BORDER SHOWDOWN RETURNS: KANSAS VS MISSOURI

Ajay Allen - July 29, 2025

The wait is over. After 15 long years, one of college football’s most historic rivalries is finally returning to the gridiron. On September 6, 2025, the Kansas Jayhawks will travel to Columbia to take on the Missouri Tigers in a revival of the Border Showdown, one of the oldest rivalries in the sport.

The last time these two teams met on the football field was in 2011, and now, after a decade and a half of tension and trash talk, the pads are coming back on and the state lines are being redrawn.

Back in 2011, the atmosphere was electric. That game, held at Arrowhead Stadium, saw Missouri rally from an early 10-point deficit to defeat Kansas 24-10. That victory gave Missouri the all time lead in the series, which now stands at 57–54–9.

The matchup capped off their Big 12 era before Mizzou made the leap to the SEC, leaving a bitter taste for Jayhawk fans who hoped for continued annual meetings.

While the basketball rivalry resumed in recent years, the football rivalry has been frozen in time until now. This season’s rekindling of the Border Showdown will be held at Missouri’s Faurot Field, adding a new layer of tension. Missouri fans are known for creating one of the more passionate atmospheres in the SEC, and they’ve waited over a decade to see Kansas return to their field. A sea of black and gold will be ready to shake the stadium from the opening kickoff. With tickets already in high demand, it’s shaping up to be one of the most anticipated non-conference games of the year.

Both teams come into the season with high expectations and plenty of intrigue. Missouri, coming off a solid 2024 season, enters with a projected win total around 7.5 games. The Tigers bring an SEC identity built on physicality and a conservative but effective offensive approach. Their line play has steadily improved over the past few seasons, and they’re anchored by a strong front seven that prides itself on stopping the run. Head coach Eli Drinkwitz has emphasized toughness and discipline, and the Tigers look poised to contend in the SEC East if they can build momentum early.

Kansas, meanwhile, has quietly built one of the more exciting rosters in the Big 12. With a recent focus on speed and versatility, the Jayhawks are no longer the conference doormat they were once assumed to be. Under head coach Lance Leipold, Kansas has recruited with purpose and developed talent effectively. The offense returns a mobile quarterback with dual threat capabilities and a backfield that can break off big plays at any moment. The Jayhawks’ receiving corps is young but dynamic, and their defense, while still developing, has shown flashes of being able to force turnovers and flip field position.

And then there’s the emotion. This game isn’t just another early season contest. It’s a rivalry built on over a century of history, dating back to their first meeting in 1891. It is a reflection of not only college football culture but regional pride, with roots in the Civil War era tensions between the states of Kansas and Missouri. The animosity is real, the passion is deep, and every player, coach, and fan understands what’s at stake, even if they weren’t born the last time these teams faced off on the field.

There’s also pride in bragging rights. Neither side wants to be the one who blinked first after the long hiatus. In many ways, this 2025 clash will feel like a fresh start and a continuation at the same time. Both programs are different than they were in 2011, but the core of what makes this rivalry special remains.

With college football in a constant state of evolution, the return of the Border Showdown is a comforting reminder of what makes the sport great. It’s not just about rankings or stats, It’s about moments. It’s about neighbors with opposing flags on their porches. It’s about history, and the kind of games you remember long after the gameclock hits zero.

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