The Border War for it All

Jason Whitlock of the Kansas City Star nailed it in his column. I lived it, but anyone outside of Kansas and Missouri cannot understand it. The border war between KU and Mizzou is so deep in hatred it cannot be described in words. KU has the superior basketball program and our fan base carries an elitist attitude towards Missouri fans, spawning their incredible inferiority complex. No matter how bad Mizzou is or how good KU is, the games are always close and the Tigers pull at least one stunner a year. Remember KU's great 96-97 season? They entered the NCAA Tournament with only one loss; that was to a .500 Missouri club in double OT in Columbia.

But Saturday's game at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City is different. This is football. This is a game for all the marbles. #2 vs #3. I don't think the nation understands that this is a game that will most likely never happen again. When Kansas agreed to move toe game to Arrowhead, it was solely a financial decision. Even the athletic department would have no clue the game could have ever become this big. As Whitlock put it: The winner of Armageddon at Arrowhead gets lifetime bragging rights. Short of Mizzou and Kansas meeting in the NCAA Final Four, there is no sports victory that will top Saturday’s outcome.

There is so much at stake. A shot at the national title for two schools who never sniff BCS games. A shot at the Heisman Trophy for the winning QB, Chase Daniel of Missouri and Todd Reesing of Kansas. A lifetime of bragging rights for the alumni. All of these years Missouri fans have been treated like KU's little brother, all of that can change with a win Saturday.

As I stated earlier, I have never been the biggest Kansas Football follower, but this game means more to me than any. To be honest, this game would mean much more than a Big 12 title game win over Oklahoma or Texas. There is nothing more satisfying to a KU fan than ending Missouri's season and vise versa. All of those years of meaningless games, eight loss seasons, and blowout losses to the big boys, KU Football is finally playing a game with enormous stakes. Never thought I'd see the day.

Want to know the bad news? On the cover of this week's Sports Illustrated is none other than KU's Kerry Meier under the tagline " Dream Season (so far)." I guess this makes Missouri the favorite now.