最新杏吧原创

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. 鈥� Eli Drinkwitz doesn鈥檛 want you to compare this loss to the one to Texas A&M. Seriously.

His Tigers (6-2 overall, 2-2 Southeastern Conference) have lost two games this season, both this month. One was 41-10 to the Aggies, the other was 34-0 to Alabama on Saturday.

Both defeats came via conference foes on the road, in some of the nation鈥檚 biggest stadiums. Both were smackdowns, solidly out of hand before their scores were final. Both saw Mizzou鈥檚 offense struggle to ignite in any meaningful way or prompt fashion. Both call into question the ceiling of this year鈥檚 鈥� wait, this is the thing Drinkwitz doesn鈥檛 want to do be done.

鈥淣o, I didn鈥檛 see any similarities,鈥� Drinkwitz said of the two scars on MU鈥檚 record. 鈥淚 saw three turnovers. I saw a bunch of guys, beat to crap, that went out there and fought their butt off. It wasn鈥檛 anything similar to Texas A&M at all. It was 13-nothing at halftime (Saturday) because of an interception. We fought our butt off.

鈥淎ny other conversation outside that鈥檚 ridiculous.鈥�

Whoa, whoa, whoa. This story must be ridiculous, then, because there must be some common denominators between the Tigers鈥� worst showings of the year and the fact that they came within a few weeks of each other.

But first, to his point: Unlike against A&M, Missouri鈥檚 defense had a solid game against 鈥橞ama. Like Drinkwitz mentioned, the Tigers trailed by only 13 points at halftime 鈥� and seven of those points were fairly attributable to an interception thrown by backup quarterback Drew Pyne that gave the Tide the ball just 35 yards away from the end zone.

On drives that didn鈥檛 start with an Alabama interception, the Mizzou defense held the hosts to two touchdowns and two field goals. Of course, any points allowed at all would have been too much for the Tigers offense to surmount, but that seems like a competitive showing under the circumstances and the Crimson Tide鈥檚 offensive talent.

鈥淧roud of our defense, the way they came out and fought,鈥� Drinkwitz said. 鈥淭hought they gave us an opportunity to stay in the game.鈥�

Alabama was just 2 for 9 on third downs and faced an average distance of 9.4 yards to gain in those situations.

For what makes that different from the Texas A&M game: The Aggies converted 7 of 12 third downs in that contest.

Mizzou benefited from some individual playmaking on third downs against 鈥橞ama. Cornerback Nicholas Deloach Jr. made a nice play from the slot corner position, gaining ground at the last moment on his coverage assignment to knock a pass away. Defensive end Johnny Walker Jr. had two sacks, both of which came on third downs.

鈥淚 don鈥檛 think nobody gave up,鈥� Walker said. 鈥淛ust kept fighting, kept pushing. That鈥檚 really it.鈥�

Also different from the loss to A&M is the dominant offensive storyline for the Tigers: In College Station, there were questions about whether quarterback Brady Cook was hurt. In Tuscaloosa, there was X-ray proof Cook was not just injured but doubly so, playing through a high ankle sprain before exiting with an undisclosed upper-body injury.

But back to these 鈥渞idiculous鈥� parallels.

In both the losses to A&M and Alabama, Mizzou was held to 254 or fewer yards of total offense and 15 or fewer first downs.

The Tigers鈥� lowest yardage total in a win this season is the 353 they gained against Auburn the previous weekend. The fewest first downs they鈥檝e picked up in a victory is 20, also from that game against Auburn.

And given where the Auburn game falls on the schedule 鈥� right in between these conference defeats 鈥� the stats show a step backward in conference play for this Missouri team.

For a niche similarity: Both games were telecast nationally on ABC.

And for this Mizzou team, the process of how those games were lost might not matter much anymore. Results do, and those outcomes were the same: defeats that diminish MU鈥檚 national reputation.

A bid for a spot in the 12-team College Football Playoff now is a longshot at best. There are questions about health 鈥� from Cook to running back Nate Noel, who missed the game because of a foot injury 鈥� and what the Missouri offense can accomplish and what teams the Tigers actually can beat.

Naturally, that鈥檚 a bit cynical for a coach to voice after the game. On the other side of next weekend鈥檚 bye, Drinkwitz said he sees 鈥渇our SEC games, still a potential to finish with a double-digit win season.鈥�

But that鈥檚 not the potential that was there for this program before its two losses this year to date 鈥� two losses that, similar or different, have changed the course of a promising Missouri season.

Mizzou Sports News

Hochman: An obituary for Mizzou鈥檚 playoff dream after the lopsided loss to Alabama

• Benjamin Hochman

Mizzou Sports News

Cook鈥檚 injury, Pyne鈥檚 interceptions stifle No. 21 Mizzou in loss to No. 15 Alabama

• Eli Hoff

Mizzou Sports News

Read the full transcript of Mizzou beat writer Eli Hoff's sports chat

• Eli Hoff

Photos: No. 21 Mizzou blitzed by No. 15 Alabama

Mizzou鈥檚 College Football Playoff dream, a daring-yet-prevalent conviction and the talk of Tigers faithful, died Saturday. It was 303 days old. It is survived by eternally hard-luck fans across Missouri and sportswriters who, alas, predicted in the preseason that the dream actually would come true.

