The Kansas football team will renew its most passionate rivalry on Saturday when it visits the Missouri Tigers. It is the first time the schools have played in the Border War in football since 2011, when Mizzou left the Big 12 for the SEC.
The Jayhawks (2-0) and the Tigers (1-0) are undefeated and ready to rumble. All three combined victories against inferior competition were blowouts, so it is harder to judge how they might do against better opponents. Neither team is ranked in the latest AP Poll.
Kansas Jayhawks vs. Missouri Tigers: 3 bold predictions
No. 3: KU will contain the Tigers’ potent rushing attack
Mizzou racked up 219 yards on the ground against Central Arkansas, on 38 carries. Ahmad Hardy led the way, with 100 yards on just 10 rushes. Beau Pribula added 65 yards on 10 carries of his own.
The Jayhawks have been dominant against the run so far. Their two opponents netted only 90 total yards on the ground on 57 carries. Even considering the opposition, the KU defense has outperformed expectations in its first two games.
The Jayhawks will be missing senior transfer Bangally Kamara due to injury, but KU may have the depth to overcome the absence of their talented linebacker.
No. 2: Kansas quarterback Jalon Daniels will not throw an interception
The errant throw has been the Achilles heel for Daniels in the past, but he’s looked good in 2025. He did misfire on one pass in the endzone against Wagner, but otherwise has been brilliant so far.
If he can avoid the types of turnovers that plagued him a year ago, his confidence will grow, and it will make Kansas that much more competitive. If he doesn’t throw any picks against Mizzou, the Jayhawks will be in a good position to win.
No. 3: Kansas wins a close one at Missouri in an upset
The Jayhawks are a substantial 6.5-point underdog, according to BetMGM, so it will be a relatively big upset when KU wins on Saturday. This is a heated rivalry, and the Jayhawks are hungry. It will be a huge signature game for this program.
It is well known how poorly Kansas performed for more than a decade between former head coaches Mark Mangino and Lance Leipold. This win could catapult KU into conference play and give them plenty of momentum to be a surprise contender in the Big 12 race.
Kansas vs. Missouri: Quick game info
The game will be broadcast on ESPN 2 and streamed on FuboTV. It starts at 2:30 p.m. CDT on Saturday, September 6.
Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.