Oklahoma Scoffs at Mizzou’s Aspiration for an SEC Rivalry. But Should They?

By Rock Westfall

For a rivalry to be a rivalry, it must be a relatively even matchup of contending teams for high stakes on an annual basis. When it comes to the series between the Oklahoma Sooners and Missouri Tigers, “rivalry” is not a term that realistically pertains - at least not yet.

Since the series began in 1902, Oklahoma has a 67-24-5 advantage. Oklahoma has won 32 out of its last 36 games with Mizzou. Back when the two teams played for the Big 12 championship in 2007 and 2008, Oklahoma easily won by scores of 38-17 and 62-21, respectively.

That being said, Mizzou has had its moments against the Sooners. MU upset OU 36-27 at home on national prime-time TV in 2010 when the Sooners were ranked #1 in the country. But that has been the exception to the rule.

Oklahoma and Mizzou have not played since 2011, when Oklahoma scored a 38-28 revenge win at home. The following season, Missouri joined the SEC , leaving Oklahoma behind in the Big 12 . But with Oklahoma’s move to the SEC this season, the Tigers will host the Sooners on November 9.

Oklahoma vs. Missouri – It Just Means More Now?

While they were members of the Big Eight and Big 12, Oklahoma dominated Mizzou. But as members of the SEC, there is the potential for a more even series. Missouri has been recruiting in the SEC longer than Oklahoma, although the Sooners still hauled in higher-ranked recruiting classes. Mizzou is coming off an 11-2 record in 2023 with a Cotton Bowl win over Ohio State.

Oklahoma lost its bowl game to Arizona, blowing a second-half lead to finish 10-3. The Sooners, though improving, have not been dominant in the first two seasons under coach Brent Venables and have a new starting quarterback in Jackson Arnold . Mizzou will counter with Brady Cook , who is entering his third season as the starter and coming off a dream season in 2023.

In recent years, the Tigers have become an annoyance to the Sooners, mainly due to the Transfer Portal . Missouri has added a player from Oklahoma through the portal in each of the first two years. First with wide receiver Theo Wease in 2023 and then with offensive tackle Cayden Green in 2024.

Additionally, it doesn’t take long to pick up on the animosity between the two fanbases when they interact on social media. Oklahoma’s blue blood historical status creates a fan base that can be arrogant and entitled, especially when compared to Missouri.

MU fans have a chip on their shoulder because they believe the Tigers are never given full marks for their accomplishments and abilities. Oklahoma fans believe Mizzou will never be an annual threat. Missouri fans are defiant and believe that they can. Thus, Oklahoma’s arrogance fuels Mizzou’s fire.

The Tigers are the most underappreciated and underrated program in the SEC. Mizzou made the SEC Championship Game in 2012 and 2013 and regained its self-respect and national stature last year after stupidly blowing itself up over campus unrest in 2015, which was a devastating setback that cost them several years of success.

When Missouri has been right, it has been an SEC contender and able to beat anyone with the exception of Alabama. Last year was a renaissance season for Mizzou. The fan base is back, selling out Farout Field, and eager for more in 2024. Additionally, Mizzou is sneaky good at NIL and facility upgrades.

In a league where it “Just Means More,” the Tigers and Sooners have the potential to ignite something special, historic records be damned.

Reality Check

Heading into the 2024 season, the Sooners are something of an under-the-radar team. Their hated arch-rival, the Texas Longhorns, is getting all of the preseason and future market love. But those who write off Oklahoma do so at their peril. The improving Sooners have recruited well under Venables and are at their most dangerous when discounted.

Missouri will have the opposite problem in 2024. The Tigers have gone from being hunters to the hunted. Mizzou will not ambush anyone this season and will command the full respect and attention of their opponents. The surprise factor is gone. This situation is reminiscent of 2007 and 2008 . The Tigers reached Number 1 in the polls late in 2007, finishing 12-2 and 4 ^th in the land. That set the stage for wild predictions of a 2008 national championship. Instead, Mizzou .fell to 10-4 with a final ranking of 19 ^th in the country.

With so many intangibles, this year’s renewal is circled on the calendars of college football nation.

Brady Cook said it best about the November 9 showdown, “When I think of Oklahoma, I think about the College GameDay game at Mizzou when fans rushed the field," Cook said last week at the 2024 SEC Media Days. "We beat the No. 1 overall team. That's what I go back to in my mind because, obviously, that was a big memory for me as a fan. I'm looking forward to this year's game. It's going to be fun."

On the other hand, Brent Venables has defiantly planted his OU flag. "Oklahoma isn't intimidated as a program," Venables said. "We're running towards the SEC."

The Sooners and Tigers are reunited in the SEC, and it feels so good. The potential for hot new rivalry is real. It just means more now.