The Arkansas-Missouri game now has a snazzy nickname — the Battle Line Rivalry — and a trophy to go with it. What it lacks is the feeling of a true rivalry as the Razorbacks and Tigers get set to meet on a weekend loaded with them.

Arkansas and Missouri share a border, the Ozarks and major donors from the Walton family. There’s also some history between the schools. Frank Broyles coached Mizzou for one season before leaving to take over an Arkansas program where he’d become a national championship winning legend. More recently Mike Anderson left the Tigers basketball program to coach Arkansas.

But the Razorbacks and Tigers have played each other in football just six times since 1906 and the newly designated “rivalry” between the schools comes off as a forced attempt to add importance to a game when everyone else is playing their true rival. Arkansas has a much deeper history with former Southwestern Conference mates Texas and Texas A&M. There’s also a true natural rivalry with LSU, which plays A&M this weekend.

Missouri was part of one of the oldest and most intense rivalries in college sports, but hasn’t played the hated Kansas Jayhawks since moving from the Big 12 to the SEC. People associated with Mizzou are continually lamenting the loss of the Kansas rivalry and frankly it’s difficult to foster a true rivalry with Arkansas with folks from both schools would rather close out the regular season with somebody else.

Both sides say they are embracing the game and the winner will certainly enjoy a photo op with the trophy, but it’s going to take time for the “Battle Line Rivalry” to resonate as anything more than just a PR campaign.

Last year’s meeting was a 21-14 victory for Mizzou, which helped the Tigers get back to the SEC title game. This year the Tigers are looking to secure a bowl bid in what could be coach Gary Pinkel’s final game.

Those are the kind of things that add drama to the matchup and could compile as the years go on. Perhaps Missouri’s next coaching hire will have some kind of connection to the Razorbacks. Maybe just bringing fresh blood unassociated with the old days will allow Mizzou to look more toward the future and embrace Arkansas as a true rival.

The programs will play each other each season from now on, despite residing in different divisions. They are also bound to clash on the recruiting trails.

Perhaps this year’s game will be an all-time classic. We know Arkansas has played some thrillers already. That would go a long way toward making the Battle Line game one to remember.