For the first time in 14 years, Oklahoma and Missouri renew one of the Big Eight’s oldest rivalries in Norman. The two sides do so with a lost piece of history hanging over the matchup.
When No. 11 Oklahoma (8-2) hosts Missouri (7-3) on Saturday, it will mark another chapter in a series once defined by its tradition. But the rivalry’s iconic trophy, the Tiger-Sooner Peace Pipe, remains missing fifty years later.
The peace pipe tradition began in 1940, when Dr. John S. Knight, a Missouri alumnus, donated a tomahawk-style ceremonial pipe more than a century old and once belonging to Pawnee Chief White Eagle. Engraved with winners dating back to Oklahoma’s 7-0 victory that year, the indigenous artifact was jointly stewarded by Missouri’s Mystical Seven and Oklahoma’s Pe-Et societies. At halftime, students from both groups would gather in the end zone to share the pipe as a symbol of respect between the schools.
Oklahoma’s dominance starting in the 1940s placed its name on the trophy 19 times. After a tie in 1964, OU ceded the pipe to Missouri in goodwill. Records show the exchange continued through 1974, but by 1975 the tradition vanished, and so did the trophy. OU officials have searched university archives without success
Saturday’s meeting shows how much has changed. Conference realignment pushed Missouri to the SEC in 2012 and Oklahoma officially joined last year. Since reuniting in Columbia in 2024, Missouri has become OU’s most played SEC rival, with Oklahoma ranking second for the Tigers behind only Texas.
On the field, both teams arrive with strong defensive units. Oklahoma ranks 11th nationally in total defense (278.4 yards allowed per game) and is elite against the run, giving up just 82.2 yards per game. Missouri comes in with a top-10 defense of its own, allowing 274.7 yards per game and ranking 17th nationally in rushing defense.
Missouri’s ground attack, which is sixth in the FBS at 241.7 yards per game behind Ahmad Hardy’s 1,346 yards and 15 touchdowns goes against an Oklahoma offense ranked first nationally in red-zone efficiency. Quarterback John Mateer leads the Sooners with 2,087 passing yards and eight touchdowns.
The peace pipe may never resurface. But the rivalry it once represented is alive again in the SEC.
Oklahoma hosts Missouri on Saturday (Noon ET, ABC).
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