Armageddon at Arrowhead...

[BRUINSFAN]

Border War is as big as it will ever be

By JASON WHITLOCK, Kansas City Star

The outsiders may never understand. When Armageddon at Arrowhead is over, the onlookers from afar might still want to snicker, belittle the rivalry and predict that it will never happen again.

That?s fine. The 116th football meeting between Missouri and Kansas may never be fully appreciated by outsiders. The Border War has never been a main event, a showdown with national implications, a contest to decide conference supremacy.

It?s not Ohio State-Michigan or Auburn-Alabama or Duke-North Carolina in basketball.

But that is exactly what makes Armageddon at Arrowhead special. Ohio State-Michigan settles the Big Ten football race just about every year, and many years the game plays a role in the national title picture.

What we have this Saturday night inside Arrowhead Stadium is a one-time event, a brawl to settle it all. It?s Muhammad Ali-George Foreman. There will be no rematch. We?re about to witness history. The winner will forever be remembered as the greatest of all time, and the loser will have to reinvent himself 30 years later when there?s a new generation of fight fans.

You follow?

There is no next year for the loser of this game. It?s highly unlikely that Kansas and Missouri will ever meet again in a football game this big, this significant. In basketball, Duke could beat North Carolina in the national title game, and Carolina fans could console themselves by envisioning returning the favor the next season in the ACC title game, the NCAA Tournament or perhaps even in the title game.

The winner of Armageddon at Arrowhead gets lifetime bragging rights. Short of Mizzou and Kansas meeting in the NCAA Final Four, there is no sports victory that will top Saturday?s outcome.

The winner of Saturday?s football game could lose 20 straight Border War basketball games and still shut up a rival fan by pointing to victory in Armageddon at Arrowhead.

This is it. The Kansas-Missouri rivalry will be settled Saturday night. Seriously, it will never be the same. If Missouri wins, its basketball inferiority will be rendered irrelevant and the Ricky Clemons jokes won?t be nearly as funny. If KU wins, the Mangino size jokes will be rendered irrelevant and the Mangino size jokes won?t be nearly as funny.

Do you get my point?

The fact that this football rivalry has been fueled solely on hatred, passion and the history of the two states ? and devoid of significance ? is why this meeting is the greatest thing to happen to the college football season this year.

Armageddon at Arrowhead is more rare than gold, more treasured than diamonds.

I say let the outsiders run their mouths about Kansas? soft schedule and about Harvard-Yale, Indiana-Purdue and Notre Dame-USC.

We know the truth. Those rivalries can?t touch Missouri-Kansas. I used to live in Ann Arbor, Mich. The Wolverines and the Buckeyes respect each other. It?s a good solid rivalry. So is Indiana-Purdue, the rivalry that defined my home state.

Missouri-Kansas is just different. It?s a way of life. It dates back to the Civil War and the abolitionist movement. I have Missouri friends who don?t like to cross the state line, and Kansas friends who feel the same way. Yeah, Norm Stewart has softened in retirement. He made peace with the Jayhawks. But I guarantee you he won?t sleep in Kansas or spend a dime in the state this week.

And I guarantee you on Saturday, no one inside Arrowhead Stadium will care who the Tigers or the Jayhawks beat to get here. All that will matter is what they do to each other. That?s all that?s mattered for more than 100 years.

[Burning River]

I'm looking forward too it. It's great that there is even so much more at stake!

[Erik121]

And they play for an awesome trophy: The Indian War Drum

(best picture I could find. the other side has the KU logo on it)

[TFoA]

Kansas is on the cover of SI this week.

Rockchalk is going down.

[Ez Street]

Kansas is on the cover of SI this week.

Rockchalk is going down.

, I hate SI. We are doomed.

[McCall]

Kansas is on the cover of SI this week.

Rockchalk is going down.

MIZZOOOOOOOOOOU-RAH!

My sister and her husband are going, as is my brother and his girlfriend.

