Penn State vs. Ohio State Wrestling Showdown Set to Shake the Bryce Jordan Center
Circle February 13 on your calendar. Two of college wrestling’s premier powerhouses-No.
1 Penn State and No. 2 Ohio State-are set to collide in what’s shaping up to be the most anticipated dual meet of the 2025-26 season.
Both teams are undefeated, both are loaded with top-tier talent, and both are eyeing national supremacy. This isn’t just a Big Ten battle-it’s a potential national championship preview.
And for Penn State, dominance has been the name of the game.
Nittany Lions: A Dynasty in Motion
Penn State has been on an absolute tear this season. Through nine duals, they haven’t just won-they’ve suffocated opponents.
No team has cracked double digits against them, and several-including Oklahoma, North Dakota State, Stanford, Rutgers, and Northwestern-failed to score a single point. The only blemish, if you can even call it that, was a 7-point showing by Wyoming back on December 13.
At 9-0 overall and 3-0 in the Big Ten, the Nittany Lions are rolling. They’ll look to keep that momentum going with a Friday night matchup against Indiana on January 23, followed by conference tilts against Maryland, Nebraska, and Michigan. Then comes the showdown with the Buckeyes under the lights at the Bryce Jordan Center.
Buckeyes Bringing the Heat
Ohio State isn’t just along for the ride-they’re bringing serious firepower of their own. The Buckeyes are 12-0 and have consistently proven they belong in the national title conversation. While Penn State has more Top 10-ranked wrestlers, Ohio State’s lineup is deep and dangerous.
According to the latest FloWrestling rankings (as of January 19), Penn State boasts four wrestlers in the Top 10:
- Mitchell Mesenbrink (No. 1 at 165 lbs)
- Levi Haines (No. 1 at 174 lbs)
- Shayne Van Ness (No. 1 at 149 lbs)
- Josh Barr (No. 1 at 197 lbs)
Ohio State counters with Jesse Mendez, ranked No. 1 at 141 lbs, and a lineup that’s packed with top-five talent across multiple weights.
Star-Studded Matchups Across the Board
If you’re a wrestling fan, this dual is a dream. Nearly every bout features nationally ranked wrestlers, and several are potential NCAA finals previews. Here’s a look at the projected matchups:
- 125 lbs: No. 1 Luke Lilledahl (PSU) vs.
No. 2 Nic Bouzakis (OSU)
- 133 lbs: No. 4 Marcus Blaze (PSU) vs.
No. 2 Ben Davino (OSU)
- 141 lbs: No. 11 Braeden Davis (PSU) vs.
No. 1 Jesse Mendez (OSU)
- 149 lbs: No. 1 Shayne Van Ness (PSU) vs.
No. 4 Ethan Stiles (OSU)
- 157 lbs: No. 3 PJ Duke (PSU) vs.
No. 1 Brandon Cannon (OSU)
- 165 lbs: No. 1 Mitchell Mesenbrink (PSU) vs.
No. 18 Paddy Gallagher (OSU)
- 174 lbs: No. 1 Levi Haines (PSU) vs.
No. 4 Carson Kharchla (OSU)
- 184 lbs: No. 1 Rocco Welsh (PSU) vs.
No. 5 Dylan Fishback (OSU)
- 197 lbs: No. 1 Josh Barr (PSU) vs.
No. 10 Luke Geog (OSU)
- 285 lbs: No. 12 Cole Mirasola (PSU) vs.
No. 3 Nick Feldman (OSU)
This isn’t just a dual meet-it’s a showcase of elite collegiate wrestling. With five No. 1-ranked wrestlers in the Penn State lineup and multiple top-five matchups across the board, the Bryce Jordan Center is going to be electric.
What’s at Stake
Beyond bragging rights and Big Ten positioning, this dual will have major implications for individual seeding at the NCAA Championships and the overall team race. For Penn State, it’s a chance to reaffirm its place as the gold standard in college wrestling. For Ohio State, it’s an opportunity to make a serious statement and potentially take over the top spot.
Tune in at 7 p.m. ET on February 13 on the Big Ten Network.
Expect fireworks, high-level technique, and a packed house in Happy Valley. This is what college wrestling is all about.