The cause of death was the 34-0 final score of Saturday鈥檚 game at Alabama. But there were numerous warning signs in recent weeks. An unimpressive win against Boston College. Needing overtime to defeat Vanderbilt. The loss 鈥� not that it happened, but by how much 鈥� at Texas A&M. Brady Cook鈥檚 ankle injury against Auburn. And then, Cook鈥檚 upper body injury (apparently to his throwing hand) Saturday at Alabama.

Born in the moments after last December鈥檚 Cotton Bowl, Mizzou鈥檚 playoff dream became a confluence of storylines, be it the return this season of the quarterback Cook and receiver Luther Burden III, the seemingly favorable schedule, the growth of Eli Drinkwitz as a coach and recruiter and, most significantly, the expansion of the College Football Playoff field from four to 12 teams.

But the dream is dead. The Tigers have two losses. The final, fatal blow was Cook鈥檚 injury, which the team did not specify beyond an 鈥渦pper body鈥� ailment, but seems to be one to his passing hand as shown by the ABC telecast. It was, as is often said about Mizzou sports misfortunes, the 鈥渕ost Mizzou thing ever.鈥� The Tigers finally had a good team and their gutsy quarterback played on an injured ankle, only to end his day because of a different injury.

鈥楤补尘补. Man, this would鈥檝e been the game. This was the Alabama team to beat. Already had two losses. New coach after the Nick Saban era ended. Questions about cohesion. A ranking of No. 15, the lowest for a Crimson Tide football team since 2011.

And if No. 21 Mizzou had won, it still would鈥檝e been a win on the road against an Alabama team. It still would鈥檝e counted as a marquee victory.

And what will haunt Mizzou after this one (OK, what 飞辞苍鈥檛 haunt Mizzou?) is the fact that the defense kept the Tigers in it for a while. The home team didn鈥檛 even score a touchdown in its first five drives 鈥� and only had six points via a pair of field goals.

But once Cook was cooked, that meant the insertion of his backup, a fellow named Drew Pyne who, in line with all the angst from fans, fittingly has a first name and a last name that are four-letter words.

Look, it鈥檚 hard to get a quality backup quarterback in this transfer portal era. Guys want to start. So, guys dart. And Mizzou did bring in someone with pedigree 鈥� when Pyne was with Notre Dame, he actually quarterbacked the gold-domers to wins over ranked opponents.

But on Saturday, Pyne made fans pine for, well, literally anyone else. He was next-level awful. His first of three interceptions, with Mizzou down 6-0 late in the second quarter, gave 鈥橞ama good field position for its first touchdown.

Now, look 鈥� 13-0 at the half shouldn鈥檛 have looked too overwhelming. But Pyne was just awkward and awful, so it felt like 130-0. Even more maddening was the fact that Pyne got the majority of snaps in practice during the week. It wasn鈥檛 like he was just thrown in there; he had prepared to be in there.

Even with Cook playing in the first two quarters, Missouri looked inferior. Alabama, after all, still has studs. But there were some questionable play calls from coordinator Kirby Moore. And Cook鈥檚 receivers could鈥檝e done better at breaking free 鈥� a couple times, Cook was forced to just throw the ball away. But with Cook, there was hope.

And while some can complain that injuries to running back Nate Noel and receiver Mookie Cooper hindered the offense, the reality is 鈥� a playoff-worthy team can overcome those losses.

A hindered quarterback, though? Well, here we are, in the midst of an obituary.

Incidentally, some around Missouri might speak of a resurrection 鈥� could a two-loss Tigers team somehow crack the playoff field? Let鈥檚 be real here. Even if there are spots for two-loss teams, one isn鈥檛 going to a team that had its best win against Vanderbilt.

The Tigers should be favored in their final four games 鈥� Oklahoma, at South Carolina, at Mississippi State, Arkansas 鈥� but it really is just a question of which second-tier bowl they鈥檒l make. It鈥檚 all so deflating. It鈥檚 like discussing the 2025 最新杏吧原创 Cardinals but then remembering how it鈥檚 going to be a rebuilding year.

And so, regarding the Tigers, even in late October we already can declare this as a bona fide 鈥渨hat if鈥� season. One we鈥檒l refer to it for years to come: 鈥淩emember when they had Brady Cook and Luther Burden but didn鈥檛 make the playoff?鈥�

There 飞辞苍鈥檛 be a funeral for Mizzou鈥檚 College Football Playoff dream, but there will be a celebration of life Nov. 9 at Faurot Field. The Tigers will play a football game against the Sooners. Attendees will, for one of two reasons, wear black.

Mizzou Sports News

Cook鈥檚 injury, Pyne鈥檚 interceptions stifle No. 21 Mizzou in loss to No. 15 Alabama

• Eli Hoff

Mizzou Sports News

Why the intricacies of QB footwork could help Mizzou's Brady Cook if he plays Saturday

• Eli Hoff

Mizzou Sports News

3 things to watch for when No. 21 Mizzou faces No. 15 Alabama

• Eli Hoff

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. 鈥� In the week leading up to its game at No. 15 Alabama on Saturday, No. 21 Missouri was surrounded by an odd amount of confidence.

It was odd, or maybe just unexpected, because the Tigers鈥� starting quarterback began the week doubtful to play because of a high ankle sprain and their backup had taken most of the first-team reps in practice. That made them two-touchdown underdogs when they entered sold-out Bryant-Denny Stadium, which does not seem like a recipe for confidence.

