Missouri Tigers: Why Missouri fans still hate Kansas

The rivalry between the Missouri Tigers and Kansas Jayhawks was the stuff of legends. Even though the Border War is no longer contested, there is still plenty of contempt for KU from the Mizzou fan base.

I want to say this one thing: college sports are absolutely riveting when played out under the proper circumstances.

The traditions and pageantry are great, but it’s the rivalries that truly make things special. The passion for one’s own team coupled with intense dislike for another. That’s what truly takes the game to another level.

A good rivalry can get your pulse racing and your palms sweating. Before you know it, you’re on the edge of your seat hanging onto every single moment.

For 120 years, the Missouri Tigers and the Kansas Jayhawks were engaged in that kind of rivalry. Then, in 2012, the Border War (or Showdown if you rather) met an unceremonious end as the Tigers announced their move to the Southeastern Conference.

Growing up as the son of a proud Mizzou alum, it always seemed academic for me to root for the Tigers. As such, it was ingrained in me early that part of being a Tiger fan is disliking the Jayhawks. For me, that rivalry didn’t end when the Missouri Tigers left the Big 12. Even though the teams no longer play the other, I still find myself rooting against Kansas just as my dad taught me.

It’s common knowledge that the Missouri – Kansas rivalry has roots in the Civil War. While that’s a cool little fact, it’s not the biggest reason for Tiger fans to still dislike the Jayhawks today.

Every season begins the same way with KU fans automatically crowning the Jayhawks as Big 12 champions before playing a game.

KU is Good…And its Fans Won’t Let You Forget It

Being a fan of the Missouri Tigers is never an easy proposition.

As long-suffering Mizzou fans know, you’re always looking for the proverbial monster lurking around the bend. Even though the 2017 – 2018 season seems promising for Mizzou athletics, I am afraid to get my hopes up. The wounds of 2007, 2012, and 2013 are still much too raw.

That’s part of why the yearly successes of Kansas can be so frustrating for Missouri fans. It’s not easy to see a rival consistently achieving high levels of success while those same successes elude your team.

An unfortunate side effect of Kansas being so good is that it gives its fan base plenty of opportunities to crow about it. I would never say this is the entire fan base as I consider some hardcore Kansas fans to be among my best friends. However, there is at least a vocal minority that becomes insufferable when spouting KU’s successes.

Despite the best efforts of Mizzou to keep the Border War alive after moving to the SEC, Kansas consistently shot down every overture that was made.

Every season begins the same way with KU fans automatically crowning the Jayhawks as Big 12 champions before playing a game. Even in victory, these fans are never satisfied. Instead, they dissect their team’s flaws and complain about not winning by wider margins.

It’s those levels of smugness that leads many a Missouri fan to root against the Jayhawks at every turn. During tournament season, it’s no shock to see Tiger faithful waving the banners for the likes of Bucknell and Bradley against the Jayhawks.

Hopefully Missouri Tigers fans don’t find themselves guilty of the same hubris this upcoming basketball season. If so, please cut us a break. It’s been a long time since Mizzou fans had anything to cheer about on the court.

Who Refuses to Play Who Again?

As far as I’m concerned, the final game in the Border War occurred on February 25, 2012 in Lawrence, KS. Sure, there’s been a handful of matchups in softball, volleyball, and soccer but nothing that matches the vitriol of football and basketball.

Despite the best efforts of Mizzou to keep the Border War alive after moving to the SEC, Kansas consistently shot down every overture that was made. Of course, Kansas had its own reasons for doing so per KUSports.com.

"” The leaders in the Kansas athletic department — most notably head basketball coach Bill Self and athletic director Sheahon Zenger — have made it abundantly clear that it is their belief that Mizzou was the one that chose to end the rivalry by leaving for the SEC and Kansas does not owe the Tigers any sort of good will when it comes to the idea of bringing it back.”"

For any MU or KU fans hoping that the Big 12 – SEC Challenge might reignite the Border War, it’s probably time to let go of that pipe dream. Bill Self said as much in an interview with the Lawrence Journal – World as recently as 2013 when questioned if the idea had been presented.

More from KC Kingdom

"“That would never come up,” Self said. “I don’t think Texas is going to play (Texas) A&M; either.”"

I realize this is a hot-button topic with differing points of view on each side. As a Missouri Tigers fan though, it’s easy to view Kansas’ response as petulant in nature. To the black and gold faithful, it essentially screams “we’re mad (and/or jealous) you’re leaving so we’re taking our ball and going home”.

Is There a Future For the Rivalry?

Unfortunately, Missouri and Kansas seem likely to remain at an impasse as to whether the two schools play again. However, I earnestly hope the rivalry between Missouri and Kansas continues even if the two schools aren’t playing each other. You know that a rivalry is special if the fan bases still have disdain for the other despite a lack of action of the court or field.

Missouri fans, consider it your mission to keep the rivalry alive. I plan to teach my daughter to root for Missouri and boo Kansas whenever possible. That is, unless my Husker fan of a wife gets to her first.

To all of the Missouri Tigers and Kansas Jayhawks fans reading, sound off on the comments board. Why do you find yourself disliking the other school so much? Also, what’s your favorite memory of the rivalry?

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