Making the case for Mizzou-Oklahoma to be everlasting rivals in 3-6 mannequin

Earlier within the offseason we previewed what a doable schedule would appear to be for Missouri in 2024 and 2025 when Oklahoma and Texas be part of the convention subsequent 12 months.

In that article, we briefly touched on the groups that will doubtless make Mizzou’s three everlasting opponents within the 3-6 mannequin schedule.

In the 3-6 mannequin, groups would have three convention opponents that play yearly whereas the opposite six convention video games could be made up of the opposite 12 groups on a rotating foundation. This additionally means simply three non-conference video games as a substitute of 4.

We’ve already given a case as to why Missouri-Arkansas ought to stay a rivalry.

Here, we are going to develop on the earlier article and provides a extra detailed case as to why Missouri-Oklahoma ought to renew its rivalry and grow to be a everlasting one.

Historical context, fan engagement and geography

Unlike Missouri-Arkansas, this matchup has an abundance of historical past with 96 video games having taken place relationship again to President Theodore Roosevelt’s second 12 months in workplace in 1902.

The final sport happened in 2011 attributable to Mizzou making the bounce to the Southeastern Conference in 2012.

Now, that Oklahoma is primed to make the bounce to the SEC with Texas in 2024 one may suppose the rekindling of this matchup as a everlasting rivalry might be pretty much as good of a lock as Missouri-Arkansas.

Furthermore, Mizzou would be the Sooners’ second-most-played opponent behind Texas as soon as they be part of the convention.

In all probability, Arkansas and Oklahoma are in all probability locks for Mizzou as everlasting rivals.

However, whereas Oklahoma might be referred to as a everlasting rival as a result of that’s the place it will fill on Mizzou’s schedule it’s probably not a rivalry.

It’s a well-recognized foe.

It’s just like the co-worker or classmate you had for years and you already know them due to their proximity to you however there’s no true friendship or on this case beef.

Rivalries often have a semblance of equality. Even if one crew wins greater than the opposite a few different issues come into play that would nonetheless make it a rivalry.

Are the video games all the time shut? Is the variety of wins for the successful crew of the sequence lopsided?

In 96 video games, the Sooners maintain a 67-24-5 file for a successful share of 69%. Of these 67 wins, 28 of them (41%) have been blowouts (successful by 21 or extra factors).

Only 5 of Missouri’s wins (20%) have been blowouts.

Also, one thing that’s notable for rivalries is stretches the place the tables flip and the groups take turns dominating for vital stretches of the sequence.

The Tigers have by no means gained three video games in a row versus the Sooners whereas the latter has three win streaks of 11 or extra with their first successful streak additionally being their longest at 14 video games (1946-59).

In 1929, when the Tiger-Sooner Peace Pipe trophy was launched Missouri gained the primary sport with the trophy on the road, however nonetheless has an total file of 15-58-4 since that first trophy sport.

Due to this historic context, the fan bases could not have the identical dangerous blood that Missouri-Arkansas has because of the lack of aggressive steadiness.

While a sliver of northeast Oklahoma borders southwest Missouri it’s not an informal drive from Norman to Columbia and vice versa. The colleges are separated by 466 miles and rounds out to a drive in need of seven hours with out stops.

It’s not undrivable, but it surely’s not a drive one would in all probability make on brief discover, and it’s doubtless an in a single day journey.

Competitiveness and key performances

We’ve already harped on the dearth of competitiveness on this matchup, however that doesn’t imply there haven’t been some big-time video games and performances on this sequence.

The worst statistical loss at school historical past for Mizzou was versus No. 4 Oklahoma in 1986 when the Sooners routed the Tigers 77-0 in what’s now generally known as the “Norman Conquest.”

In this sport, Oklahoma had 32 first downs and 750 whole yards with 681 of them approaching the bottom for 10.8 yards per carry.

