Final: Missouri 37, Kansas 40

By Lenny Goldman

Published Nov. 29, 2008

For updates during the game, visit The Maneater's live blog.

In a game that traditionally means everything to Missouri football fans, tomorrow's contest against Kansas won't really affect anything other than pride.

The Tigers (9-2, 5-2 Big 12) enter the game as the 2008 Big 12 North champions. They've already reserved a seat to the Big 12 Championship game a week down the road. Missouri's destiny is rather simple: win the Big 12 Championship and go to a BCS bowl or lose it and play in a much less esteemed final game.

Who Missouri will play in the Championship game is still undecided, but the game against Kansas won't make a difference. That's up to Oklahoma, Texas, Texas Tech and the BCS to decide.

What the Tigers can take out of the rivalry matchup is momentum. A victory over the Jayhawks (6-5, 3-4 Big 12) could be just what Missouri needs to provide a spark for its ensuing game against the winner of the Big 12 South.

Last year Missouri clinched the Big 12 North title against the No. 2 and undefeated Jayhawks with a 36-28 at Arrowhead Stadium. Missouri, who was ranked No. 4 at the time, took a 21-0 lead into the third quarter when KU started a rally. The lead dwindled down to six, but former defensive tackle Lorenzo Williams ended all of Kansas' hopes with a sack for a safety with 12 seconds left in the game.

Junior quarterback Todd Reesing will be leading Kansas once again. The undersized quarterback has had another quality season with 3200 yards and 24 touchdowns though the air.

Look for Reesing to try and find sophomore wide receiver Dezmon Briscoe down the field who has 11 receiving touchdowns this year. Kansas should try to pick apart a Missouri secondary that's been inconsistent all year long.

It should be very interesting to see what the energy will be like at Arrowhead on Saturday. Kansas will want nothing more to upset its bitter rival at the end of a disappointing season while Missouri players might have avoiding injury on their minds.

Despite the lack of post season implications that the game has, get ready for Missouri to put on a show as it's going to want to gain confidence heading into the championship weekend.

PREDICTION: Missouri 38, Kansas 17

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