Battle Line Just Lost A Mizzou Tradition Fans Notice Fast

In an unexpected twist for their traditional rivalry, Mizzou is set to break away from their classic black jerseys as Arkansas opts out of a proposed color rush uniform clash.

Missouri’s annual dress code for the Battle Line Rivalry is getting a reset this Halloween night.

When the 23rd-ranked Tigers visit Arkansas at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium on Saturday at 6:45 p.m.

CT on SEC Network, Missouri is not expected to be in its usual dark home jerseys. That comes directly from coach Eli Drinkwitz, who explained on the SEC coaches teleconference earlier this week that Missouri asked for a “color rush” look but was turned down.

“We always thought that would be a cool thing, like a color rush deal, like what the NFL does,” Drinkwitz said. “We asked to do that this year and were told that we couldn't because both teams had to agree to that and Arkansas had different plans and didn't want to allow us to do that, which is totally their choice, so no problem for us.

“But no, we won't be wearing our dark jerseys for this game.”

The matchup has usually come with a familiar look when Missouri heads to Fayetteville. Most years since 2014, the Tigers have worn black and the Razorbacks have stayed in red when the game is at Arkansas, even as both teams have technically been able to use home uniforms by alternating colors.

There have been a couple of wrinkles along the way. Tennessee and Alabama used that same setup earlier this month in Knoxville, with the Tide in crimson caps and jerseys and the Vols in white caps and orange jerseys. For Missouri and Arkansas, though, this weekend’s setup is different.

Since 2014, Missouri has worn its black home jerseys against Arkansas in every meeting except one. In 2023, the Tigers went with gold in Fayetteville.

Arkansas, meanwhile, wore red at home in the 2014 game in Columbia, then switched to white on the road in the years since. The Razorbacks are again planning a red-on-red combination for Saturday night.

That’s the wardrobe situation. Now the focus shifts to the football.

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