Missouri
How have opening four games impacted Missouri football’s College Football Playoff chances?
The Tigers are exactly where they were expected to be.
It has lacked some flash. It has probably sent some heart rates racing. But Missouri football is 4-0 as it works through its first idle week of the season after a double-overtime win over Vanderbilt, a ranked victory over Boston College and shutouts of Buffalo and Murray State.
But what has that done for the Tigers’ shot at a spot in the first edition of the expanded, 12-team College Football Playoff?
Here’s the rundown:
More: Mistakes mounted for Missouri football in 2OT escape. Here’s where that leaves the Tigers
Has Missouri football improved chances of CFP berth?
The Tigers, according to ESPN’s playoff predictor after the Week 4 slate, are the 10th most likely team to earn a spot in the 12-team playoff. The algorithm gives Missouri a 40% chance of making the field.
Once you factor in conference-champion autobids, that’s essentially aligned with where Missouri fell in this week’s US LBM Coaches Poll and AP Top 25, where the Tigers were the No. 11-ranked team in the country.
More: Missouri football tumbles out of top 10 in coaches poll after double-OT win over Vanderbilt
In a hypothetical scenario where all voters are fortune tellers (they are not), this exact scenario plays out (it will not) and the CFP selection committee is in agreement (it likely won’t be), Mizzou gets the last at-large spot in the field — assuming no Group of Five team jumps into the top 12 — with the No. 11 seed, sending it on the road.
Missouri hasn’t lost and hasn’t really done anything to hurt its playoff odds. But the prognosticators, for what that’s worth, are jumping ship.
None of ESPN’s 11 forecasters put Mizzou in their projected 12-team field after Week 4. That’s down from three CFP projections after the Boston College win, which was down from seven selections after MU beat Buffalo.
Here’s the deal, though: Missouri has kept winning, and that, by default, makes its odds better. Especially as teams in the CFP conversation — looking at you, Florida State and Kansas — have faded early.
ESPN gave Missouri a 37.2% chance to make the CFP during the preseason. That’s up slightly to 40%.
As long as Missouri keeps winning, those percentages will rise.
But what happens when losses come?
Will 10-2 cut it?
Here’s where things get tricky.
Missouri has won the games it was expected to win. Let’s say the Tigers follow that trend. They’ll likely be underdogs at Texas A&M and Alabama. The home Oklahoma matchup and road South Carolina game, as it stands, will tilt in MU’s favor.
There’s no question that 11-1 gets in. If Missouri wins seven more games this year, there’s a meaningful December game coming, and it’s likely coming to Columbia.
But the race isn’t completely in MU’s hands if it goes 10-2.
ESPN’s playoff predictor — and it should be noted this hinges on a multiplicity of currently undetermined factors — has MU’s shot at making the CFP at 77% if it goes 10-2 with losses to Texas A&M and Alabama. That rises to 79% if it beats Texas A&M but falls at South Carolina.
The Tigers’ best bet at making it, at that record, is if there is a six-berth SEC. For that to happen, it’ll need a little help from the ACC and Big 12.
The two leagues cannibalizing themselves would help. Both league champions get straight in, but no at-large spots are guaranteed. What happens if a dominant regular-season ACC or Big 12 team falls in their conference title game?
There’s a world that brings two schools — one auto bid, one at-large — from one or both of those leagues into the fold. For instance, does a 12-1 Miami get left out if it loses to Clemson for the conference title? Seems unlikely.
The good news for MU in regards to the Big 12 is that undefeated Utah must face the three other remaining undefeated teams (BYU; UCF; Iowa State) in the league in the regular season, meaning some losses among the current favorites are guaranteed. That league looks well on its way to having just a single CFP representative. But if Utah runs the table then falls to, say, Iowa State in the title game? That forces a decision.
In short: The more ACC and Big 12 regular-season chaos, the better for Missouri.
