The Border Showdown between the Kansas Jayhawks and Missouri Tigers is back and it feels like it never went away. The last time these two teams met in football was 2011, the final year Missouri was a part of the Big 12 conference before they took off to the SEC.
That game was the finale of a five-year stretch in Kansas City at Arrowhead Stadium. Mizzou took that final game 24-10, a season in which the Jayhawks were coached by Turner Gill and went 0-9 in conference play. It was one of many forgettable seasons for the Jayhawks football team, but it was the end of an era with this rivalry game being disbanded at the hands of the Tigers.
Missouri holds a 56-55-9 series lead over the Jayhawks, which makes this year’s matchup even more intriguing in historical context. A win for Kansas would pull the Jayhawks even in the all-time series. A few years ago, there was hope the teams would meet in a bowl game, but it was rumored Missouri head coach Eli Drinkwitz was ducking the Jayhawks. There will be no ducking on Saturday in Columbia as the Tigers host the Jayhawks for the first time since 2006.
This is more than a Border Showdown; this is a Border War. The hatred between these two states, schools, alums, and fanbases goes deep, and it stems all the way back to the Civil War. Yes, it goes all the way back to the 1850s and early 1860s, 30 years before football would be played between schools.
The Jayhawkers were anti-slavery and wanted Kansas to remain a free state. While Bushwackers from Missouri tried to get Kansas to welcome slavery, it did not end well, with much of the city of Lawrence being burned to the ground by William Quantrill and other Bushwackers and Confederate backers. James Henry Lane and John Brown became two of the most well-known Jayhawkers of their time, helping to cement Kansas as a free state and member of the Union.
We all know who came out on the right side of history in that war. There is no debating that. If you are a Mizzou fan and want to convince yourself otherwise, talk amongst yourselves, but you lost the war. Freedom won and the state of Missouri, the Bushwackers and Confederacy were on the wrong side of history. That’s just the facts.
More facts: Missouri’s fleeing the Big 12 was a cowardly move. Were they on the wrong side of history? I guess it is too soon to say at this point since we are still in the middle of this era of college athletics. However, being part of the era that ruined rivalries will always be a black eye on the University of Missouri. The Tigers were a part of the problem, and that is undeniable.
The historical ties run deep, but how are things looking heading into this week’s game between the Jayhawks and Tigers?
Kansas has played two games and has looked excellent on both sides of the ball in each game. Quarterback Jalon Daniels looks like he is playing the best ball of his career, and when he is on top of his game, KU can play with and beat anybody. The new wide receiver group has looked like there has been no drop-off from last year’s core group of seniors. The defense was a bit of a question mark, but they have more than held their own through two games. If both sides continue to play like this, an upset win could be in play on Saturday in Columbia.
Missouri only has one game under its belt, but it dominated an inferior Central Arkansas team 61-6. One big question mark was answered, and that is the quarterback position for the Tigers. Sam Horn went down with an injury in the first quarter, and Beau Pribula, who was expected to play most of the second half in what was going to be a quarterback split in Week 1, played well and will be the starter moving forward. The defense looks stout and will be looking to limit an explosive Kansas offense.
Missouri is about a touchdown favorite early in the week over the Jayhawks. It’s a home game for the Tigers. It makes sense that they are the favorite. Don’t overlook these Jayhawks. It’s a rivalry game that is being renewed. The players will be ready and the fans will be as fired up as ever.
Fans in Lawrence who are looking for a spot to watch the game this Saturday, look no further than the watch party being hosted at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium. According to Kansas Athletics, The Booth will open at 1:30 and will be free to attend. Self-guided tours around the new stadium as well as family fun on the field will be part of the experience. Many of the new food options will be open and available around the stadium throughout the event as well.
As the hype continues to build through the week, Kansas and Missouri will be well on their way to a meaningful game on Saturday. While conference standings won’t be at stake, bragging rights and a continued undefeated season will be top-of-mind for all involved. Don’t be shocked if Kansas pulls off the upset in Columbia behind a stellar performance from Daniels and the offense. The game kicks off at 2:30 and will be televised on ESPN2.