Yet quarterback Brady Cook had given Mizzou a dose of confidence. As his status improved 鈥� from doubtful to questionable to game-time decision to on-the-field 鈥� it seemed as if MU might have a chance.

And then Cook was hurt again, and all the confidence Missouri had built flew the coop.

The Tigers trailed 6-0 when Cook ran to the Mizzou locker room for an X-ray following an upper-body injury. They ended up losing to the Crimson Tide 34-0, the first time MU has been shut out since a 27-0 loss to Georgia in 2019.

鈥淥ffensively, with Brady鈥檚 injury, just couldn鈥檛 ever get in rhythm,鈥� coach Eli Drinkwitz said, 鈥渁nd then obviously the turnovers really put us behind the eight ball and just put the defense in too many bad spots today.鈥�

The turnovers are the story, the hallmark, the alarm bell behind the loss of confidence and the loss itself, which moves Missouri to 6-2 overall this season and 2-2 against Southeastern Conference opponents.

Mizzou was outgained 486-239 in total yardage and 215-72 in passing yards.

Backup quarterback Drew Pyne, in a moment of need, gifted 鈥橞ama the ball on three separate occasions, throwing three interceptions. A quarter of the passes he threw Saturday went to the other team.

His first came shortly after Cook鈥檚 departure. After the starting quarterback took a hit on the sideline early in the game, he underwent imaging inside the stadium.

鈥淭hey took an X-ray and didn鈥檛 feel like they were comfortable with letting him continue,鈥� Drinkwitz said, 鈥渟o we鈥檒l see where that goes when we get back.鈥�

He didn鈥檛 specify the nature of Cook鈥檚 injury any more than the upper body designation given by a team spokesperson at halftime. Cook鈥檚 right (passing) hand seemed to be causing him some discomfort while he was on the sideline, but it鈥檚 possible his ribs or another part of his upper body were involved.

With the game shaping up to be a rock fight between the Tide and the Tigers, Pyne threw his first pick of the day on a third down. Whether he and wide receiver Luther Burden III weren鈥檛 on the same page or Pyne just missed the throw badly, the ball ended up in Alabama鈥檚 hands 鈥� and not even the hands of the defensive back covering Burden, but another parked several yards away.

鈥楤补尘补 scored its first touchdown of the day on the next drive, taking a 13-0 lead into halftime.

鈥淐an鈥檛 throw the interception right there before half,鈥� Drinkwitz said. 鈥淛ust spiraled after that.鈥�

Yes, downward it went. Tide quarterback Jalen Milroe鈥檚 breakaway rush and dive to the pylon led to a touchdown early in the third quarter. Then Pyne retook the field and threw another interception.

Less than two minutes of game time later, it was three picks on the day for the transfer QB. The throws were poorly targeted, but Drinkwitz saw them as well-intentioned.

鈥淗e鈥檚 trying to win the game,鈥� the fifth-year coach said. 鈥淗e鈥檚 trying to put us in a position to get back in the game, and I understand that, but we just can鈥檛 put the ball in jeopardy in those situations. Ultimately, it鈥檚 on me. I gotta do a better job coaching and stuff in those situations and not put it on him.鈥�

Mizzou had its best chance of the afternoon to score near the end of the game, with a first and goal from Alabama鈥檚 7-yard line. One 5-yard rush got the Tigers to the 2, then they moved to the 1. But the Crimson Tide stuffed two rushing plays from a yard out to complete the shutout, drawing celebrations from their first-year coach Kalen DeBoer.

Pyne 鈥� who briefly was taken out for the game so that JR Blood could get a series at quarterback 鈥� said he felt his teammates鈥� support on the sideline, even amid the string of interceptions.

Both offensive and defensive players told him that they 鈥渉ad my back, told me they love me,鈥� Pyne said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a part of football. You just got to keep going.鈥�

He transferred to Missouri in the summer after a rocky, injury-troubled start to his collegiate career at Notre Dame and Arizona State, relishing the opportunity to work with Cook and offensive coordinator Kirby Moore. Pyne clearly is the No. 2 option at quarterback this season and recruited as such, though he has eligibility beyond this year.

He struck a determined tone after his rough outing.

鈥淎t this point, I got two options as a man: curl up in a ball and whatever, or try as hard as I can and get better,鈥� Pyne said. 鈥淚 love these guys in this locker room, and I鈥檓 gonna do everything I can.鈥�

Drinkwitz, who was held scoreless by another team for the first time in his collegiate coaching career, defended his backup quarterback who might 鈥� depending on the severity of Cook鈥檚 second injury 鈥� be called upon for some part of the final four games of the season.

鈥淒rew came in there and competed,鈥� Drinkwitz said. 鈥淣ot disappointed in him, disappointed in myself. It鈥檚 not on Drew, it鈥檚 on me.鈥�

Mizzou Sports News

Why the intricacies of QB footwork could help Mizzou's Brady Cook if he plays Saturday

• Eli Hoff

Mizzou Sports News

Read the full transcript of Mizzou beat writer Eli Hoff's sports chat

• Eli Hoff

Ben Frederickson

BenFred: Alabama is beatable 鈥� if Mizzou quarterback Brady Cook can give it a go

• Ben Frederickson

Photos: No. 21 Mizzou blitzed by No. 15 Alabama

No. 15 Alabama 34, No. 21 Missouri 0

Missouri 0 0 0 0 鈥� 0

Alabama 3 10 14 7 鈥� 34

First Quarter

础尝础鈥�FG Nicholson 47, 8:50.

