Who Will Win the Final Border War Game?

After an emotional comeback win over Texas Tech without head coach Gary Pinkel Saturday, the Tigers now turn their attention to a game simply known as “The Border War”. And when the Kansas Jayhawks face Mizzou at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, it will be the final time the two teams face off as members of the Big 12, and possibly for the last time altogether. Throughout the week, Zoulogy staff members will be taking a look at the history of the intense rivalry, as well as why it goes beyond just a football game. But for now, let’s take a look at what to expect Saturday afternoon.

Looking at Kansas, it doesn’t take a college football expert to know that the Jayhawks are a bad team. After all, Coach Turner Gill has won just one conference game since being hired before the 2010 campaign, and it is clear that programs who are undergoing a major rebuilding process will take their lumps in the tough environment of Big 12 play. However, for those who are assuming the Tigers will thrash KU in similar fashion to Texas A&M (Who won in a 61-7 rout last week), it is important to realize that the Jayhawks aren’t as dreadful as you might think. Before the blowout in College Station, it seemed as though KU was making some progress in a lost season. They only lost by three at an Iowa State team that recently knocked off Oklahoma State, and nearly upset 25th ranked Baylor at home. In that game, the Bears needed a three-touchdown outburst in the fourth quarter just to force overtime, and barely escaped Lawrence with a 31-30 win.

The biggest problem for the Jayhawks this season has been defense- Kansas is dead last in FBS in total defense, giving up an average of 45.5 points per game. And when we say FBS, that means all 120 Division I-A teams. While they have gone up against all the powerhouses of the Big 12, allowing that many points per game is simply atrocious, and James Franklin and the rest of the Tiger offense will be licking their lips in preparation for this matchup as a result.

Offensively, the Jayhawks are respectable, although most of their numbers have been padded in garbage time in numerous games this year. Sophomore quarterback Jordan Webb is maturing with each snap, and has shown improvement after being thrown into the fire as a redshirt freshman last year. In the backfield, KU will use a pair of running backs in sophomore James Sims and freshman Darian Miller, who have combined for 1,251 yards and 13 touchdowns.

But as evidenced by the ages of their biggest playmakers, this is a young, inexperienced team still trying to move past the Mark Mangino abuse scandal. Gill is positive, upbeat, and will have his players fired up for this game, as it will be the team’s last of the season, but there is a clear mismatch in talent that simply can’t be overcome by the Jayhawks.

With Coach Gary Pinkel back on the sidelines and the Tigers still trying to improve their bowl game prospects, expect Mizzou to show aggression early and often. Because of Webb’s relative inexperience at quarterback, defensive coordinator Dave Steckel will most likely dial up pressure constantly. In addition, the Jayhawks will struggle to read the Tigers’ multi-threat offense, and Henry Josey’s absence probably won’t make much of a difference in the outcome of the game.

In what could be the final Border War game ever, both teams will want nothing more than a win. Ordinarily, it is safe to throw the records out the window in these types of matchups, but in this one, the Tigers are clearly the better team, and should emerge victorious with relative ease.