The September 6, 2025 Border War matchup between the Kansas Jayhawks and the Missouri Tigers at Faurot Field is one of the most anticipated rivalry renewals of the early college football season, a game that carries both historical intensity and immediate Big 12 stakes as the two programs meet in Columbia with Missouri entering as a 6.5-point favorite and the betting action split more evenly than expected, with about 53 percent siding with the Tigers and 47 percent backing Kansas to cover. The Jayhawks enter at 2–0 after handling Fresno State 31–7 and following it with another strong showing against Wagner, giving them both momentum and confidence that their disciplined play under head coach Lance Leipold can translate against a tougher, more talented opponent. Quarterback Jalon Daniels has been the centerpiece of their offensive identity, blending efficiency in the passing game with composure under pressure, and Kansas’ ground attack has added balance to sustain drives and wear down defenses. Missouri, meanwhile, comes into this game fresh off a 61–6 thrashing of Central Arkansas that highlighted both their offensive explosiveness and defensive sharpness, with quarterback Beau Pribula demonstrating his dual-threat ability and wideout Miles Marquis Johnson emerging as the kind of game-breaking playmaker that can tilt matchups.

The Tigers’ ability to generate chunk plays and create separation quickly has fueled their rise and is the primary reason they are favored at home, but their challenge will be to maintain focus and efficiency against a Kansas team that prides itself on methodical play and limiting mistakes. The key matchup is Daniels against Missouri’s defense, as Kansas must find ways to protect him and allow him to operate from a clean pocket while also establishing enough of a run game to keep the Tigers honest. Missouri’s front seven will be tasked with disrupting that rhythm, forcing Kansas into long-yardage situations, and capitalizing on turnovers to feed an offense that thrives on short fields. Defensively, Kansas must be prepared to tackle in space, limit explosive plays, and force Missouri to string together long drives, a difficult task against a team that has embraced pace and vertical threats. Special teams could play a pivotal role, as rivalry games often hinge on field position swings, and both sides will emphasize avoiding mistakes in that phase. From a betting perspective, Kansas’ early 2–0 ATS record has given them credibility as a team capable of playing above market expectations, while Missouri’s emphatic start has made them a popular favorite in the public eye, setting up a sharp divide between bettors backing momentum and those backing raw talent. Ultimately, this game will come down to whether Kansas can impose its identity of efficiency, balance, and discipline on the road or whether Missouri’s explosive offense and home-field advantage will overwhelm them, turning the contest into a showcase of the Tigers’ continued rise. For Kansas, keeping it close deep into the second half would validate their growth and ability to contend in the Big 12, while for Missouri, a decisive win would reinforce their reputation as a team capable of blending tradition with newfound offensive firepower in pursuit of national recognition.