Second Quarter

础尝础鈥�FG Nicholson 39, 4:38.

础尝础鈥�J.Miller 3 run (Nicholson kick), 1:54.

Third Quarter

础尝础鈥�Milroe 9 run (Nicholson kick), 12:33.

础尝础鈥�J.Miller 11 run (Nicholson kick), 4:28.

Fourth Quarter

础尝础鈥�Haynes 35 run (Nicholson kick), 11:06.

MIZZ ALA

First downs 15 22

Total Net Yards 239 486

Rushes-yards 39-167 37-271

Passing 72 215

Punt Returns 0-0 2-15

Kickoff Returns 1-5 1-12

Interceptions Ret. 0-0 3-31

Comp-Att-Int 13-24-3 16-26-0

Sacked-Yards Lost 1-8 2-11

Punts 7-44.714 5-49.2

Fumbles-Lost 0-0 0-0

Penalties-Yards 5-55 7-85

Time of Possession 30:13 29:47

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING鈥�Missouri, Carroll 17-80, Roberts 17-71, Burden 2-15, Pyne 1-10, J.Blood 1-(minus 1), Cook 1-(minus 8). Alabama, Haynes 8-79, Young 3-63, Milroe 11-50, Miller 11-48, Law 1-21, D.Hill 2-7, Simpson 1-3.

PASSING鈥�Missouri, Pyne 6-12-3-42, Cook 7-12-0-30. Alabama, Milroe 16-26-0-215.

RECEIVING鈥�Missouri, Norfleet 3-23, Burden 3-3, Wease 2-19, Roberts 1-10, Manning 1-6, Carroll 1-5, Harris 1-5, M.Johnson 1-1. Alabama, Bernard 5-82, R.Williams 4-53, Dippre 2-27, Law 2-17, Henderson 1-28, Ouzts 1-6, Haynes 1-2.

MISSED FG鈥�Missouri, Craig 49.

COLUMBIA, Mo. 鈥� You are a right-handed quarterback, dropping back to pass.

You call out the cadence and catch the shotgun snap 鈥� the start of most plays in Missouri鈥檚 offense. You lift your right foot and pivot 90 degrees clockwise, your hips opening as you begin to bounce subtly backward.

Your left foot moves next, almost crossing your body as you take a controlled hop away from the line of scrimmage, a kind of taut shuffling move.

Then comes the weight transfer, the explosion, the part of the throwing motion that will likely determine whether Mizzou quarterback Brady Cook is able to play 鈥� or able to play like himself 鈥� in Saturday鈥檚 game against Alabama after the high right ankle sprain he suffered last weekend.

This is a three-step drop, a quick one. Your right foot was step one, your left foot step two. Step three is your right again, with the momentum from your left foot鈥檚 almost-cross step shuttling you back to your final destination.

Your back leg 鈥� your right leg 鈥� catches your momentum, halting your brief backward movement. It flexes momentarily and tenses, your muscles prepared to fire forward as you throw the ball. Pause. This is the critical moment in your dropback, from a form and footwork standpoint. What your legs do next will determine whether your pass has any power.

Enter at this juncture Matt Biermann, a private quarterbacks coach in Chesterfield. He trained former MU quarterback and first-round draft pick Blaine Gabbert and has been Cook鈥檚 personal coach since the current Tigers QB鈥檚 youth football days.

鈥淧eople will think you鈥檙e pushing off the back foot, and it鈥檚 really not the case,鈥� Biermann said of this freeze-frame in a dropback. 鈥淚t鈥檚 more of a gathering and sending the energy into the ground and then repurposing it and sending it up to your front foot.鈥�

If you do it right, your weight goes from teetering backward to tipping forward, your left leg 鈥� your front leg 鈥� being the fulcrum for this football-throwing lever. As you snap your arm through the throwing motion, this leg stays engaged, giving you the torque behind your pass.

This mechanical gives Biermann optimism regarding Cook鈥檚 ability to play and effectively throw the ball this week. It鈥檚 unlikely Missouri or Cook will know for certain whether his ankle will be in playable shape until shortly before Saturday鈥檚 2:30 p.m. kickoff, but this could be the eventual reason why it鈥檚 possible for him to play.

And there鈥檚 little doubt that Cook will be trying to get out there. 鈥淜nowing him, he鈥檚 gonna do everything he can to get on the field and do it again,鈥� Biermann said. The quarterback texted his private coach this week saying as much.

If Cook does play, it鈥檚 that moment in his dropback and the fact that it鈥檚 his right ankle that could make all the difference.

鈥淥n the end of a drop, if you think about that, the right foot gathers all of the energy into the ground, and then it anchors while he鈥檚 moving his left foot into position,鈥� Biermann said. 鈥淭he good thing is, from a mechanical standpoint, if he鈥檚 able to get some energy gathered into that right foot, the left foot is actually the more important foot in the equation because that鈥檚 the foot that posts in the ground and drives the energy up through the body 鈥� as long as he鈥檚 able to get enough, slow himself down enough 鈥� when he goes to throw, that left leg will then take over.鈥�

Of course, it would be better if Cook had two healthy ankles, but the dichotomy of what each ankle has to do during the throwing motion makes the sprain on his right joint something of a silver lining.

