Why a Kansas vs. Missouri bowl game needs to happen

For the first time since 2008, the Kansas Jayhawks are preparing for a bowl game. That in and of itself is something to celebrate after more than a decade of forgetful football.

But there is one thing that could make the game even sweeter – getting a chance to play their favorite foe, the Missouri Tigers.

The Tigers pulled off the upset at home last week against Arkansas to get themselves to 6-6 on the year – which means there is a chance they get paired up with the 6-6 Jayhawks once bowl matchups are officially announced this Sunday.

For that to happen, the two teams would likely need to face off in the AutoZone Liberty Bowl in Memphis, Tennessee.

The matchup makes sense for several reasons.

The goal for these smaller bowl games and their sponsors is to garner as much interest as possible because that means making as much money as possible.

I can’t think of a more intriguing matchup to drive ticket sales for a low-level bowl game than two schools with a rivalry (one of the oldest in college football) that dates back to 1891.

Because of the long bowl drought, Kansas fans were likely going to have a nice showing regardless of who their opponent was. But getting matched up with Missouri should increase that exponentially.

Getting paired up with Kansas will likely encourage more Missouri fans to attend as well.

Missouri has been to and played in several of these type of bowl games in recent years, having finished with 6 or 7 regular season wins in four of the past six seasons.

Attending that same type of bowl game again – so close to the Christmas holiday – may not be an intriguing prospect for many Missouri faithful. But if that game is against Kansas, you can bet that Tiger fans will show up.

Attendance would also likely be strong because of how relatively easy of a drive it would be for both KU and MU fans.

The Liberty Bowl, which is played at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium in Memphis, is less than an eight-hour drive from Lawrence and less than a six-hour drive from Columbia.

Even if there are fans who can’t or choose not to attend in person, this matchup would bring a lot of TV and streaming views (from both KU and MU fans and non-KU and MU fans) – which would be a win for the conferences, teams, and AutoZone.

Many of these types of bowl games can be duds due to the lackluster teams involved. But this matchup would bring a decades-long storyline of rivalry and hate that is worth attending and tuning in for.

We’ll find out if the Jayhawks get to face the Tigers when bowl games are officially announced this Sunday, Dec. 4.