The History of the Battle Line Trophy Games
We've only won one, so let's stop the streak.
Welcome to Pig Tales! After examining the history of the rivalry between Arkansas and Missouri, I decided to continue the project from last night and analyze each game that was played since the trophy was unveiled in 2015. Before we do that though, I’d like to thank you for reading, and I’d like to ask you to consider subscribing if you haven’t already done so:
Let’s talk Hogs!
2015
Arkansas has only won the gaudy, awful, no good Battle Line trophy one time, and it was in its innaugural year. The game featured Bret Bielema’s Razorbacks (6-5 at the time) and a retiring Gary Pinkel’s Tigers (5-6 at the time). The Razorbacks bullied the Tigers on a miserably rainy day, winning 28-3 and avenging their loss in 2014. An Alex Collins hattrick and a Kody Walker solo effort solidified the lead, as the Tigers couldn’t get anything going on offense. The win saw the Hogs earn a Liberty Bowl berth, where they would beat Kansas State to finish the season 8-5. Mizzou would not be bowl elligible and see a transition of power from their legendary coach Gary Pinkel to rising star and Mizzou alumnus Barry Odom.
2016
The 2016 game breaks my heart, because in my opinion, it solidified the beginning of the end for Bret Bielema’s tenure at Arkansas. The game saw the 7-4 Hogs taking on the 3-8 Tigers playing under first year head coach Barry Odom. The Hogs got out to an impressive 24-7 lead at the half, but saw an unprecedented collapse, as Mizzou scored 21 unanswered points to end the game 28-24. To begin with such swagger and fall apart completely clearly did a number on Bielema’s team, as they never quite recovered. They would blow another large half time lead against Virginia Tech in the Belk Bowl, and finish Bielema’s tenure on a dismal 4-8 run. The last loss for Bielema would not come until 2017 though.
2017
Bret Bielema’s last game as the head coach of Arkansas came in the 2017 edition of the Battle Line Rivalry. It was a hotly contested game, as the Arkansas players sort of knew that they were playing for their coach’s job. Unfortunately, the Hogs would fall short again, losing 48-45 despite taking a 21-7 after the first quarter. The loss resulted in Bret Bielema being fired moments from walking off the field. I always felt conflicted about that decison, but especially now given that hindsight is 2020 and we know what comes next.
2018
Chad Morris’ innaugural Battle Line trophy game came following a miserable 2-9 start. On the other side of the field, Barry Odom’s 7-4 Tigers were surging, somehow making a Derek Dooley coached offense look good. Future NFL quarterback Drew Lock probably helped tremendously. It was a miserable affair for the Hogs, as Connor Noland, John Stephen Jones, and Ty Storey combined for a 10 of 25 passing performance, with no touchdowns and 1 interception. Ironically, this would be Chad Morris’ final Battle Line trophy game as well.
2019
Following Chad Morris’ unceremonious dismissal from Arkansas after a 45-19 buttkicking by Ty Storey’s Western Kentucky Hilltoppers, Barry Lunney Jr. was named interim head coach. He would oversee Arkansas’ final two games, including the 2019 Battle Line game. Barry Odom was still the head coach for Missouri, but had struggled mightily in the absence of Drew Lock. The Tigers entered the game 5-6, and managed to beat the 2-9 Hogs 24-14 in Little Rock. The Hogs were quarterbacked by Jack Lindsey and Ben Hicks, who combined for an 11 of 31 performance with 2 touchdowns and no picks. Interestingly (and for Arkansas fans, expectedly) Mizzou won behind an amazing effort from Fayetteville native quarterback Taylor Powell, Fayetteville native wide receiver Barrett Bannister, and former Razorback grad transfer Jonathan Nance. Despite winning the game though, Barry Odom would be dismissed from Missouri.
Conclusion
That summarizes the history between Arkansas and Missouri completely. The Tigers lead the series 8-3, with four straight wins on the bounce. It will be up to Sam Pittman and former Tiger Barry Odom to stop Arkansas native Eliah Drinkwitz and end the streak. I think despite the miserable nature of the game’s history, there’s a lot to look forward to in a budding rivalry game. Should it have been called AR-MO-geddon or The Ozarkalypse instead? Sure. Should the trophy be anything but a gaudy outline of the states? Absolutely. But despite the sanitized, corporate beginning of the rivalry, I feel like there’s something worth watching here.
Stay tuned for tomorrow’s preview of the 2020 game.
Thank you so much for reading! If you missed the first part of the history, you can read that here. What do you think of the rivalry? Let me know in the comments. And as always, please share with anyone you know— even Tigers fans.
Stay healthy, stay safe, and go Hogs!