鈥淭he left side鈥檚 so integral to the force production that I would prefer it to be the right ankle (hurt), if it鈥檚 me, just because of what I鈥檝e seen over the years with our quarterbacks,鈥� Biermann said. 鈥淚t could become really problematic if they can鈥檛 extend their front leg when they鈥檙e throwing.鈥�

On Saturday, Cook will likely be testing several aspects of his ankle鈥檚 mobility and ability to handle weight. Ideally for Mizzou, Cook can run, too, which strains ankles differently from the throwing potion. Pain tolerance could also be a factor, though it would seem the threshold for discomfort that would keep the fifth-year quarterback out of the game is quite high.

Cook was listed as questionable on Friday night's injury report. He suffered the sprain on the first drive of MU鈥檚 game against Auburn, a play that took Cook out of the game and actually sent him to the hospital for an MRI. Through the power of will and an undisclosed treatment inside the team facility, he returned to lead Missouri鈥檚 comeback.

Along with preparing for the No. 15 Crimson Tide, one of Cook鈥檚 challenges this week has been recovery for his ankle.

鈥淢y suspicion is with him, just knowing who he is and how he鈥檚 made, he will work equally as hard at game planning as getting himself prepared this week,鈥� Biermann said. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 what you get with Brady Cook, right?鈥�

In the wake of Cook鈥檚 injury news, Biermann has been thinking about an old video he sent to the quarterback before the season started. It was filmed sometime when Cook was in elementary school, when he attended Mizzou games as a kid in the stands, not a starter.

In the video, Cook runs out onto the field in pads with a chunky cast on his left wrist 鈥� some sort of injury he was playing through, even at that age.

鈥淚f he was willing to do that for the O鈥橣allon Junior Renegades,鈥� Biermann said, 鈥渢hen I think he鈥檚 willing to do it for the Missouri Tigers.鈥�

Mizzou Sports News

3 things to watch for when No. 21 Mizzou faces No. 15 Alabama

• Eli Hoff

Mizzou Sports News

Read the full transcript of Mizzou beat writer Eli Hoff's sports chat

• Eli Hoff

Mizzou Sports News

'Zero hesitation': How No. 21 Mizzou wants to play, chasing upset of No. 15 Alabama on the road

• Eli Hoff

From the it鈥檚 never-to-early files:

This year鈥檚 World Series is only beginning this weekend, but two of the walk-in legal sportsbooks in the area already have posted odds on teams to win the 2025 Fall Classic.

The Cardinals, who are facing many key player retention questions, are far down the lists 鈥� 60-1 at DraftKings (Casino Queen in East 最新杏吧原创) and FanDuel (horse track in Collinsville). There are 20 teams that have lower odds at FanDuel, 19 at DraftKings. The other parlor, ESPN Bet (Argosy casino in Alton), did not have a price listed as of Friday afternoon.

Not surprisingly, this year鈥檚 Series participants are at the top of the odds heap to win next year. The Los Angeles Dodgers are 4-1 at both houses, while DraftKings has the New York Yankees at 7-1 and FanDuel lists them at 7陆-1.

Among the Cardinals鈥� National League Central rivals, the Chicago Cubs have the lowest odds (25-1 at FD, 28-1 at DK). Milwaukee is second (40-1 at both). Next comes the Cards, followed by Cincinnati (50-1 at DraftKings, 60-1 at FanDuel) and Pittsburgh (100-1 at both).

Tale of the Tigers

Mizzou was a 13陆-point underdog to Alabama in Saturday鈥檚 game when lines were posted on Sunday, but that was before the injury report that came out Wednesday listing three key offensive players as doubtful because of injuries 鈥� quarterback Brady Cook, leading rusher Nate Noel and wideout Mookie Cooper.

By Wednesday night the line had jumped three points, to the Crimson Tide being favored by 16陆, at all three area books. By Friday afternoon it had risen to 17 at DraftKings, 17陆 at FanDuel and Argosy.

Missouri鈥檚 odds of making the 12-team college football playoff field also have been affected not only by this news but also by a blowout loss to Texas A&M and several narrow victories.

After being as low as +150 over the summer (at Argosy, where a successful $100 bet would reap a $150 profit), the price had soared to 6-1 there after the loss at A&M. However, an ensuing spate of losses by other ranked teams actually has lowered the odds on MU gaining a playoff spot. As of Friday, the Tigers were a measly 2-1 at DraftKings, 4-1 at FanDuel and 5-1 at Argosy.

Socked by soccer

City SC had a storybook Major League soccer debut season last year on the field and for bettors who backed the club.

The expansion club won its first five matches, often at big odds, and claimed the Western Conference title. Those who bet $100 on the team to win all its games and used the three-way line, which includes the option of selecting the match to end in a tie as well as picking either team to win, came out $1,247 ahead.

The opposite was the case this season, which City wrapped up last weekend with a 4-1 loss to Minnesota. The club won just eight of its 34 contests, resulting in a loss of a tidy $1,600 for those $100 three-way bettors.

The two-season bottom line: a hole $353 deep.

