Most rivalries are built on proximity or a stolen trophy. This one? It was built on gunpowder. If you grew up anywhere near the I-70 corridor between Columbia and Lawrence, you know that missouri tigers football vs kansas jayhawks football isn't just a game. It's an inheritance.
Honestly, the "Border War" label isn't even hyperbole. Before there were ever shoulder pads or helmets, there were actual militias. The "Tigers" were a local home guard formed to protect Columbia from guerrilla raids. The "Jayhawkers" were free-state militants from Kansas. When the schools first met on a football field in 1891, the Civil War veterans in the stands weren't cheering for a point spread. They were looking at the guys who, thirty years prior, might have been trying to kill them.
That edge never really left. Even after a 13-year hiatus caused by Missouri’s move to the SEC, the return of this series in 2025 proved one thing: time doesn’t heal all wounds. Sometimes, it just lets them fester.
The 1960 Controversy: The Wound That Won’t Close
If you want to understand why these fanbases can't agree on basic math, look at the 1960 season. It’s the ultimate "choose your own adventure" in sports history.
Kansas went into Columbia and beat the top-ranked, undefeated Tigers 23-7. It was a massive upset. But then things got messy. The Big Eight conference later ruled that Kansas used an ineligible player named Bert Coan. They forced Kansas to forfeit the win.
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Missouri counts that as a victory. Kansas? Absolutely not. They still claim that win to this day. This is why, if you check the official record books at both schools, the all-time series numbers don't match.
- Missouri's count: 58-54-9
- Kansas's count: 55-56-9
It is the most "Border War" thing ever to have two different sets of facts for the same history.
Why Missouri Tigers Football vs Kansas Jayhawks Football Still Matters
You've got people who say rivalries are dying because of conference realignment. They're usually right. But this one feels like the exception that proves the rule. When Mizzou left for the SEC in 2012, the football series went cold. For over a decade, fans had to survive on memories and the occasional basketball scrap.
The 2025 renewal at Faurot Field was a reminder of what was missing. Missouri walked away with a 42-31 win, but the score was almost secondary to the atmosphere. It was loud. It was mean. It felt like college football is supposed to feel—personal.
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The 2007 "Game of the Century" (Sorta)
We can't talk about this matchup without mentioning November 24, 2007. It was #2 Kansas vs. #3 Missouri at Arrowhead Stadium. The winner was basically guaranteed a spot in the national title hunt.
Think about that. Two programs that usually play second fiddle to basketball or blue-blood football powers were the center of the entire universe for one night. Missouri won 36-28 behind Chase Daniel, but the image of Todd Reesing getting sacked in the end zone for a safety is burned into the retinas of every Tiger fan over the age of thirty.
The Stolen Drum and Feathers
The traditions are just as weird as the history. There's an Indian War Drum that gets traded back and forth—though it's a replacement for the original that disappeared years ago. Then there's the Tiger statue on Mizzou’s campus. Whenever the Jayhawks come to town, you’ll likely find blue and red feathers stuffed into the Tiger’s mouth. It's petty. It's small. It's perfect.
Looking Ahead: The 2026 Rematch in Lawrence
The 2025 game was just the kickoff of a four-game agreement. On September 12, 2026, Missouri travels to Lawrence for the first time since 2005.
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David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium is going to be a pressure cooker. For a generation of Kansas students, this will be their first time hosting the "enemy" on their own turf. Missouri is coming off a solid run under Eliah Drinkwitz, but Lance Leipold has turned Kansas into a team that no longer folds under pressure.
The stakes for 2026:
- Recruiting Supremacy: Both teams are fighting over the same four-star kids in St. Louis and Kansas City. A win here is a massive sales pitch.
- The "Big Brother" Narrative: Mizzou fans love to act like they've outgrown the rivalry by moving to the SEC. A loss to Kansas ruins that vibe real quick.
- The Lamar Hunt Trophy: Since 2007, the winner takes home a trophy named after the late Chiefs owner. It’s currently sitting in Columbia. Kansas wants it back.
How to Actually Watch and Enjoy the Rivalry
If you're planning on attending or just following along, don't expect a friendly "good game" atmosphere. This isn't the kind of rivalry where fans tail-gate together and share a beer.
- Wear the right colors: If you're in Columbia, it's Black and Gold. If you're in Lawrence, it's Crimson and Blue. There is no middle ground.
- Check the Vegas lines: These games are notoriously volatile. The underdog has covered the spread or won outright more often than in almost any other major rivalry.
- Follow the local beat writers: National media misses the nuance. Follow the guys at the Columbia Daily Tribune or the Lawrence Journal-World to get the actual temperature of the locker rooms.
Ultimately, this rivalry isn't about stats or "in today's landscape" of NIL. It's about a 150-year-old grudge that found a home on a 100-yard field. Whether you call it the Border War or the Border Showdown, just make sure you’re watching when the ball kicks off in 2026.
If you want to get ready for the next installment, start by looking up the 2007 highlights on YouTube—it’ll give you a better sense of the intensity than any stat sheet ever could.