When you think of Missouri’s biggest rival Kansas is the first thing that comes to mind. They have been playing since the 1890s and are neck and neck in their all-time series against each other, with the Tigers holding a slight 57-54-9 edge. These two have been in this constant border war struggle even during the actual Border War between Kansas and Missouri citizens during the Civil War. In 2012 Missouri moved to the SEC, and since then these two bitter rivals haven’t met on the gridiron. It has been a while since they played, but if and when they play, it’ll be an all-out brawl that you won’t want to miss.
Another border war exists between Missouri and Arkansas. However, one of the main issues that have fueled flames to this rivalry was former Tigers basketball head coach Mike Anderson leaving Mizzou to go coach the Razorbacks. This left many Tigers fans feeling very salty and has created bitter feelings toward the Razorbacks. So watch out because when the Razorbacks come into town, there is no holding back.
Missouri vs. South Carolina, also known as the Battle for Columbia has developed because both schools are located in Columbia of their respective states. The winner of contests between Tigers and the Gamecocks receives the Mayors' Cup, which the Tigers have taken home once in these school’s three meetings.
Tigers Tailgate Guide
Atmosphere
Tailgating at the University of Missouri has been a long standing tradition for many years. Fans will paint the town of Columbia in gold on Saturdays in support of their beloved Tigers. The students are in love with their school, and it shows! One of the unique things about Mizzou’s tailgate is that they are in love with their chili. You have two choices when going to a Mizzou tailgate: Make a whole lot of your family’s best chili, or come ready to eat enough chili for an entire family. It is a staple at every Mizzou tailgate, and it is oh so scrumptious.
Mizzou’s fans are one of the nicest fan bases out there. They are very welcoming and will play host to even the opposing team’s fans just to have some good conversation and meet some new friend along the way. That doesn’t mean that Mizzou doesn’t have team spirit, though. Be ready for a very loud environment with many cheers, chants, and songs because when in Tiger Country, do as the Tigers do!
One of the most fun traditions at every tailgate is the “Tiger Walk.” Approximately 2 hours before the start of the game, the team starts at the Mizzou Athletic Training Complex, marches across Pedestrian Bridge on campus down to the south tunnel where they enter the locker room. The fans follow the team cheering and getting pumped up for the game.
The Antlers are a group of dedicated Mizzou tailgaters who have been tailgating for Mizzou games for as long as they remember. If you’re looking to let loose and party then the Antlers provide a great place for you.
The Jungle has roughly 20 tables set up for student organizations to set up. Even though they are all students, they still come together in your traditional tailgate frenzy of grilling sausages, burgers, guzzling down alcohol, and bringing a whole lot of spirit.
One of the more interesting facts about Missouri is that Mizzou is the birthplace of Homecoming - one of the most shared and recognizable traditions in all of college football. The University would invite alumni to "come home" for the game. In 1911, the tradition of Homecoming at the University of Missouri began with a spirit rally, a parade and more than 9,000 fans packed into Rollins Field (now Stankowski Field) to watch Mizzou football. It has since served as a model for the various Homecoming celebrations that take place across the nation. Take a chance to attend the Mizzou homecoming game to experience homecoming in its purest form.
The JungleThe Jungle has roughly 20 tables set up for student organizations to set up. Even though they are all students, they still come together in your traditional tailgate frenzy of grilling sausages, burgers, guzzling down alcohol, and bringing a whole lot of spirit.
Public Parking LotsThere are plenty of public parking lots and garages that surround the stadium. All you have to do is pay for the day, and the spot is yours to set up a tent, get the grill going, and have a fantastic time!
The Antlers Tailgate SpotThe Antlers are a group of dedicated Mizzou tailgaters who have been tailgating for Mizzou games for as long as they remember. If you’re looking to let loose and party then the Antlers provide a great place for you.
Tigers Stadium Guide
In Game
Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium AKA “The Zou” has been the home of Tigers football since 1925. It can hold roughly 72,000 people and sometimes it feels like that is still not enough as they experience many capacities and over capacity crowds in Columbia. The raucous crowds have even led to the stadium’s famed nickname “The Zou” as the raucous fans are similar to wild animals in the stands.
One of the more interesting facts about Missouri is that Mizzou is the birthplace of Homecoming – one of the most common and recognizable traditions in all of college football. The University would invite alumni to “come home” for the game. In 1911, the tradition of Homecoming at the University of Missouri began with a spirit rally, a parade and more than 9,000 fans packed into Rollins Field (now Stankowski Field) to watch Mizzou football. It has since served as a model for the various Homecoming celebrations that take place across the nation. Take a chance to attend the Mizzou homecoming game to experience homecoming in its purest form.
