No. 23 Missouri prepares for border war rivalry game against Kansas

No. 23 Missouri travels to face Kansas on Friday in the latest iteration of the Border War football rivalry. The matchup is historically rooted in Civil War-era conflict between the two states, predating the first gridiron meeting in 1891. Tensions recently surfaced after the Kansas athletic department posted imagery of John Brown on social media, prompting a response from leadership in both states. This game marks the second meeting in a renewed home-and-home series after the teams ceased annual play following Missouri's move to the Southeastern Conference in 2012. Missouri won last year’s contest in Columbia 42-31, though the Jayhawks initially held a 21-6 lead in the first quarter of that game. Players and staff from both programs have acknowledged the intensity surrounding the matchup beyond typical conference rivalries.

• 5:17 PMYahoo Sports — The Border War: No. 23 Missouri visits Kansas in latest rivalry game steeped in Civil War-era battle