One of the biggest matchups of the Week 2 college football slate will see two fierce regional rivals reunite in Columbia, Missouri.
Missouri football (1-0) and Kansas will renew the Border War rivalry on the football field after a 14-year break Saturday on Faurot Field. The game has been tabbed for a 2:30 p.m. kickoff on ESPN2, with SEC Nation in town to preview the matchup.
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Here’s what you need to know about the Jayhawks (2-0), from their starting quarterback to their top playmakers, as well as a score prediction for Border War:
Who is Kansas’ quarterback for Border War?
Sixth-year senior Jalon Daniels will provide a stern test for Mizzou’s defense to deal with. The Tribune did a deep dive on what exactly will make Daniels the top priority for the MU defense earlier this week. Here’s the short version:
Daniels is a dual-threat who will provide an immense test for the Tigers’ defensive discipline. His speed and ability to scramble forces defensive ends not to rush past him and create lanes for him to run through. If the Tigers’ defensive backs are too reactionary to his shifts and movements in the pocket, they risk allowing receivers to break free.
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Mizzou coach Eli Drinkwitz said Tuesday that Mizzou hasn’t played anyone quite like Daniels, and then went a step further and said, “or maybe as good as him.” That’s incredibly high praise, while also likely a quote intended to avoid bulletin board material west of the state border.
But Daniels is absolutely the most straightforward path to victory for KU. That’s not just because he’s the quarterback. It’s because he’s a really good quarterback.
“I mean, this guy’s been through the highs and lows of college football,” Drinkwitz said. “He’s not going to be distraught about going on the road. He’s done that several times. He’s not going to be distraught about playing a good defense. He’s played SEC defenses before. We’re just going to have to do a really good job of tackling. We have to do a great job of covering, because at the end of the day, if a wide receiver is open, he’s going to throw it to them.”
Aug 29, 2025; Lawrence, Kansas, USA; Kansas Jayhawks quarterback Jalon Daniels (6) looks to pass during the first half against the Wagner Seahawks at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: William Purnell-Imagn Images
Two new coordinators join head coach Lance Leipold
Lance Leipold is in his fifth season coaching the Jayhawks. The six-time Division-III national-championship-winning coach (Wisconsin-Whitewater) and two-time MAC champion (Buffalo) is 24-28 as KU’s head coach.
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D.K. McDonald was promoted to Kansas’ full-time defensive coordinator position after last season, and Jim Zebrowski became offensive coordinator after Jeff Grimes left for Wisconsin.
Kansas opened its year with a Week 0 win over Fresno State before handling FCS-level Wagner last Friday.
Who are KU’s primary offensive playmakers?
Kansas senior wide receiver Emmanuel Henderson Jr. 1) warms up before the game between Fresno State and Kansas at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium.
Daniels’ top-two pass-catching targets will be Alabama transfer Emmanuel Henderson Jr. and former Ball State player Cam Pickett, who have combined for 260 yards and five touchdowns through two games.
Henderson is Kansas’ outside receiver, and with nine catches on 11 targets averaging 17.1 yards per haul, he’s the player Mizzou’s safeties will need to pay most attention to deep downfield. Pickett operates out of the slot more often and has three touchdowns through three games.
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It’s still unclear whether the Jayhawks’ backfield will be at full strength. Running back and Iowa transfer Leshon Williams missed KU’s game against Wagner, but if he’s healthy — and expectations appear to indicate that he will be — he will pair up with Daniel Hishaw Jr. to share snaps running the ball.
Defense is missing a starting LB, but the D-line is a strength
South Carolina transfer and veteran linebacker Bangally Kamara sustained a non-contact injury in practice and will miss the game for the Jayhawks. That’s a significant loss for KU entering Border War.
Kamara had three QB pressures on just five pass-rushing snaps, per PFF. His replacement will seemingly be Jon Jon Kamara, a redshirt freshman playing his first significant collegiate reps.
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Kansas’ strength does still appear to be up front, where defensive ends Dean Miller and Leroy Harris III, defensive tackle DJ Withers, and linebacker Trey Lathan have combined for 12 pressures.
“All these guys are disruptives. I think their D-line is (the) strength of their football team,” Drinkwitz said. … “I think they do as good a job as anybody rushing the passer. They’ve got great length. They chase the ball.”
Score prediction: Missouri 35, Kansas 28
Aug 28, 2025; Columbia, Missouri, USA; Missouri Tigers quarterback Beau Pribula (9) celebrates after scoring against the Central Arkansas Bears during the first half of the game at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images
Let’s be quite clear: Missouri is the more talented and deep roster. But this isn’t a normal game, and Daniels isn’t a normal quarterback.
More: ‘There ain’t no attaboy’: How Missouri football has prepared for Border War, Kansas game
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More: ‘Kick their butt’: What Kansas coach Lance Leipold said about Missouri football before Border War
This is a premier test for what we think will be a strong Mizzou defense. It’s an even bigger test for what was a leaky and new-look offensive line in Week 1.
Missouri should beat Kansas at home. The Tigers have the talent. But we’re guessing this rivalry game — especially a game as heated as this — remains exciting all the way until the waning moments.
This article originally appeared on Columbia Daily Tribune: Missouri football vs. Kansas: Scouting report, score prediction