Upcoming picks

We were 1-1 with our selections last week and down 1陆 units. That runs the season tally to 7-7 and half a unit to the positive. Picks can range from one to five units and prices listed are the most favorable as of Friday afternoon among the three walk-in shops in the area. One last look:

MISSOURI AT ALABAMA, 2:30 p.m. Saturday: Injuries have wacked Mizzou, a bad sign vs. a Crimson Tide squad that will be looking to take out its frustrations that uncharacteristically has two losses before November, including one last week at Tennessee. With Tigers QB Brady Cook unlikely to play (or be compromised if he does) because of an ankle injury, and receiver Mookie Cooper out because of an undisclosed ailment and leading running back Nate Noel unlikely to play because of foot problem. Look for 鈥橞ama to assert itself early as it preys on its hobbled foe.

Alabama -9陆 for the first half (Argosy). 2 units

CHICAGO AT WASHINGTON, 3:25 p.m. Sunday: This has been billed as the 鈥淒raft Bowl,鈥� with quarterbacks who were picked No. 1 (Chicago鈥檚 Caleb Williams) and No. 2 (the Commanders鈥� Jayden Daniels) set to take turns on the field leading the offense of each team. However, Daniels鈥� status is iffy because of a rib injury that knocked him out of his team鈥檚 game last week ... and 鈥渋ffy鈥� might be a generous assessment. It seems likely that Marcus Mariota will start for Washington instead, but he is capable and we think the line is inflated too far in the visitors鈥� favor. Take Washington plus the field-goal buffer.

Commanders + 3 (all three books), 3 units.

Bets are off

This will be the final installment of the Better Bettor column. Quite simply, with sports betting still not legal in Missouri there has not been enough reader interest to warrant its continuation. For those who have been reading, thanks, and good luck. With the way some of these sportsbooks are setting odds, plus the way they are reeling in some folks with heavily promoted sucker-bet same-game parlays, the general betting public needs it.

Bring your Tigers football, basketball and recruiting questions, and talk to Eli Hoff in a live chat at 11 a.m. Thursday.

Transcript

Eli 贬辞蹿蹿:听Good morning and happy Thursday, all! Thanks for coming by this week's Mizzou chat. I'll take your questions and thoughts for the next couple of hours here, so... what have you got?

叠谤别迟迟辞:听Has the NCAA placed limits on the total amount of money a college can use for NIL and is there a single player limit. I worry that college football will go the way of the Major League Baseball in that the schools with 100,000 seat stadiums and rich alumni will simply buy all the best players.

贬辞蹿蹿:听The short answer is no, and that it's already going that way.

There will be a limit on revenue sharing, once that takes effect, with a cap of sorts likely in the $22 million range (though I think that will go up each year to some degree, as those things do). But while that's a cap for that specific form of compensation for athletes, at the highest level of college sports, it's really the floor 鈥� you'll see schools stack NIL on top of that. The cost is only going to keep going up. And there just are only so many schools that can realistically keep pace to be competitive. The SEC and Big Ten seem to be pulling away in that regard. There will be degrees of investment and spending within those conferences as well. But I don't think there's a way to come back from this kind of split when the path forward is what it is.

叠谤别迟迟辞:听Luther Burden is constantly put in motion, but very rarely is thrown the ball. He is a once in a decade player for Mizzou and it seems like they are wasting his talent and limited time at Missouri.

贬辞蹿蹿:听It took Mizzou 31 plays to get him a touch against Auburn. That just can't happen. I fully understand that teams are trying to take him away and he's priority No. 1 for opposing defenses. I also understand that there's a lot I don't know about football. But to me, the simple tenet of giving your generational talent the football seems like a good core philosophy for this offense.

Eli Drinkwitz talked about Burden's muffed punt being a well-intentioned error because he was frustrated and wanted to make a play. Maybe if he'd gotten the ball a few more times before that point, a mistake like that doesn't happen. But letting a 30-play stretch at any point in a game pass by without a Burden touch is the sort of thing that costs a team wins.

叠辞诲迟颈苍:听What do you think the big issue was last year with the men鈥檚 basketball team. And have we corrected that issue

贬辞蹿蹿:听On one level, the big issue was injuries. So many guys got hurt, which stunted both development for young players and the ability of some veteran players to contribute. I'm not saying Mizzou would've been a Sweet Sixteen team with everyone healthy, but I think it would've at least, like, won a conference game. So in that sense, I think there's optimism that the injury bug just can't be as bad as it was last year.

On the court, I'd say the biggest issue was post play. Not having a reliable center cost Missouri on the boards, in having that as a scoring option and in being able to defend down there. I don't think the Tigers need an elite center, even, just someone viable. Josh Gray coming in should help. He at least has the size and experience, so there's a base level of competence. Peyton Marshall has the size, too. He'll have to adjust to the college game, but that should help too. This is no knock on Aidan Shaw, but I think if he doesn't have to come in and play the 5, Mizzou has done what it's needed to at the center position.听

叠辞诲迟颈苍:听it was great to see a lot of Mizzou fans at the UMass game. I know it鈥檚 not a party, but as an alarm, it was great to see Mizzou out here.

贬辞蹿蹿:听I couldn't reliably put a number on it, but there was a strong showing of Mizzou fans at that game. One half of the stadium was occupied by what seemed to be almost exclusively Missouri folks. I imagine if you're an alum on the east coast or in New England (or wanted an excuse for a trip out there in the fall), it was cool to see your team in that neck of the woods. I personally had a blast visiting that part of the country for the first time.