To show our family's dedication to Mizzou, My Sister (who attended Mizzou her freshman year) is 3 months pregnant and is braving the cold. She refuses to miss this. (In all honesty, when it comes to Mizzou-Kansas, my sister, a kindergarden teacher, is probably the most insane one in our family.)

[CDuffy26]

Rootin' for Kansas for the fact that I believe an undefeated team should go into the title game. That and I hope if Kansas wins, WVU loses and Oklahoma beats KU so that the Buckeyes can get back into the title game. Go Jays!

[PeytonManningRocks]

I don't think this showdown is nearly as big as anyone thinks, for the sole reason that I don't think either team is good enough to beat Oklahoma (assuming Oklahoma makes it to the Big 12 Championship). But then again I've been wrong before, I did think that Okla. would beat KSU a few years ago and they got pummeled.

All I can say is the thought of WVU and OSU possibly being in the National Championship is surprising to say the least.

[McCall]

I don't think this showdown is nearly as big as anyone thinks, for the sole reason that I don't think either team is good enough to beat Oklahoma (assuming Oklahoma makes it to the Big 12 Championship). But then again I've been wrong before, I did think that Okla. would beat KSU a few years ago and they got pummeled.

All I can say is the thought of WVU and OSU possibly being in the National Championship is surprising to say the least.

This absolutely as huge as everyone is making this out to be. Whoever wins the Mizzou-Kansas game will leapfrog West Virginia into the No. 1 spot. This is a two-high ranking-team match-up, even though UConn is ranked #20, it's still not enough to allow WVU to move ahead.

My sister and her husband, and my little brother and his girlfriend just left to head up to Arrowhead. I'm so frickin jealous of all of them. On GameDay this morning, it was hilarious to read all the signs in the background. And it's safe to say Mizzou won the battle of signs (of course they are one of the most renouned [sp?] Journalism schools in the country so what'd ya expect?).

The top 3 signs:

Honorable Mention: "ESPN, Obesity Lives Here."

3. Mangino's head on Fat Bastard's (from Austin Powers series) body with "Get in my belly" above it.

2. One side said, "M-I-Z-F-K-U", with the other side saying, "Mangino loves Cupcakes."

1. "Party like it's 1863!"

GO MIZZOU!!!

[winters in buffalo]

I don't think this showdown is nearly as big as anyone thinks, for the sole reason that I don't think either team is good enough to beat Oklahoma (assuming Oklahoma makes it to the Big 12 Championship). But then again I've been wrong before, I did think that Okla. would beat KSU a few years ago and they got pummeled.

All I can say is the thought of WVU and OSU possibly being in the National Championship is surprising to say the least.

This absolutely as huge as everyone is making this out to be. Whoever wins the Mizzou-Kansas game will leapfrog West Virginia into the No. 1 spot. This is a two-high ranking-team match-up, even though UConn is ranked #20, it's still not enough to allow WVU to move ahead.

My sister and her husband, and my little brother and his girlfriend just left to head up to Arrowhead. I'm so frickin jealous of all of them. On GameDay this morning, it was hilarious to read all the signs in the background. And it's safe to say Mizzou won the battle of signs (of course they are one of the most renouned [sp?] Journalism schools in the country so what'd ya expect?).

The top 3 signs:

Honorable Mention: "ESPN, Obesity Lives Here."

3. Mangino's head on Fat Bastard's (from Austin Powers series) body with "Get in my belly" above it.

2. One side said, "M-I-Z-F-K-U", with the other side saying, "Mangino loves Cupcakes."

1. "Party like it's 1863!"

GO MIZZOU!!!

I disagree... the best sign was the Grandpa Simpson. 50 points to anyone that gets the reference.

[BBTV]

I don't think this showdown is nearly as big as anyone thinks, for the sole reason that I don't think either team is good enough to beat Oklahoma (assuming Oklahoma makes it to the Big 12 Championship). But then again I've been wrong before, I did think that Okla. would beat KSU a few years ago and they got pummeled.

All I can say is the thought of WVU and OSU possibly being in the National Championship is surprising to say the least.

