On Friday night, the Kansas Jayhawks will welcome the Missouri Tigers to their home field in Lawrence, kicking off the 113th installment of the Border War—a rivalry that has defined college football in the region for more than a century.
Missouri arrives as the No. 25 ranked team and a 6.5‑point favorite in the betting markets, with odds hovering around -114 on FanDuel and -112 on DraftKings, underscoring the disparity in expectations between the two programs.
The series history favors Missouri, which leads 57‑55 overall, and the Jayhawks have not tasted victory over the Tigers since a November 2008 showdown, making this encounter especially meaningful for Kansas fans.
Quarterback Isaiah Marshall, who impressed against Long Island in his most recent outing, now faces a markedly tougher test against an SEC defense that has been dominant all season, adding another layer of intrigue to the contest.
For Kansas, the game is more than a rivalry renewal; a win would secure bowl eligibility and snap a 16‑year drought, aligning the program’s immediate goals with the broader narrative of resurgence.
Looking Ahead
The rivalry has been revitalized in recent years, and while the next meeting is not scheduled until September 2031, the 2026 matchup is slated to be the final one before that long‑awaited return, keeping the stakes high for both sides.