In this State of Affairs episode of Saturday vs Sunday, John Barban and Geoff Dover turn their attention to two football-rich regions tied together by one city: Kansas and Missouri. From the NFL’s Kansas City Chiefs to the Big 12’s Kansas Jayhawks and Kansas State Wildcats, and on to the SEC’s Missouri Tigers, the guys break down the storylines, expectations, and roster shake-ups that will shape the 2025 season.
The NFL Side – Kansas City Chiefs:
The defending Super Bowl champs enter the year with the fourth-shortest odds to repeat, but there’s a twist – last season was Patrick Mahomes’ lowest yardage and touchdown total in any full season of his career. The Chiefs leaned heavily on a stifling defense and opportunistic plays in 2024, winning a staggering number of close games. This year’s early schedule is brutal, with matchups against the Chargers, Eagles, Ravens, and Lions in the first six weeks. With the AFC West improving across the board, Kansas City can’t afford a slow start. Key rookies like LT Josh Simmons, DT Omar Norman-Lott, and WR Jalen Royals could be difference-makers.
The Big 12 Picture – Kansas & Kansas State:
The Jayhawks’ Jalen Daniels and the Wildcats’ Avery Johnson both have elite talent but need to cut down on mistakes to elevate their teams. Daniels has a cannon arm and mobility but must limit interceptions, while Johnson’s flashes of brilliance have been offset by inconsistency. Kansas State enters as a co-favorite for the Big 12 title alongside Texas Tech, with a title-game appearance as the baseline expectation. For Kansas, an eight-win season could exceed projections in a conference that feels wide open, with as many as six teams having a legitimate shot at the crown.
The SEC Angle – Missouri Tigers:
Missouri comes off back-to-back double-digit win seasons but now faces turnover on offense, including the loss of star WR Luther Burden and first-round OT Armand Memboo. Penn State transfer Beau Pribula is the likely starter at QB, inheriting a roster with nine defensive starters returning and a heavy dose of veteran leadership. The Tigers avoid both Texas and Georgia, get Alabama, South Carolina, and Texas A&M at home, and could once again play spoiler in the SEC. Early non-conference games, including a matchup with Kansas, will set the tone for the season.
The Transfer Portal Era:
John and Jeff also dive into how NIL and the transfer portal have made college rosters almost unrecognizable year to year, challenging fans to keep up with who’s who. That unpredictability adds intrigue – and chaos – to every new season.
From Mahomes’ quest to reassert dominance, to the Big 12’s QB drama, to Missouri’s defense-led reload, this episode gives listeners a comprehensive, opinionated, and entertaining look at Kansas and Missouri football for 2025. Whether you’re a die-hard Chiefs fan, a Big 12 junkie, or just curious how these programs stack up, this one’s for you.