OU to Stay in Big 12 as Affiliate Member for Wrestling

Bedlam will continue in at least one sport.

Oklahoma announced Thursday that even after the university leaves for the SEC this summer, its wrestling program will still stay in the Big 12 as an affiliate member. The Big 12’s governance group voted to approve the decision.

The Big 12 is full of affiliate members in wrestling, including Air Force, Cal Baptist, Missouri, Northern Colorado, North Dakota State, Northern Iowa, South Dakota State, Utah Valley and Wyoming. The decision by OU, along with Missouri making the same move in 2021, means both SEC schools with a wrestling program will compete in the Big 12.

Arizona State will also join the conference in wrestling next year with its move from the Pac-12.

OU remaining in the Big 12 means Bedlam will continue in the sport as it dies in every other sport unless the schools schedule each other in nonconference play. Fittingly, the Bedlam rivalry began in wrestling.

Oklahoma State has won the last 17 straight Bedlam matchups, having not lost to its rival since 2013.