叠辞诲迟颈苍:听Is gates on the hot seat if we don鈥檛 make the NCAA tournament

贬辞蹿蹿:听Some of this will depend on Laird Veatch's expectations for the men's hoops program this year, but I'm inclined to think no. I'm not really sure what the job security bar is for Dennis Gates this season. I think his seat would be quite hot if he doesn't win a conference game again, but I'm not sure what threshold you say Mizzou absolutely needs to hit. Making it back to the tournament would obviously be a big step for him and this program, but I think a respectable showing in SEC play is the more reasonable expectation.

叠辞诲迟颈苍:听Who has been your favorite person to interview so far at Mizzou

贬辞蹿蹿:听This is a fun one. I've gotten to talk with offensive coordinator Kirby Moore individually at a couple of media days, and that's always fun. He knows a ton. I think my favorite football assistant to talk to, though, is cornerbacks coach Al Pogue. He's funny, genuine and always has some really good insight. On the basketball side, Coach Nutt is full of wisdom and energy 鈥� and he got to ring the bell last week after his cancer treatment, which is just wonderful to see. Player wise, Darius Robinson was the gold standard last year. Just a great dude who was thoughtful when he spoke with media.

叠辞诲迟颈苍:听how is Kobe doing.

贬辞蹿蹿:听Kobe Brown was a DNP in the Clippers' season-opener last night. Seems like he'll be pushing for a spot on the roster and in the back end of the rotation again this season.

闯别谤别尘测:听I know a lot of people, you and Ben included, have compared Cook to his numbers from last year. But last year he had a good O-line. Have you compared him to 2022 when he had poor pass protection and TE's and RB's were being used as extra blockers? How does he stack up with that Brady Cook? ... I also feel like this is yet another season where in December/January Drinkwitz is going to reveal that Cook was actually playing hurt all season. After his injection against Auburn I think that became undeniable. And I realize you're asking Drinkwitz about injuries; there's nothing more we can do.

贬辞蹿蹿:听Maybe that is the fairest way to do it. Here are his per-game stats and percentages for those two seasons... 2022: 210.7 pass yards per game, 64.8% comp, 1.08 TDs, 0.54 INTs, 45 rush yards, 0.46 rush TD. 2024: 220.7 pass yds per game, 63.1%, 1 TD, 0.14 INT, 16.7 rush yds, 0.57 rush TDs.

So, basically: Slightly more yardage, a comparable but slightly down completion percentage, about the same number of passing TDs, way fewer interceptions, less rushing yardage but more scores on the ground.听

Cook mentioned during an on-air interview with a KC radio station last week that he'd been dealing with some lower-body stuff, which confirms a lot of folks' suspicions 鈥� and goes against what Cook and Drinkwitz had said. That was before this ankle sprain, too. But now at least it's clear that he's dealing with an injury, so no dodging that now.

叠辞诲迟颈苍:听Do you think our issue in basketball is talent or not the appropriate coaching?

贬辞蹿蹿:听I think it was evident last year that there just weren't the pieces to be a high-level team. Replacing Kobe Brown, for example, required talent and not just scheme. A player like Noah Carter struggled to step into that role. That's not to say there weren't coaching plans that didn't work out, but I do think there was a lack of talent that could round out a rotation. And again, injuries are a factor there.

叠辞诲迟颈苍:听how is our basketball recruiting looking for next yea

Hoff:听Four-star PG Aaron Rowe, who plays locally at Father Tolton in Columbia, remains the only commitment. Mizzou's going after a couple other players, but this won't be another five-man recruiting class. It seems like it'll be just a few guys who the staff really likes as developmental pieces.

叠辞诲迟颈苍:听What is up with our poor pass protection when we pass?

贬辞蹿蹿:听Mizzou lost two veterans on the left side of the offensive line. Replacing them was always going to be tough. Cayden Green is in just his second year of college football. Marcus Bryant is making the jump from SMU to the SEC. That has caused some growing pains and a step back from last year.

叠辞诲迟颈苍:听I really had high expectations for our receiving group this year. What happened?

贬辞蹿蹿:听A handful of things coalescing. The deep ball hasn't been there. At times that's been a Cook issue, a pass protection issue and a wideouts-not-finishing-their-routes issue. Contested catches aren't happening like they were last year. Burden has missed time and been limited by a lack of targets, like we talked about earlier. It's clear the talent is still there, but this hasn't been the best wide receiver corps in the country by a long shot.

叠辞诲迟颈苍:听do we make nil $ amounts public ?

贬辞蹿蹿:听No, and I'm not aware of anywhere that does. It's a problem across the country. No transparency and no safeguards... yuck!

叠辞诲迟颈苍:听do you travel to away football games? What about men鈥檚 bball

Hoff:听Yes, I travel for all football road games 鈥� I'll be in Tuscaloosa this weekend and then Starkville and Columbia, SC in November. I'll also be in Memphis for the men's basketball opener. But that team doesn't actually go on the road again until January. We're working out plans for what SEC basketball games are worth going to cover versus doing remotely.

叠辞诲迟颈苍:听what Sports teams, do you follow up besides Mizzou?

贬辞蹿蹿:听My following of Mizzou is unique because it's a) my job and b) as a journalist, I'm not a fan. I don't get a chance to watch much besides Mizzou in the college sports world. I grew up in Minnesota, so every Vikings game is appointment viewing, and the Twins disappoint me at the end of every summer. I didn't watch much basketball as a kid but started tuning in for the Celtics right around Jayson Tatum's emergence. I love watching soccer, so I'll watch Minnesota United (the first sports team I covered) in MLS and Aston Villa in the Premier League.

