Penn State vs. Ohio State Wrestling Showdown 2026: Start Time, TV Channel & Key Matchups Fans Can’t Miss

Tonight’s clash between No. 1 Penn State and No. 2 Ohio State has all the makings of the Big Ten’s dual meet of the year. The Bryce Jordan Center in University Park is sold out for the 7 p.m. ET start, which airs live on Big Ten Network and streams on the FOX Sports app. Both teams enter 11-0, and the winner will seize control of the conference title race and the inside track to the No. 1 seed at the NCAA Championships. Key matchups to watch • 125 lb: Luke Lilledahl (PSU, 15-1) vs. Nic Bouzakis (OSU, 12-1) – former Wyoming Seminary teammates ranked 1 and 4 nationally. Lilledahl’s slick leg attacks meet Bouzakis’ upper-body power in a bout that could flip early momentum. • 133 lb: Marcus Blaze (PSU, 17-0) vs. Ben Davino (OSU, 22-0) – a rivalry dating to youth nationals. Blaze has won the last three, but Davino owns the most recent folkstyle victory. • 141 lb: Two-time NCAA champion Jesse Mendez (OSU) looks to pour on bonus points against All-American Braeden Davis. • 174 lb: Levi Haines (PSU) and Carson Kharchla (OSU) went to the wire last season; another tight scrap could decide whether the Buckeyes stay alive late. • 285 lb: Heavyweights Nick Feldman (OSU) and Cole Mirasola (PSU) are among the division’s most offensive big men; Feldman won 10-3 a year ago and is favored again. Projected lineups (rankings FloWrestling) PSU – 1 Lilledahl, 4 Blaze, 13 Davis, 1 Van Ness, 4 Duke, 1 Mesenbrink, 1 Haines, 1 Welsh, 1 Barr, 8 Mirasola OSU – 4 Bouzakis, 2 Davino, 1 Mendez, 9 Stiles, Desselle/Chase, 14 Gallagher, 5 Kharchla, 8 Fishback, 11 Geog, 3 Feldman. Why it matters • Streaks: Penn State has won 55 straight duals dating to 2022, while Ohio State owns its best start since the 2018 NCAA runner-up campaign. • Bonus points: The Nittany Lions lead Division I in tech falls; the Buckeyes in pins. Whichever team converts its signature style may break the meet open. • Recruiting bragging rights: A combined 15 starters were top-10 recruits; tonight doubles as a showcase for two of the sport’s most successful pipelines. • Trophy implications: Both squads finish the Big Ten schedule this weekend; the dual winner can clinch at least a share of the regular-season crown Sunday. How to watch and follow TV: Big Ten Network (7 p.m. ET) Streaming: FOX Sports app with cable login Live stats & play-by-play: TrackWrestling, NCAA.com live blog Social: #PSUvsOSU, @pennstatewrest, @wrestlingbucks Prediction Most analysts give Penn State the edge at seven of ten weights, with bonus-point threats Mitchell Mesenbrink (165), Shayne Van Ness (149) and Josh Barr (197) expected to pad the score. If Ohio State can sweep the first three weights and steal either 174 or 184, an upset is possible. Otherwise, look for Cael Sanderson’s lineup depth to carry a 29-8 victory and keep the Nittany Lions atop the polls. SEO keywords: Penn State vs Ohio State wrestling 2026, how to watch Penn State wrestling, live stream PSU vs OSU, Big Ten wrestling dual, Penn State Ohio State lineups, Bryce Jordan Center wrestling.