Playing out potential paths
We ran scenarios on ESPN’s playoff predictor to see where that puts the Tigers in the postseason. The algorithm does not let you pick results for the Auburn, UMass, Oklahoma, Mississippi State and Arkansas games, so keep it in mind that those are being automatically marked as wins in these scenarios:
- Missouri goes 11-1 with wins at Texas A&M and South Carolina, a loss at Alabama and no SEC title game berth: No. 6 Missouri hosts No. 11 Penn State in Columbia.
- Missouri goes 11-1 with wins at Texas A&M and South Carolina, a loss at Alabama and an SEC title game loss: No. 6 Missouri hosts No. 11 Notre Dame in Columbia.
- Missouri goes 10-2 with a win at South Carolina and losses at Texas A&M and Alabama: No. 11 Missouri at No. 6 Alabama.
- Missouri goes 10-2 with a win at Texas A&M and losses at Alabama and South Carolina: No. 10 Missouri at No. 7 Tennessee.
- Missouri goes 10-2 with a win at Alabama and losses at Texas A&M and South Carolina: No. 9 Missouri at No. 8 Tennessee.
The Missouri Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at May 8, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Mega Millions numbers from May 8 drawing
37-47-49-51-58, Mega Ball: 16
Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 3 numbers from May 8 drawing
Midday: 4-6-2
Midday Wild: 6
Evening: 1-3-0
Evening Wild: 6
Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 4 numbers from May 8 drawing
Midday: 1-1-1-9
Midday Wild: 3
Evening: 8-8-9-9
Evening Wild: 8
Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash Pop numbers from May 8 drawing
Early Bird: 13
Morning: 11
Matinee: 15
Prime Time: 07
Night Owl: 13
Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Show Me Cash numbers from May 8 drawing
02-18-20-23-36
Check Show Me Cash payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize
All Missouri Lottery retailers can redeem prizes up to $600. For prizes over $600, winners have the option to submit their claim by mail or in person at one of Missouri Lottery’s regional offices, by appointment only.
To claim by mail, complete a Missouri Lottery winner claim form, sign your winning ticket, and include a copy of your government-issued photo ID along with a completed IRS Form W-9. Ensure your name, address, telephone number and signature are on the back of your ticket. Claims should be mailed to:
Ticket Redemption
Missouri Lottery
P.O. Box 7777
Jefferson City, MO 65102-7777
For in-person claims, visit the Missouri Lottery Headquarters in Jefferson City or one of the regional offices in Kansas City, Springfield or St. Louis. Be sure to call ahead to verify hours and check if an appointment is required.
For additional instructions or to download the claim form, visit the Missouri Lottery prize claim page.
When are the Missouri Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 9:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 10 p.m. Tuesday and Friday.
- Pick 3: 12:45 p.m. (Midday) and 8:59 p.m. (Evening) daily.
- Pick 4: 12:45 p.m. (Midday) and 8:59 p.m. (Evening) daily.
- Cash4Life: 8 p.m. daily.
- Cash Pop: 8 a.m. (Early Bird), 11 a.m. (Late Morning), 3 p.m. (Matinee), 7 p.m. (Prime Time) and 11 p.m. (Night Owl) daily.
- Show Me Cash: 8:59 p.m. daily.
- Lotto: 8:59 p.m. Wednesday and Saturday.
- Powerball Double Play: 9:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Missouri editor. You can send feedback using this form.
A Jackson County judge on Friday denied Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway’s attempt to immediately stop Kansas City-based CBD American Shaman and several affiliated companies from selling kratom products.
The motion for a temporary restraining order, which was filed alongside the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, took particular aim at the more potent 7-OH products, which Hanaway argues are “hazardous opioids” banned by state and federal law.
Jackson County Circuit Judge Charles McKenzie’s ruling Friday stated there are “competing affidavits” from experts on both sides of the argument, following a hearing on the motion earlier this week.
“The court cannot find, based on the oral argument of the parties, the respective competing affidavits presented and the pleadings, whether the plaintiff is likely to succeed on the merits at this juncture in the proceedings in order for the court to grant relief in the form of a temporary restraining order,” McKenzie’s order states.