闯辞丑苍尝:听The game Saturday could get out of hand by quarter 2 unless MU's offensive line shows up and blocks the 'Bama front 7. Thus far in 2024, our line is soft and gets pushed around. We made Auburn look like a top team. What does your crystal ball tell us MIZZOU fans.

贬辞蹿蹿:听I agree with you there. Drinkwitz compared the Alabama defensive line and pass rush to Texas A&M's. I haven't watched the film to be able to say one unit is more dangerous than the other, but that's not his point: The bottom line is that Mizzou needs to do a lot better in the trenches than it did against the Aggies. Nothing will work without that. My crystal ball prediction is heavily dependent on whether Brady Cook's a go, which I doubt will be clear until right before kickoff on Saturday. If he's viable, which is an if at this point in the week, Mizzou has a chance with a fairly perfect game. If he's not, I struggle to see a path to victory for the Tigers.

顿顿顿:听I don't think the QB for the 2025 Tigers is on the roster currently. Any players that stand out that could be QB1? Any portal guys come to mind? Or will Horn be ready to go? Lot of uncertainty.

贬辞蹿蹿:听I'm not going to say you're wrong there. I think we talk about this every few weeks in these chats, but there's actually been a shift in my thinking here after seeing Drew Pyne play in a real situation. It's a small and panicked sample size so I won't make it more than it is, but I do think his performance adds to my belief that Mizzou will bring in someone from the portal to compete for the job.听

Sam Horn isn't expected to be healthy for spring practices, and there's always the chance he chooses baseball because of his pro potential throwing the ball off a mound instead of in a pocket. It would make sense to me if spring practice involved Pyne and a transfer, with the possibility of Horn entering the competition come preseason camp, if that's the route he wants to go. That would be very similar to the competition going into 2023 (Cook, Horn, Jake Garcia), so there's a precedent. As far as who the transfer might be, I really have no idea at the moment. Once guys start entering the portal, I'll keep an eye out, but I'm not in that mode quite yet.

叠辞诲迟颈苍:听How do you think we do in wins and losses for the remaining games on our schedule in football?

贬辞蹿蹿:听Mizzou should win its final four games of the year: Oklahoma, at South Carolina, at Mississippi State, Arkansas. I would guess the Tigers will only be underdogs against South Carolina on the road.听

叠辞诲迟颈苍:听what is your prediction for our men鈥檚 basketball teams win/loss record for this year?

贬辞蹿蹿:听This is tougher. I'd like to say 'Let me watch a few games first," but I'm not sure that will offer all that much insight. I will say this: I voted Missouri to finish 10th in the SEC on my preseason conference awards ballot. That's probably around six or seven SEC wins.

尘辞别:听it appears that the first bball game, vs. Memphis on 11/4, is only available on espn+, any confirmation or comment about that??

贬辞蹿蹿:听Looks like that'll be the case. Mizzou lists it as a 7 p.m. tip-off, too, which is new. I haven't seen either the time nor the network announced. As someone who hates streaming in all of its forms, I don't like it. But I know my voice means nothing against the machine of modernity.

Joe:听Do you think drink could be perhaps overstating cooks unavailability on Saturday to keep bama guessing as their defense prepares this week? I find it hard to believe he came back on Saturday, looked good (especially his scrambling), and led us to a tough W that essentially saved our playoff hopes. I find it hard to believe he will not at least give it a try Saturday at Bama in the biggest game of the season.

贬辞蹿蹿:听Yes, absolutely. To be clear: I'm not saying anyone's exaggerating it nor reporting anything other than that Cook was listed as doubtful last night. But it wouldn't shock me. It would shock me, however, if Cook is ever listed as "better" than questionable or a game-time decision. Barring a miracle or setback, I, like many of you, suspect this will come down to how his ankle feels, moves and holds up after treatment on Saturday. Anything definitive before that point seems rather foolhardy. And if this makes Alabama prepare for Pyne, too, I don't think Mizzou will be feeling bad. Plus it gives Cook and the Tigers the "well he was doubtful coming in!" protection if he plays and it doesn't look right on Saturday.

尘辞别:听who is the quarterback behind Pyne if qb1 can't play this Saturday?

贬辞蹿蹿:听The unofficial depth chart given to media only goes two-deep at quarterback. My observations tell me Brett Brown would likely be the next man up. He was the second-best quarterback during spring practices, when Pyne hadn't yet joined the team.

罢飞颈蝉迟别谤18:听I am a Mizzou alum and my daughter is a senior at Alabama. I am going to the game. What is the appropriate attire. I said Mizzou shirt and Alabama hat. Thoughts? BTW - we will be at tent 162 in the quad if you want to stop by.

贬辞蹿蹿:听That's a tough one. You're asking the guy who is usually wearing a button-down and, for a big game like this, sport coat carefully picked to avoid having either team's colors so as to dress neutrally. You could always go with layers that allow you to swap into the apparel of whichever team wins. I'll be intrigued to see the scenes around the campus and stadium before the game, so hopefully you can have a fun tailgate.

罢颈驳驳驳别谤蹿补苍:听Eli: certainly the O-line has shown some weakness but it seems to me that when Walters is in, good things happen. Is there a reason he doesn鈥檛 start? Just his size alone should help!

-