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Are things getting 'spicy' between OU-Missouri? Not for the Sooners

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Are things getting 'spicy' between OU-Missouri? Not for the Sooners


NORMAN — This weekend might mark the first matchup between Oklahoma and Missouri in over 10 years, but that doesn’t mean there’s not familiarity between the two teams.

In fact, despite the break in competition, the connection between the two programs has only increased.

The Sooners and the Tigers were well-acquainted foes while both teams were in the Big 12, though the regularly-scheduled matchup was halted after Missouri joined the SEC in 2012. But whether it’s because Oklahoma has made its own jump to the SEC this season, or the well-known recruiting battles between the two teams over the last two years, there’s been a brewing rivalry ahead of Saturday’s matchup in Columbia (6:45 p.m. SEC Network).

But for OU coach Brent Venables, there hasn’t been any focus on outside noise heading into the weekend.

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“They’re a program that’s going to recruit well in their own backyard,” Venables said. “It’s not spicy for me. Recruiting is incredibly competitive. Winning is incredibly hard. And we’re programs that certainly there’s a familiarity. But I don’t think (Missouri coach Eli Drinkwitz) was on the staff, part of any of the past Oklahoma-Missouri meetings.

“And what happens in the past doesn’t necessarily have anything to do with what happens in the future, good or bad. And that doesn’t mean it has to change either. But I believe in what’s in front of you right now. (So it’s maybe) spicy maybe for the media or the fans. But staff-wise, it hasn’t.”

Missouri is certainly a familiar opponent for Venables, who faced the Tigers nine times while he was an assistant coach at Oklahoma from 1999-2011. A handful of those games were high-level matchups — the two teams played each other in back-to-back years for the 2007 and 2008 Big 12 Championships, with the Sooners winning both matchups.

It’s largely been a dormant, distant memory since Missouri left for the SEC, but the two teams have been intertwined in recent years. The Tigers notably bested OU in the recruiting battle for 2024 five-star defensive lineman Williams Nwaneri and then poached former five-star offensive lineman Cayden Green via the transfer portal last offseason.

While those two battles are at the center of the recent animosity, the two teams share other connections. Former OU receiver Theo Wease transferred to Missouri prior to last season and has become an impact player, and this season he leads the Tigers in receiving with 37 receptions for 482 yards. OU receiver JJ Hester also transferred from Missouri in 2022 and has been a pivotal part of the Sooners’ receiver rotation this season.

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Venables, unprompted, discussed Wease and Green’s tenures at Oklahoma, acknowledging that the transfer portal has increased the chances that programs will battle each other for roster construction.

“In regards to Theo, our offensive staff at the time didn’t feel like he was — Theo probably felt the same — a major part of what we were doing, and he’s looking for an opportunity,” Venables said. “And he was nothing but great. He was a really good leader, did everything that we asked of him. And what a great example of what opportunity and development looks like. And he’s kept his head down and just worked. Had a fantastic year last year. He’s having a great year this year.

“I think Cayden went in there and was a starter. He (was) a starter for us. We’re not surprised that he has success. Cayden’s fantastic. He was a freshman All-American. And that’s the world that we live in now. Players are free to come and go as they please and look for what’s best for them. And there ain’t no time for bitterness and things like that. You’ve got to move on and adjust and pivot and get better.”

Hester, who recorded the team’s first 100-yard receiving game last weekend against Maine, expects it to be an interesting atmosphere this weekend in Columbia.

“It will definitely be a fun one,” Hester said last week. “I still have some guys over there. It will be a reunion, probably some nostalgia, for sure, being a transfer from there. I’m looking forward to it.

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“(I Know) a lot of the guys on offense and defense. (Quarterback) Brady Cook. I know Luther (Burden). Guys on the defense. Obviously, we have an o-lineman over there. Couple of other dudes from OU, so obviously, it’s a little weird right now. I know a lot of guys over there still. It’ll be good to see them compete against them.”

But ultimately, the Sooners have to focus on snagging a much-needed win. They sit at 5-4 on the season and are just one win away from becoming bowl eligible, while the Tigers (6-2, 2-2 SEC) have lost two of their last three conference games and may be without Cook this weekend.

So while the programs are certainly linked together, Venables is focusing on what’s ahead.

“(I have) a lot of good, fond memories (of playing Missouri),” Venables said. “It’ll be) two good programs going at it and it’ll be another great challenge for us this week.”

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Missouri Lottery Pick 3, Pick 4 winning numbers for Jan. 8, 2026

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The Missouri Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Jan. 8, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Pick 3 numbers from Jan. 8 drawing

Midday: 3-5-3

Midday Wild: 9

Evening: 6-3-9

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Evening Wild: 3

Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 4 numbers from Jan. 8 drawing

Midday: 7-1-3-4

Midday Wild: 4

Evening: 9-6-9-8

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Evening Wild: 9

Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash4Life numbers from Jan. 8 drawing

27-28-39-47-58, Cash Ball: 04

Check Cash4Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash Pop numbers from Jan. 8 drawing

Early Bird: 14

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Morning: 07

Matinee: 06

Prime Time: 07

Night Owl: 11

Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.