The Missouri Tigers are one of the better programs in all of college football having had a lot of success lately as well as throughout their history. The Tigers have taken home 15 conference titles, five division titles, and two national championships and they are still on the rise. The Tigers are a fun team to watch, with a rich history, and some of the greatest fans in all of sports, so you’ll have a great time when you make the trip to Columbia to watch the Tigers.
As soon as the stadium comes into view, the first thing fans and opponents alike will see is the massive rock “M” that stands above the north end zone. The M was built by a group of freshman students in 1927 and has been an integral part of the stadium ever since. Nebraska and Kansas fans have tried to turn the M into an N or K but the groundskeepers and students are very protective of this historic landmark inside their stadium, and no one has succeeded in altering the M.
Standing at nine feet tall, Memorial Stadium is home to the world’s largest marching bass drum. The drum is often used by the Marching Mizzou, so look and listen for this incredible instrument.
Mizzou’s official mascot can be seen throughout the game hyping the crowd up with special dances and routines. He puts on quite the show and will keep you well entertained during stoppages in play.
This tradition began in 1976 during a game between the Tigers and Ohio State and has carried on to today. The Marching Mizzou will begin their halftime show by splitting to opposite sides of the stadium and have one side of fans chanting “M-I-Z” followed by the other side chanting “Z-O-U.” Usually, the student section will shout the first half while the alumni section will follow with the latter half!
The very last home game of the season (which is also senior night) is the black-out game in which fans are encouraged to wear all black. The game is played at night, and even the Tigers players are decked out in black uniforms. The coaches will participate as well by wearing black shirts.
Originally fans were encouraged to wear gold to one game a season until the Gold Rush game in 2007 against Nebraska. Head coach Pinkel thought the game day atmosphere was so successful that he and the athletic department asked fans only to wear gold the rest of the season (with the exclusion of the black-out game). After the 2007 season, the first home game has become known as the Gold Rush Kickoff game, and everyone wears gold for the remainder of the season up until the Black Out Game.
Fight Songs
Old Missouri (Alma Mater)
Old Missouri, fair Missouri, Dear old varsity, Ours are hearts that fondly love thee, Here’s a health to thee.
(Chorus:) Proud art thou in classic beauty, Of thy noble past; With thy watchwords, Honor, Duty, Thy high fame shall last. Every student, man and maiden, Swells the glad refrain, Till the breezes music laden, Waft it back again. (Repeat Chorus:)
Fight Tigers
(Main Verse) Fight, Tiger, fight for old Mizzou, Right behind you, everyone is with you. Break the line and follow down the field, And, you’ll be, on the top, upon the top. Fight, Tiger, you will always win, Proudly keep the colors flying skyward. In the end, we’ll win the victory, So Tiger, fight for Old Mizzou! (YELL) T-I-G-E-R-S, TIGERS GO! (Repeat Main Verse)
Every True Son and Daughter
Every true son, so happy hearted,
Skies above us are blue,
There’s a spirit so deep within us,
Old Missouri here’s to you (RAH! RAH!).
When the band plays the Tiger war song,
And when the fray is through,
We will tramp, tramp, tramp around the Columns,
With a cheer for Old Mizzou!
HIT IT!
HOORAY, HURRAH, MIZZOU, MIZZOU!
HOORAY, HURRAH, MIZZOU, MIZZOU!
HOORAY, HURRAH, AND A BULLY FOR OLD MIZZOU,
RAH! RAH! RAH! RAH!
MIZZOU-RAH! MIZZOU-RAH! MIZZOU-RAH, TIGERS!
Billiards not only is home to regular pool and bar tables, but offers many other entertainment options such as shuffleboard, pinball and other arcade games. Enjoy a full menu and bar or patio, specifically try the Famous Billiards Burger and fresh cut fries!
Missouri, McNally’s Irish Pub serves a full menu and the best drink specials in town! Plenty of TVs with sports, a spacious patio (with TV) and games... pool, foosball, and darts.
Campus Bar & Grill is the best place in town to watch MIZZOU Tiger Athletics, St. Louis Cardinals, Rams, Blues, and the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals - It's always game time at Campus Bar & Grill!
Some of their specialties include Custom Omelettes, Homemade French Toast, Hashbrowns and French Fries, Vegetarian Specialties and our famous Chopped Cow.
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