Kansas-Missouri Football Rivalry Returns with 2024 Columbia Clash

Kansas football, under head coach Lance Leipold, showed significant improvement in the latter half of last season after a challenging start, finishing 5-7 with notable wins over ranked teams. Leipold emphasized that the team's turnaround stemmed from consistent effort, strong leadership, and growing confidence rather than changes in their process. Looking ahead to 2025, the Jayhawks have a favorable schedule with four of their first five games at home, which could help build early momentum toward a potential eight-win season. A major highlight for Kansas in 2025 is the renewal of the Border War rivalry with Missouri, a game not played since 2011, with a notable matchup in Columbia on September 6. Leipold acknowledged that he initially underestimated the intensity of the Kansas-Missouri rivalry compared to the Kansas-Kansas State rivalry but now understands its significance to fans and players alike. Both schools have arranged a home-and-home series, with the Tigers hosting in 2025 and the Jayhawks hosting in 2026, marking a special return for this historic college football rivalry.