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Winning Show Me Cash numbers from Jan. 8 drawing

02-26-28-29-34

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:

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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.

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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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Missouri Democrats vow to fight increased taxes on sales or services

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Missouri Democrats vow to fight increased taxes on sales or services


Missouri lawmakers returned to work Wednesday, Jan. 7, to kick off the 2026 legislative session, with Republicans determined to eliminate the state income tax and Democrats vowing to oppose any effort to replace it with increased taxes on sales or services.

Missing from the first day were the partisan fireworks that defined the end of last year’s session and a special session in September. Instead, both the House and Senate functioned normally on Wednesday, quickly running through motions of a first-day and adjourning with little fanfare.

But the partisan schism simmered under the surface.

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Republican Gov. Mike Kehoe is pushing for elimination of the state’s income tax and is expecting to lay out his plan next week when he speaks to a joint session of the legislature for his annual State of the State address.

Democrats — still smarting from last year’s GOP moves to cut off debate to pass bills repealing expanded paid sick leave, gerrymander the state congressional map, change the initiative petition process and reimpose an abortion ban — said they are withholding judgment until they see the details of Kehoe’s plan.

But they note the income tax represents 65% of last year’s $13.4 billion in state revenue.

Democrats will not support raising taxes that disproportionately impact lower-income Missourians to pay to eliminate the income tax, said Senate Minority Leader Doug Beck, an Affton Democrat.

“People are already having a really hard time making ends meet in this state,” Beck said. “People are living paycheck to paycheck. So if anyone wants to raise taxes on those folks, that is unacceptable to us. As Democrats, we say there should be no new taxes.”

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House Minority Leader Ashley Aune, a Kansas City Democrat, said that while the possible elimination of the income tax is “being sold as … getting rid of your taxes,” most Missourians will see little benefit.

“What they’re not telling you is how much more you’ll have to spend every time you swipe your card,” Aune said, adding: “The next time you have an expensive car repair or costly emergency visit from a plumber to fix a broken pipe, you’ll also be paying double digit sales taxes on that bill. Struggling to pay your rent? The struggle will get even harder when Republicans add a sales tax onto that.”

Democrats will lay out their own income tax proposal next week, Aune said, that will offer “targeted tax relief for those who need it most.”

State Rep. Mark Boyko, the Kirkwood Democrat who will sponsor the measure, said that while Missourians earning over $250,000 could end up paying more under the Democrats’ tax plan, it would generate much-needed revenue.

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The proposal, Boyko said, “will actually lower your costs.”

Senate President Cindy O’Laughlin, a Shelbina Republican, urged her colleagues in an opening day speech to work together to “find solutions that move Missouri forward.”

While tax cuts weren’t directly mentioned in her speech, O’Laughlin left little doubt where she stood.

“Taxes, regulations, red tape and bureaucracy do not make Missouri better,” she said. “In every case, they take from Missouri families, they also take from Missouri small businesses. And our job is to reduce that impact. We must make sure what we take is as limited as possible.”

Missouri families want results, O’Laughlin said.

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“They want better roads, better schools,” she said. “They want more private home ownership. They want safe streets and neighborhoods. They want better jobs and stronger job skills. They want thriving communities, and they want less dependence on the government at all levels.”

Hovering over the income tax debate is a state budget picture looking gloomier than it has in years.

General revenue is projected to be $400 million below estimates made a year ago. Part of the reason is that a capital gains tax cut passed last year that was estimated to reduce revenue by $111 million annually is now believed to cost as much as $500 million the first year and $360 million a year moving forward.

Beck said that while Democrats decided against using procedural maneuvers to gum up the Senate on the first day, the chamber will move much more slowly this year — not only in response to last year’s GOP moves quash Democratic filibusters, but also to avoid mistakes like the cost of the capital gains tax cut.

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“When you shut off debate or refuse to engage with the other side to just rush things through, mistakes happen,” he said. “We were screaming from the hilltop that the capital gains cuts were going to cost way more. But we went too fast, and senators weren’t allowed to do their jobs.”

This story was first published at missouriindependent.com.



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Missouri Lottery Powerball, Pick 3 winning numbers for Jan. 7, 2026

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The Missouri Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Jan. 7, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Powerball numbers from Jan. 7 drawing

15-28-57-58-63, Powerball: 23, Power Play: 2

Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 3 numbers from Jan. 7 drawing

Midday: 7-2-8

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Midday Wild: 2

Evening: 7-4-8

Evening Wild: 8

Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 4 numbers from Jan. 7 drawing

Midday: 6-0-8-6

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Midday Wild: 7

Evening: 7-8-2-6

Evening Wild: 6

Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash4Life numbers from Jan. 7 drawing

01-07-30-41-56, Cash Ball: 01

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Check Cash4Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash Pop numbers from Jan. 7 drawing

Early Bird: 04

Morning: 08

Matinee: 13

Prime Time: 08

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Night Owl: 10

Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Show Me Cash numbers from Jan. 7 drawing

03-05-09-10-36

Check Show Me Cash payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Powerball Double Play numbers from Jan. 7 drawing

28-41-50-61-68, Powerball: 05

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Check Powerball Double Play 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

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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.

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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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