The University of Missouri Football: Tradition, Rivalries, and the Road Ahead

The University of Missouri (Mizzou) football program boasts a rich history dating back to 1890. With 37 bowl game appearances, including 11 major bowl appearances (four Orange Bowls, four Cotton Bowls, two Sugar Bowls, and one Fiesta Bowl), the Tigers have solidified their place in college football lore. They have secured 15 conference titles and 5 division titles, showcasing their competitive spirit and gridiron prowess.

A Legacy of Leadership

The program has seen several head coaches guide the team. Barry Odom took over as head coach for the 2016 season, following Pinkel's retirement. Since the 2020 football season, the team has been coached by Eliah Drinkwitz.

National Recognition

Although Missouri has never been selected as a “Consensus National Champion” by any of the six NCAA-designated polls, the Tigers were selected as national champions by one NCAA-designated major selector in both 1960 and 2007.

Conference Affiliations

The Tigers were previously members of the Big 12 North division between its inception in 1996 and the dissolution of conference divisions within the Big 12 in 2011. The Tigers joined the SEC as members of the SEC East starting in 2012. From 2012 to 2023, Missouri played in the East Division of the SEC and played each opponent in the division each year along with several teams from the West Division.

Historic Rivalries

Missouri's football program is defined by its intense rivalries, some of which stretch back over a century. These matchups are not just games; they are deeply ingrained in the culture and history of the university and its fans.

The Border War vs. Kansas

Missouri leads the series with Kansas 58-54-9 through the 2025 season, but Kansas fans argue that the real record is still Missouri leading, but 57-55-9. This is because of a forfeit that Kansas counts as a Missouri loss, but Missouri counts as a Kansas loss due to the forefiet. With history dating back to Bleeding Kansas in the 1850s, the "Border War" rivalry is well known as one of the longest-lasting and fiercest rivalries in college sports.

Battle Line Rivalry vs. Arkansas

Missouri and Arkansas first met in 1906 in Columbia, Missouri, and played each other five times prior to Missouri joining the SEC in 2012, and then becoming Arkansas' permanent cross-division rival in 2014. The annual meeting was dubbed the Battle Line Rivalry.

Showdown vs. Oklahoma

Oklahoma leads the series 67-25-5 through the 2024 season. From 1940 through 1974, the teams played for the Tiger-Sooner Peace Pipe trophy. The rivalry was renewed in 2024, as the teams are members of the same conference again.

The Mayor's Cup vs. Illinois

A new rivalry was started in 2012 when Missouri joined the SEC East. The rivalry between Missouri and Illinois is modeled after the two schools' longstanding basketball rivalry, and it garners the most interest around St. Louis, with both schools having alumni and fans in the area. It has not been played annually, with 24 matchups occurring from 1896 to 2010, with Missouri leading the series 17-7. Between 2000 and 2010, the schools met in St. Louis six times, with Missouri winning each time.

Matchup vs. Iowa State

Missouri and Iowa State first met in 1896 and the regional rivalry was born. Before the 1959 match-up between the two schools, which took place in Ames, Iowa, field testing showed that the telephones the two schools used to communicate with their coaches in the coaches' box were wired so that either school could hear what was happening on the other sideline. The problem was fixed before the game, but neither of the two coaches knew that.

Series vs. Kansas State

Separated by 245 miles, these bordering state rivals have played 99 times dating back to their first meeting in 1909. The schools were members of the old Big Eight Conference from 1928 to 1995 and the modern Big 12 Conference from 1996 to 2011. After Missouri left the Big 12 to join the Southeastern Conference in 2012, the annual rivalry went on hiatus.

Memorable Seasons: The 2024 Season

Missouri's 2024 schedule included a mix of home and away games, showcasing their competitiveness in the SEC and beyond. Here's a recap of their games:

vs CARK Central Arkansas W 61-65 7,321 Memorial Stadium/Faurot Field
vs KUKansas W 42-31 57,321 Memorial Stadium/Faurot Field
vs ULL Louisiana W 52-10 57,321 Memorial Stadium/Faurot Field
vs SCAR South Carolina W 29-20 57,321 Memorial Stadium/Faurot Field
vs MASS UMass W 42-6 57,321 Memorial Stadium/Faurot Field
vs 8ALA 8Alabama L 27-24 57,321 Memorial Stadium/Faurot Field
at AUBAuburn W 23-17 OT 88,043 Jordan-Hare Stadium
at 10VAN 10Vanderbilt L 17-10 35,000 FirstBank Stadium
vs 3TAM 3Texas A&M L 38-17 57,321 Memorial Stadium/Faurot Field
vs MSST Mississippi State W 49-27 57,321 Memorial Stadium/Faurot Field
at 8OKLA 8Oklahoma L 17-6 83,541 Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium
at ARK Arkansas W 31-17 61,508 Donald W.

All-American Recognition

Missouri has produced 16 Consensus All Americans with 15 total individuals being recognized. Jeremy Maclin won the honor in two different seasons. Missouri also has three Unanimous All Americans.

Traditions and Spirit

Truman the Tiger

Truman the Tiger was introduced as the school's mascot against the Utah State Aggies in 1986, receiving his name from former president Harry S Truman.

The Birthplace of Homecoming

The NCAA recognizes the University of Missouri as the birthplace of Homecoming, an event which became a national tradition in college football. The history of the University of Missouri Homecoming can be traced back to the 1911 Kansas vs. Missouri football game.

Read also: History of the Block 'M'

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