This is College football’s oldest rivalry west of the Mississippi...
It's back.
The Border War is here.
On Saturday in Columbia, the Kansas Jayhawks and Missouri Tigers will mix it up for the first time since 2011, resuming a football rivalry that stretches more than a century and has roots far beyond the gridiron.
The matchup was once an annual battle, drawing sellout crowds and dividing households across the Midwest. Missouri leads the all-time series 57-54-9, with the last meeting ending in a 24-10 Tigers victory before they departed the Big 12 for the SEC. Now, after 14 years apart, the rivalry returns with as much passion as ever.
Rivalry history runs deep
The Kansas–Missouri feud dates back to the 19th century, tied to the Civil War-era border clashes between Kansas “Jayhawkers” and Missouri “Bushwhackers.” Over time, the animosity carried onto the football field.
Some of the rivalry’s most memorable moments came in the modern era:
In 2007, both teams were ranked in the top five when they clashed at Arrowhead Stadium with a trip to the Big 12 Championship on the line. Missouri’s 36-28 win remains one of the most high-stakes meetings in the series.
Kansas has produced its own legendary upsets, including a 2004 win in Columbia that derailed Missouri’s bowl hopes.
The games were known not just for the scoreboards, but for the marching bands, fan signs, and the kind of electricity that only a true rivalry can bring.
Kansas looking to stay hot
This year’s Jayhawks bring momentum. Kansas is 2-0 after dominant wins over Fresno State and Wagner, outscoring opponents 77-14. Quarterback Jalon Daniels has looked sharp, completing more than 70 percent of his passes with seven touchdowns in two games. With running back Leshon Williams expected to return from injury, Kansas will lean on its balanced attack to challenge Missouri’s defense.
Coach Lance Leipold, who has rebuilt Kansas into a consistent program, has never coached in this rivalry but understands the weight of it. “You can feel the energy from the fans,” he said. “This game means a lot to a lot of people.”
Missouri ready for the challenge
Missouri opened its season with a statement, crushing Central Arkansas 61-6. Penn State transfer Beau Pribula shined in his first start, throwing for 283 yards and two touchdowns while adding two more on the ground. With weapons like wide receiver Marquis Johnson and running back Ahmad Hardy, the Tigers have the firepower to test Kansas’ defense.
On the other side of the ball, Missouri’s defense gave up just 227 total yards in Week 1 and will look to pressure Daniels into mistakes.
Coach Eli Drinkwitz has long admired the Border War from afar and now gets his first taste on the sidelines. “Anytime you have a rivalry that stirs this much passion, you know your team has to be ready,” he said.
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Bragging rights at stake
For both programs, this game is more than a nonconference matchup. It’s about bragging rights that linger all year. Fans who grew up with the rivalry remember the tension, the noise, and the pride in beating the other side. Saturday will mark a new chapter in a series that has been dormant for more than a decade.
Kickoff is set for 2:30 p.m. CT at Faurot Field. When Kansas and Missouri finally collide again, history will hang heavy over every snap.
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