,” Douglas said.

He said both meets will help his squad pinpoint where they are at so far this season.

“Whether we can win or not,” Douglas said.

“I don’t have a crystal ball to tell me that, but we’re sure going to try.”