The Sooners not solely shut out the Tigers however they allowed simply 198 whole yards at 3 yards per play and compelled two fumbles and an interception.

Despite Missouri being on the fallacious aspect of the win-loss column that is in all probability extra of a testomony to how dominant the ‘86 Sooners (11-1) had been than how dangerous the ‘86 Tigers (3-8) had been.

This sport happened in week 10 of that season. Oklahoma’s lone loss on the season was in week three to No. 2 Miami Hurricanes, who would go on to play within the nationwide title sport that season.

From week 4 by the remainder of the season, the Sooners would outscore opponents 391-50.

What highlights most rivalries is the aggressive nature of the video games and what’s at stake. This specific sport was about Oklahoma having probably the greatest video games at school historical past and Missouri having one of many worst.

In current reminiscence, the pair confronted off twice within the Big 12 title sport with the video games working consecutively in 2007 and 2008.

In 2007, Missouri entered the sport No. 1 within the BCS standings with Oklahoma coming in at No. 9.

Heading into halftime the sport was tied at 14 however then within the second half the Sooners would outscore the Tigers 24-3 and win 38-17 dashing Mizzou’s nationwide title hopes within the course of.

Missouri quarterback Chase Daniel, who would end fourth in Heisman voting that season, would full 23 of 39 passes for 219 yards and an interception.

Tight finish would depart all receivers with 10 receptions for 102 yards whereas All-American large receiver Jeremy Maclin could be the crew’s main rusher with 4 carries for 32 yards and two touchdowns to go together with 5 receptions for 53 yards.

Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford would full 18 of 26 passes for 209 yards and two touchdowns whereas working backs Allen Patrick and Chris Brown would mix for 36 carries for 159 yards and three touchdowns.

In 2008, the sport was a rout from the primary whistle to the final whistle with the Sooners getting a 62-21 win at Arrowhead Stadium.

Bradford, the Heisman winner that season, accomplished 34 of 49 passes for 384 yards and two touchdowns whereas working backs Brown and Mossiss Madu each rushed for over 100 yards and three touchdowns apiece.

Wide receiver Juaquin Iglesias would file 9 receptions for 125 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

In what could be Daniel’s ultimate collegiate sport he accomplished 27 of 43 passes for 255 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions.

Lastly, in 2010, Missouri was capable of return the favor of dashing Oklahoma’s nationwide title hopes.

After routing Iowa State 52-0 in week seven, the Sooners entered the week eight matchup in opposition to Mizzou at No. 1 within the first BCS ballot of the season.

The Tigers, who had been No. 11 coming into the sport, additionally performed host to ESPN’s College GameDay for the primary (and as of now solely) time and set the on-campus attendance file for the present.

Mizzou would carry that momentum into the sport with the opening kickoff being returned 86 yards by Gahn McGaffie for a landing.

Quarterback Blaine Gabbert would then lead the cost for the Tigers finishing 30 of 42 passes for 309 yards and a landing.

Wide receiver Jerell Jackson would cleared the path with 9 receptions for 139 yards and a landing. Jackson’s 38-yard receiving landing with a bit beneath 13 minutes left could be the go-ahead rating and Missouri would finally win the sport 36-27.

Verdict

In brief, from a historic context, the groups must be paired up as rivals once more.

Missouri has lacked rivalries exterior of Arkansas because it joined the SEC, so this rekindled rivalry would comfortably sit in second place behind that one.

For Oklahoma, clearly, the Red River Rivalry with Texas is assured to be one in every of its everlasting rivals.

However, rekindling this rivalry would make sense contemplating a whole lot of doable dream rivals (Alabama, Georgia, Florida) could have already got three rivalries locked in.

Below, is a five-star ranking system based mostly on historic context, fan engagement and geography and competitiveness.

Historical context: 5 out of 5

Fan engagement and geography: 2.5 out of 5

Competitiveness: 1.5 out of 5

Overall: 3 stars out of 5