This absolutely as huge as everyone is making this out to be. Whoever wins the Mizzou-Kansas game will leapfrog West Virginia into the No. 1 spot. This is a two-high ranking-team match-up, even though UConn is ranked #20, it's still not enough to allow WVU to move ahead.

My sister and her husband, and my little brother and his girlfriend just left to head up to Arrowhead. I'm so frickin jealous of all of them. On GameDay this morning, it was hilarious to read all the signs in the background. And it's safe to say Mizzou won the battle of signs (of course they are one of the most renouned [sp?] Journalism schools in the country so what'd ya expect?).

The top 3 signs:

Honorable Mention: "ESPN, Obesity Lives Here."

3. Mangino's head on Fat Bastard's (from Austin Powers series) body with "Get in my belly" above it.

2. One side said, "M-I-Z-F-K-U", with the other side saying, "Mangino loves Cupcakes."

1. "Party like it's 1863!"

GO MIZZOU!!!

I disagree... the best sign was the Grandpa Simpson. 50 points to anyone that gets the reference.

"I'll be deep in the cold, cold ground before I recognize Missouri."

[illwauk]

I don't think this showdown is nearly as big as anyone thinks, for the sole reason that I don't think either team is good enough to beat Oklahoma (assuming Oklahoma makes it to the Big 12 Championship). But then again I've been wrong before, I did think that Okla. would beat KSU a few years ago and they got pummeled.

All I can say is the thought of WVU and OSU possibly being in the National Championship is surprising to say the least.

This absolutely as huge as everyone is making this out to be. Whoever wins the Mizzou-Kansas game will leapfrog West Virginia into the No. 1 spot. This is a two-high ranking-team match-up, even though UConn is ranked #20, it's still not enough to allow WVU to move ahead.

My sister and her husband, and my little brother and his girlfriend just left to head up to Arrowhead. I'm so frickin jealous of all of them. On GameDay this morning, it was hilarious to read all the signs in the background. And it's safe to say Mizzou won the battle of signs (of course they are one of the most renouned [sp?] Journalism schools in the country so what'd ya expect?).

The top 3 signs:

Honorable Mention: "ESPN, Obesity Lives Here."

3. Mangino's head on Fat Bastard's (from Austin Powers series) body with "Get in my belly" above it.

2. One side said, "M-I-Z-F-K-U", with the other side saying, "Mangino loves Cupcakes."

1. "Party like it's 1863!"

GO MIZZOU!!!

I disagree... the best sign was the Grandpa Simpson. 50 points to anyone that gets the reference.

"I'll be deep in the cold, cold ground before I recognize Missouri."

I've alienated so many potential friends with my simpsons knowledge and even I didn't understand the grandpa simpson sign til now...

That is the most clever s**t of life lol

[McCall]

I don't think this showdown is nearly as big as anyone thinks, for the sole reason that I don't think either team is good enough to beat Oklahoma (assuming Oklahoma makes it to the Big 12 Championship). But then again I've been wrong before, I did think that Okla. would beat KSU a few years ago and they got pummeled.

All I can say is the thought of WVU and OSU possibly being in the National Championship is surprising to say the least.

This absolutely as huge as everyone is making this out to be. Whoever wins the Mizzou-Kansas game will leapfrog West Virginia into the No. 1 spot. This is a two-high ranking-team match-up, even though UConn is ranked #20, it's still not enough to allow WVU to move ahead.

My sister and her husband, and my little brother and his girlfriend just left to head up to Arrowhead. I'm so frickin jealous of all of them. On GameDay this morning, it was hilarious to read all the signs in the background. And it's safe to say Mizzou won the battle of signs (of course they are one of the most renouned [sp?] Journalism schools in the country so what'd ya expect?).

The top 3 signs:

Honorable Mention: "ESPN, Obesity Lives Here."

3. Mangino's head on Fat Bastard's (from Austin Powers series) body with "Get in my belly" above it.

2. One side said, "M-I-Z-F-K-U", with the other side saying, "Mangino loves Cupcakes."

1. "Party like it's 1863!"

