LINCOLN, Neb. — Missouri has always had Kansas, and Nebraska used to have Oklahoma.
Though Missouri-Nebraska doesn’t have quite the same ring, passions run as deep as any other rivalry when these teams get together.
They’ve taken turns making and breaking each other’s seasons in more than a century’s worth of hard-hitting games. Today figures to be no different when the seventh-ranked Tigers (7-0, 3-0) and No. 14 Cornhuskers (6-1, 2-1) play for control of the Big 12 North.
Adding some zest to this one: It’s the last football game between the two before Nebraska heads to the Big Ten — the same league Missouri had hoped to join during the summer’s conference realignment.
“I just know growing up around it, and committing to Nebraska, how much Missouri fans want to beat Nebraska every year and how much they dislike Nebraska,” said Huskers linebacker Will Compton, from Bonne Terre, Mo. “It’s all in fun and I know in the end they are pulling my leg about it, but at the same time there is a lot of turmoil built between fans.”
The players aren’t especially fond of each other, either.
Back in 1982, Nebraska quarterback Turner Gill was knocked unconscious. In 1979, I-back Jarvis Redwine claimed a knee injury was the result of Missouri players intentionally diving at his legs. Two years ago, Missouri quarterback Chase Daniel said a Nebraska player spit on him.
Nebraska fans, not to mention Missouri fans, will never forget the 1997 “Miracle at Missouri” game. Matt Davison’s diving end-zone catch of a ball popped into the air off teammate Shevin Wiggins’ foot tied the game on the last play of regulation.
Nebraska won in overtime and went on to win a split national championship.
In 1978, James Wilder ran for 181 yards and four touchdowns in a Missouri victory that dashed the second-ranked Huskers’ national championship hopes.
From 1949-69, 16 of the games were decided by 10 points or less, and one or both of the teams were usually ranked. The Huskers lead the series 64-35-3, mostly on the strength of a 24-game win streak that did nothing to endear them to Missouri fans.
Missouri quarterback Blaine Gabbert is coming off back-to-back 300-yard passing games, but will be going against one of the nation’s top secondaries.
Nebraska quarterback Taylor Martinez has amassed huge rushing statistics, but he’s yet to prove he can move the ball with consistency against a top defense. The Tigers are fifth in the nation in scoring defense (13.1 ppg).
