After initially deciding against switching sidelines on Faurot Field, the Missouri football team will indeed move to the west sideline for the 2018 season. The ongoing construction of Memorial Stadium's new south end zone complex factored into the move, helped by a waiver from the Southeastern Conference. The Tigers have been on the east sideline since the 2001 season, Gary Pinkel's first year as head coach.
"After discussing this issue more than a year ago, it was our intent to switch sidelines and make the necessary seating changes at the same time the South End Zone facility came on-line in 2019, however, as we've game-planned for 2018 with our staff, construction team and the Southeastern Conference, we believe that this move must be made in 2018 to avoid logistical challenges that would be problematic for both teams and the game officials," MU athletics director Jim Sterk said.