Yeah, I know, it's not a new discussion.
Honestly, though, I can't figure out why a large portion of the Mizzou fanbase wouldn't be in favor of the game.
I'll start by saying that no, Mizzou doesn't NEED kansas. That's correct, they don't. But they don't need WVU, EMU, Delaware St, or Middle Tennessee, either. They also didn't NEED Illinois for several years... BUT, those were some DAMN fun games to attend or watch with friends on ESPN, weren't they? They were season-openers that garnered attention for both schools, as they were usually some of the better 1st-week games available for viewing -- I mean, who doesn't love watching Ohio State blow the doors off of Bowling Green, or Louisville dismantling Charlotte, or Baylor creaming Northwestern St?
All I hear on PowerMizzou is, "Why doesn't the administration schedule non-conference games that will get the fans excited?" Well, kU would check that box, without question. In fact, I don't think there could possibly be a more exciting game to open the season with as a Mizzou fan than the old Border War. Yeah, the product may not always be the best on the field, but we KNOW how much the pure hatred of this rivalry drives the pure adrenaline and excitement of the game, for fans and players alike. I'd venture to guess that 9/10 fans who attended both the '07 MU/kU game at Arrowhead and 2010's toppling of #1 OU would say that, hands down, MU/kU was the best game they've ever been to. Why? BECAUSE THE TIGERS BEAT KANSAS. Sure, the game catapulted the Tigers to #1 and the B12 Championship game, with a chance for a Natty, but that game was so damn sweet because it happened against kU. No team can replace the raw emotion, the raw hatred, the same way kU does -- although Arkansas is trying.
I don't see this game hurting Mizzou's recruiting, it's logistically friendly for both schools -- could be played at Arrowhead or home and home, year-to-year -- and it's an historic game that likely gets Mizzou one more nationally-televised game to start the season each year. Personally, I like having the first game against a peer school, as well, as it gives you a little better idea of what really needs to be worked on earlier in the year than a game against a blood donor does.
So, other than the same old "Mizzou doesn't need kU" argument, why not get this game going again? What does Mizzou have to lose?
Honestly, though, I can't figure out why a large portion of the Mizzou fanbase wouldn't be in favor of the game.
I'll start by saying that no, Mizzou doesn't NEED kansas. That's correct, they don't. But they don't need WVU, EMU, Delaware St, or Middle Tennessee, either. They also didn't NEED Illinois for several years... BUT, those were some DAMN fun games to attend or watch with friends on ESPN, weren't they? They were season-openers that garnered attention for both schools, as they were usually some of the better 1st-week games available for viewing -- I mean, who doesn't love watching Ohio State blow the doors off of Bowling Green, or Louisville dismantling Charlotte, or Baylor creaming Northwestern St?
All I hear on PowerMizzou is, "Why doesn't the administration schedule non-conference games that will get the fans excited?" Well, kU would check that box, without question. In fact, I don't think there could possibly be a more exciting game to open the season with as a Mizzou fan than the old Border War. Yeah, the product may not always be the best on the field, but we KNOW how much the pure hatred of this rivalry drives the pure adrenaline and excitement of the game, for fans and players alike. I'd venture to guess that 9/10 fans who attended both the '07 MU/kU game at Arrowhead and 2010's toppling of #1 OU would say that, hands down, MU/kU was the best game they've ever been to. Why? BECAUSE THE TIGERS BEAT KANSAS. Sure, the game catapulted the Tigers to #1 and the B12 Championship game, with a chance for a Natty, but that game was so damn sweet because it happened against kU. No team can replace the raw emotion, the raw hatred, the same way kU does -- although Arkansas is trying.
I don't see this game hurting Mizzou's recruiting, it's logistically friendly for both schools -- could be played at Arrowhead or home and home, year-to-year -- and it's an historic game that likely gets Mizzou one more nationally-televised game to start the season each year. Personally, I like having the first game against a peer school, as well, as it gives you a little better idea of what really needs to be worked on earlier in the year than a game against a blood donor does.
So, other than the same old "Mizzou doesn't need kU" argument, why not get this game going again? What does Mizzou have to lose?
