Kansas used the actual Civil War to hype up a college football game with Missouri

A promotional campaign for the Missouri‑Kansas college football rivalry incorporates imagery and language from the 1860s American Civil War. SB Nation reports that Kansas explicitly used the actual conflict to hype the upcoming game, where the No. 23 Missouri Tigers will travel to Lawrence to face the rival Jayhawks. The approach ties historic war references to the modern matchup, framing the contest with a stark historical lens.

The strategy appears designed to capture fan attention ahead of the Week 2 showdown. The hype coincides with a surge of ancillary coverage as the matchup draws betting interest and logistical guidance. 247Sports posted live updates labeling Missouri as No. 23, while FOX4KC published a game‑day guide promising everything fans need before they go to Lawrence. Betting platforms Kalshi and Polymarket rolled out special promo codes—a $25 bonus via Kalshi’s CBSSPORTS code and a $50 referral offer from Polymarket—targeting wagers on the Missouri‑Kansas contest, with odds highlighted for Week 2.

Kalshi’s promotion also lists the Missouri‑Kansas game alongside other college contests such as Rutgers‑Boston College, indicating a broader betting push for Friday’s football slate. Polymarket’s “OREGON” code is marketed as an enhanced referral for the same Week 2 matchup, emphasizing the odds for Missouri versus Kansas.