Ranking Oklahoma State’s Conference rivals in the Big 12

9. Iowa State Cyclones

Location: Ames, IA

All-Time Football Record: 30-18-3

The Iowa State Cyclones may have not been the best football program in the Big 12 of late, but they sure have given the Cowboys fits. Every OK State fan remembers the 2011 game in Ames, at Jack Trice Stadium, basically thrashing the Cowboys’ chances at a BCS Title Game berth.

Moreover, the Cyclones nearly defeated the Cowboys in Boone Pickens Stadium last season, as it took a three score comeback from the Pokes just to claim a 38-31 victory.

ISU provides a tough test for the Cowboys whenever the two teams meet on the basketball court as well. Hilton Coliseum has been an incredibly tough place for the Pokes to win as they have not done so in more than five years.

However, the Cyclones do not boast a great baseball program and many of their other athletic programs do not match up to that of OK State.

The last sport that ISU provides good competition in is wrestling. The Clones are a traditional wrestling power from a traditional wrestling state in Iowa. It’s not only great for OK State, but for the entire Big 12 to have a program like ISU in the conference for wrestling.

Not having a hugely competitive history in major sports along with not being a geographic rival puts ISU at the bottom of this list.