You’ve seen it. That specific kind of Big 12 chaos that only happens when a team from Ames and a team from Stillwater get into a room together. It isn’t always the prettiest game on the calendar, but lately, the Iowa State vs Oklahoma State matchup has become a masterclass in heart-attack finishes and program-defining moments.
Honestly? It's kind of the perfect rivalry for people who love defense, cold weather, and "how did he catch that?" highlights.
Take the most recent football meeting in late November 2025. Iowa State rolled into Boone Pickens Stadium and walked away with a gritty 20-13 win. It wasn't a blowout. It wasn't a high-flying air show. It was a 231-yard rushing performance from the Cyclones that basically suffocated a struggling Cowboys squad. Rocco Becht was efficient, finding Chase Sowell for a crucial 16-yard score, while Abu Sama III reminded everyone why he's a problem with a 40-yard house call.
But if you think that one game tells the whole story, you’re missing the forest for the trees. This series is deeper than just the last box score.
The Football Flip: A Power Shift in Stillwater?
For years, Mike Gundy seemed to have the Cyclones' number. But the script is flipping. Iowa State has now taken two in a row, and the 2025 finale was particularly painful for the Pokes. Oklahoma State finished that season 1-11, a record that honestly feels like a typo for a program with that much history.
They’ve already moved on. Eric Morris is in from North Texas to try and fix an offense that spent most of 2025 stuck in the mud.
On the other side, Matt Campbell has Iowa State back in that "eight-win" comfort zone. They aren't just winning; they're winning with a specific identity. They run the ball, they don't turn it over, and they make life miserable for opposing quarterbacks. In that November game, the ISU defense held Oklahoma State to just 219 total yards. That's not just a bad day for the Cowboys; that’s a systematic dismantling.
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Key Stats from the Last Gridiron Clash
- Final Score: Iowa State 20, Oklahoma State 13 (Nov 29, 2025)
- The Difference Maker: ISU’s 231 rushing yards vs. OSU’s 219 total yards.
- The Boot: Kyle Konrardy nailed field goals of 45 and 34 yards to keep the distance.
- The Streak: Iowa State has won 4 of the last 10, but more importantly, the last two.
Basketball Is Where the Heat Is Really Rising
While the football rivalry is a slow-burn physical battle, the hardwood is a different beast entirely. We just saw No. 3 Iowa State take down Oklahoma State 83-71 on January 10, 2026.
Ames was rocking. Hilton Magic is a real thing, and the Cyclones used every bit of it to push their record to a historic 16-0. Joshua Jefferson and Milan Momcilovic are essentially a cheat code at this point. Momcilovic is shooting a nation-leading 55% from three-point range. Let that sink in for a second. More than half the time he lets it fly from deep, it’s going in.
Oklahoma State isn't a pushover here, though. Even in the loss, Parsa Fallah put up 21 points. They played that game without their second-leading scorer, Vyctorius Miller, who was out with an ankle injury. If Miller is healthy for the rematch, the Iowa State vs Oklahoma State narrative in basketball might look a lot closer.
What to Watch for in the Rematch
- The Perimeter Battle: Can Anthony Roy keep hitting 5+ threes a game to keep the Cowboys in it?
- The Point God: Tamin Lipsey just hit 500 career assists. He controls the tempo like a seasoned pro.
- The Interior: Audi Crooks is the headline act for the women's side, but the men’s frontcourt depth is what wears teams down over 40 minutes.
Wrestling: The Rivalry’s True Soul
You can't talk about these two schools without mentioning the mats. This is the "Old Guard" of collegiate wrestling. Combined, these programs have more national titles than most entire conferences.
In January 2025, Oklahoma State walked into Ames and took a 27-12 victory. It was a statement. The Cowboys lead the all-time series 64-22-3, but the matches are always tighter than the record suggests. It’s a culture thing. In Stillwater and Ames, wrestling isn't a "minor sport." It's a way of life. When these two meet, the atmosphere is more like a prize fight than a dual meet.
What Most People Get Wrong
People think this is a "filler" game on the Big 12 schedule. It’s not. It’s a gatekeeper game.
In the new-look Big 12, the path to the championship doesn't go through Texas or Oklahoma anymore. It goes through teams like these. If you can't beat a disciplined Iowa State defense or survive a road trip to Stillwater, you aren't winning the conference. Period.
The complexity comes from the styles. Oklahoma State traditionally wants to out-athlete you and play fast. Iowa State wants to turn the game into a wrestling match on grass. It’s a clash of philosophies that produces some of the weirdest, most compelling football in the country.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Bettors
If you're following the Iowa State vs Oklahoma State matchups throughout the 2026 season, keep these three things in mind:
- Watch the Injury Report for Vyctorius Miller: His absence changed the entire ceiling for the Cowboys' basketball offense. When he's back, they are a cover-the-spread machine.
- The "Under" is Your Friend in Football: Until Eric Morris proves his "blast" offense is working in Stillwater, these games remain defensive struggles. The 46.5 total in their last game was still too high.
- Home Court Advantage is Massive: Between Hilton Coliseum and Gallagher-Iba Arena, home teams in this series win at a significantly higher clip than the national average. Don't bet against the home crowd in a "Top 25" matchup.
The next time these two face off—whether it’s on the mat, the court, or the field—don't expect a blowout. Expect a grind. That’s just how they do things in the heart of the Big 12.