GO MIZZOU!!!

I disagree... the best sign was the Grandpa Simpson. 50 points to anyone that gets the reference.

"I'll be deep in the cold, cold ground before I recognize Missouri."

I've alienated so many potential friends with my simpsons knowledge and even I didn't understand the grandpa simpson sign til now...

That is the most clever s**t of life lol

I give up. It's not clicking. What is it?

[BBTV]

I don't think this showdown is nearly as big as anyone thinks, for the sole reason that I don't think either team is good enough to beat Oklahoma (assuming Oklahoma makes it to the Big 12 Championship). But then again I've been wrong before, I did think that Okla. would beat KSU a few years ago and they got pummeled.

All I can say is the thought of WVU and OSU possibly being in the National Championship is surprising to say the least.

This absolutely as huge as everyone is making this out to be. Whoever wins the Mizzou-Kansas game will leapfrog West Virginia into the No. 1 spot. This is a two-high ranking-team match-up, even though UConn is ranked #20, it's still not enough to allow WVU to move ahead.

My sister and her husband, and my little brother and his girlfriend just left to head up to Arrowhead. I'm so frickin jealous of all of them. On GameDay this morning, it was hilarious to read all the signs in the background. And it's safe to say Mizzou won the battle of signs (of course they are one of the most renouned [sp?] Journalism schools in the country so what'd ya expect?).

The top 3 signs:

Honorable Mention: "ESPN, Obesity Lives Here."

3. Mangino's head on Fat Bastard's (from Austin Powers series) body with "Get in my belly" above it.

2. One side said, "M-I-Z-F-K-U", with the other side saying, "Mangino loves Cupcakes."

1. "Party like it's 1863!"

GO MIZZOU!!!

I disagree... the best sign was the Grandpa Simpson. 50 points to anyone that gets the reference.

"I'll be deep in the cold, cold ground before I recognize Missouri."

I've alienated so many potential friends with my simpsons knowledge and even I didn't understand the grandpa simpson sign til now...

That is the most clever s**t of life lol

I give up. It's not clicking. What is it?

Best vid I could find.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=y_9gJq5zGW4

[leedsunited]

I don't think this showdown is nearly as big as anyone thinks, for the sole reason that I don't think either team is good enough to beat Oklahoma (assuming Oklahoma makes it to the Big 12 Championship). But then again I've been wrong before, I did think that Okla. would beat KSU a few years ago and they got pummeled.

All I can say is the thought of WVU and OSU possibly being in the National Championship is surprising to say the least.

This absolutely as huge as everyone is making this out to be. Whoever wins the Mizzou-Kansas game will leapfrog West Virginia into the No. 1 spot. This is a two-high ranking-team match-up, even though UConn is ranked #20, it's still not enough to allow WVU to move ahead.

My sister and her husband, and my little brother and his girlfriend just left to head up to Arrowhead. I'm so frickin jealous of all of them. On GameDay this morning, it was hilarious to read all the signs in the background. And it's safe to say Mizzou won the battle of signs (of course they are one of the most renouned [sp?] Journalism schools in the country so what'd ya expect?).

The top 3 signs:

Honorable Mention: "ESPN, Obesity Lives Here."

3. Mangino's head on Fat Bastard's (from Austin Powers series) body with "Get in my belly" above it.

2. One side said, "M-I-Z-F-K-U", with the other side saying, "Mangino loves Cupcakes."

1. "Party like it's 1863!"

GO MIZZOU!!!

I disagree... the best sign was the Grandpa Simpson. 50 points to anyone that gets the reference.

"I'll be deep in the cold, cold ground before I recognize Missouri."

I've alienated so many potential friends with my simpsons knowledge and even I didn't understand the grandpa simpson sign til now...

That is the most clever s**t of life lol

I give up. It's not clicking. What is it?

Best vid I could find.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=y_9gJq5zGW4

Now this is why the college game is infinitely superior to the overpaid professionals.