Hanaway’s argument was backed by sworn statements from an undercover narcotics officer with the highway patrol who said 7-OH is being used to cut fentanyl and a woman whose brother died from a kratom overdose. Her office also submitted a FDA report that points to 7-OH as “a potent opioid that poses an emerging public health threat” and state health data showing synthetic 7-OH was involved in at least 197 Missouri deaths.
American Shaman submitted statements of its own from five toxicology and addiction experts, who largely said there wasn’t enough evidence to show that 7-OH and kratom posed a public health risk. One who researched narcotics said she had never heard of 7-OH being used to cut fentanyl.
Company owner Vince Sanders’ statement detailed how he came up with the idea to create 7-OH products, which now has an “enormous” demand particularly among people who need pain management.
Sanders could not be reached for comment about the ruling Friday.
McKenzie denied a temporary restraining order “without prejudice,” meaning that he would like to see more evidence.
“It is because of this finding that the court determines it necessary to hold an additional hearing,” he wrote, “where it can consider the parties respective positions with the potential of testimonial evidence and other properly introduced evidence, all as more fully developed by the parties, in order to further analyze these issues.”
The judge will consider “other injunctive relief sought in the pleadings at a future hearing to consider the issues,” the order states.
Hanaway filed a similar lawsuit Thursday against Relax Relief Rejuvenate Trading LLC, and its owners Dustin Robinson and Ajaykumar Patel.
The group received a warning letter from the FDA for producing 7-OH products last year similar to one received by Shaman Botanicals.
“This is another step in our ongoing crackdown on kratom manufacturers who flout the law and try to justify endangering Missourians in the name of profit,” Hanaway said in a press release Thursday. “Our mission is to safeguard Missourians from unregulated and addictive substances, and we will continue to pursue every legal tool available to protect public health and safety.”
This story was originally published by the Missouri Independent.
The Missouri Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at May 7, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Pick 3 numbers from May 7 drawing
Midday: 7-3-5
Midday Wild: 7
Evening: 4-7-4
Evening Wild: 3
Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 4 numbers from May 7 drawing
Midday: 7-0-4-4
Midday Wild: 3
Evening: 4-3-4-7
Evening Wild: 4
Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash Pop numbers from May 7 drawing
Early Bird: 14
Morning: 13
Matinee: 01
Prime Time: 03
Night Owl: 11
Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Show Me Cash numbers from May 7 drawing
01-08-24-28-34
Check Show Me Cash payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize
All Missouri Lottery retailers can redeem prizes up to $600. For prizes over $600, winners have the option to submit their claim by mail or in person at one of Missouri Lottery’s regional offices, by appointment only.
To claim by mail, complete a Missouri Lottery winner claim form, sign your winning ticket, and include a copy of your government-issued photo ID along with a completed IRS Form W-9. Ensure your name, address, telephone number and signature are on the back of your ticket. Claims should be mailed to:
Ticket Redemption
Missouri Lottery
P.O. Box 7777
Jefferson City, MO 65102-7777
For in-person claims, visit the Missouri Lottery Headquarters in Jefferson City or one of the regional offices in Kansas City, Springfield or St. Louis. Be sure to call ahead to verify hours and check if an appointment is required.
For additional instructions or to download the claim form, visit the Missouri Lottery prize claim page.
When are the Missouri Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 9:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 10 p.m. Tuesday and Friday.
- Pick 3: 12:45 p.m. (Midday) and 8:59 p.m. (Evening) daily.
- Pick 4: 12:45 p.m. (Midday) and 8:59 p.m. (Evening) daily.
- Cash4Life: 8 p.m. daily.
- Cash Pop: 8 a.m. (Early Bird), 11 a.m. (Late Morning), 3 p.m. (Matinee), 7 p.m. (Prime Time) and 11 p.m. (Night Owl) daily.
- Show Me Cash: 8:59 p.m. daily.
- Lotto: 8:59 p.m. Wednesday and Saturday.
- Powerball Double Play: 9:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Missouri editor. You can send feedback using this form.
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