For the first time in 14 seasons, the “Border War” between Missouri and Kansas will be played this season. The two programs have not met since 2011, Missouri‘s final season in the Big 12. The Tigers won the last three matchups between the historic rivals by at least two touchdowns. Kansas‘ football program however has enjoyed […]
For the first time in 14 seasons, the “Border War” between Missouri and Kansas will be played this season.
The two programs have not met since 2011, Missouri‘s final season in the Big 12. The Tigers won the last three matchups between the historic rivals by at least two touchdowns. Kansas‘ football program however has enjoyed a resurgence since and has been tabbed as a legit Big 12 Conference Championship contender this season. The Jayhawks opened the 2025 season with a dominant 31-7 win over Fresno State on Aug. 23.
Jayhawk head coach Lance Leipoldopened up on the “Border War” during Tuesday’s edition of “The Jim Rome Show.” He admitted that even he was not aware of how much animosity there is between Kansas and Missouri.
“It’s one of those things that when I first took the job, I didn’t really realize it,” Leipold said about the magnitude of the rivalry. “Even as you have an in-state rival in Kansas State, who has an excellent program, you find out that there’s really more people that have a displeasure in the team across state-lines in Missouri than they did for the in-state school.”
“I’m starting to learn more about it and it’s starting to pick up some fever, but like you said we’v’e got to make sure we keep our focus where it needs to be and I’m sure the excitement will start to pick up game week when we play Missouri.”
Missouri and Kansas have gone in opposite directions since 2012
Since leaving the Big 12, Missouri is 96-68 with four 10-win campaigns and four bowl game victories (2013 Cotton Bowl, 2014 Citrus Bowl, 2023 Cotton Bowl and the 2024 Music City Bowl). Kansas has struggled mightily in that same span, as it is 39-117 with one bowl victory (2023 Guaranteed Rate Bowl). Things are looking up for the Jayhawks in the Lance Leipold era however, as Kansas has won at least five games in three consecutive seasons for the first time since 2007-09.
This year’s edition of the Border War will take place on Sept. 6 at Faurot Field in Columbia, MO. Dating back to 1980, Missouri is 8-5 in games played at home. The last five meetings between the rivals were played in Kansas City, but it returns to home field advantage this season.
Category: General Sports
