Missouri
College football preseason rankings: Can No. 9 Missouri take advantage of a favorable schedule?
Welcome to the first year of the 12-team College Football Playoff.
In anticipation of the first four-round postseason in college football history, we’re counting down our predicted playoff field as the season approaches. The top five conference champions in the CFP selection committee’s rankings will make the playoff and the rest of the field will be filled out by seven at-large teams. Who will lift the national championship trophy on Jan. 20 in Atlanta?
Previous previews: Nos. 25-13, No. 12 Boise State, No. 11 Utah, No. 10 Florida State
2023 record: 11-2, 6-2 SEC
Last season in 100 words
The Tigers were one of the surprise teams of a season ago. A 61-yard field goal got the Tigers a win over Kansas State in September and Mizzou only lost to LSU and Georgia. For the second straight season, Missouri was Georgia’s toughest SEC East win.
After losing to Georgia, Missouri blew out Tennessee and then snuck past Florida thanks to a big fourth-down conversion. The Tigers then beat Ohio State 14-3 in the Cotton Bowl for the program’s first 11-win season since 2014 and the school’s first winning season since 2018.
Why Missouri can make the playoff
The Tigers return nine starters on an offense that was one of the most efficient in college football a season ago. Mizzou averaged 6.5 yards per play as QB Brady Cook had a breakout season. Cook threw for over 3,300 yards and had 21 TDs to just five interceptions.
WR Luther Burden III may be the best wide receiver in the country and will move all over the field for the Tigers again in 2024. Burden had 86 catches for 1,212 yards and nine touchdowns as a sophomore.
The rushing attack needs to replace All-SEC RB Cody Schrader after the former Division II player rushed for 1,627 yards and 14 TDs. That’s not an easy task and it’ll likely be done by committee. Missouri added former Appalachian State RB Nate Noel and former Georgia State RB Marcus Carroll through the transfer portal. Each player has a 1,000-yard season to his name and Carroll had 1,350 yards a season ago.
Cook’s role in the run game should also still be significant. He rushed for just 319 yards — sacks count against a college QB’s rushing total — but had eight rushing TDs. Missouri wasn’t afraid to call a designed QB run in key times in 2023.
The bigger question for the Tigers is on defense after the departure of coordinator Blake Baker to LSU. Former South Alabama DC Corey Batoon takes over a unit that gave up less than 21 points per game and had 39 sacks in 2023.
Finding replacements for draft picks Darius Robinson (8.5 sacks) and CBs Ennis Rakestraw and Kris Abrams-Draine are paramount for the defense to match its performance of a season ago. Players like former Florida DL Chris McClellan, ex-Miami LB Corey Flagg and former Clemson CB Toriano Pride will be counted on to be immediate contributors.
Key player
Burden will get the most attention from opposing defenses, but Wease’s ability as an outside receiver is nearly as important to Missouri’s offense and also allows Burden to be so effective out of the slot.
After spending four seasons at Oklahoma, Wease had the best season of his career in 2023 with 49 catches for 682 yards and six touchdowns. After a brief flirtation with the NFL Draft, he decided to come back for a sixth season in 2024.
Without Schrader to grind out yards, Missouri may lean more on its passing game. And Wease will need to be a more consistent contributor. He had two or fewer catches in six of the Tigers’ 13 games last season.
Biggest game
Missouri’s schedule is a big reason why the Tigers are playoff contenders. Mizzou may have the easiest schedule of any team in the SEC and needs to capitalize.
The Tigers visit Alabama on Oct. 26 after hosting Auburn at home. But we’re going with a trip to Texas A&M earlier in the month as the biggest game because it could define Missouri’s season. With the first four games of the season at home against Murray State, Buffalo, Boston College and Vanderbilt, Missouri should be 4-0 heading to College Station.
A win there would give the Tigers a phenomenal chance of being 7-0 before the trip to Tuscaloosa and allow Missouri to lose to both the Crimson Tide and one of Oklahoma, South Carolina, Mississippi State and Arkansas while still harboring serious playoff hopes with a second straight 10-2 season.
(The rest of the rankings will be revealed in the days leading up to the season.)
Missouri
Missouri Lottery Mega Millions, Pick 3 winning numbers for April 28, 2026
The Missouri Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at April 28, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Mega Millions numbers from April 28 drawing
14-36-41-47-66, Mega Ball: 15
Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 3 numbers from April 28 drawing
Midday: 4-4-6
Midday Wild: 3
Evening: 7-9-1
Evening Wild: 2
Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 4 numbers from April 28 drawing
Midday: 3-6-2-6
Midday Wild: 9
Evening: 4-3-5-9
Evening Wild: 0
Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash Pop numbers from April 28 drawing
Early Bird: 02
Morning: 09
Matinee: 07
Prime Time: 04
Night Owl: 04
Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Show Me Cash numbers from April 28 drawing
03-09-12-17-23
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.
Missouri
PHOTOS: Semi truck and train collide south of Loch Lloyd
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Emergency crews responded to a crash after a semi truck collided with a train Tuesday morning, south of Loch Lloyd in Belton.
According to the Belton Fire Department, units were called to the area of 187th Street and Holmes Road for a collision between a train and an 18-wheeler.
The intersection is currently blocked as crews work the scene.
No injuries were reported.
Missouri
Longtime St. Louis journalist killed in freak accident after tires fall from tractor-trailer, strike his car
A veteran St. Louis journalist was killed in a freak accident Thursday when two tires came flying off a tractor-trailer and crashed through the roof of his vehicle.
Local media mainstay Ray Hartmann, 73, was driving eastbound on I-64 near I-270 in St. Louis when two tires went airborne after zooming off a tractor-trailer ahead of him and struck the roof of his car around 2 p.m., KMOV reported, citing the Missouri State Highway Patrol.
Hartmann died at the scene of the freak accident, according to a statement issued by his long-term friend and attorney, Andy Leonard, 5 On Your Side reported.
“The news covered the accident last night, and I can confirm that Ray was in his car when a tire crashed through his windshield. We believe that he died at the scene,” Leonard said in the statement.
He is survived by his wife, Kerri Hartmann, and their two children, Ben and Brielle, who were each away at college at the time of the accident.
“It’s such a tragic loss. He was dearly loved. We’re going to miss him so much,” Kerri Hartmann told 5 On Your Side in a statement.
Hartmann was a much-loved mainstay within St. Louis media for almost 40 years, making his mark in print journalism first before moving in front of the camera.
He is known for founding the Riverfront Times and St. Louis Magazine and for spending nearly four decades on Nine PBS’ debate program, “Donnybrook,” which he co-founded in 1987.
He took a step back from the media in 2024 to run for Congress in Missouri’s 2nd District. He won the Democratic primary but lost to incumbent Ann Wagner, according to 5 On Your Side.

“His departure was too soon,” said Charlie Brennan, Hartmann’s long-term friend and host of “Donnybrook.”
“I think he had books to write, columns to write, causes to champion, and I’m very sorry that he’s not going to be around to get to those,” he said.
Fellow panellist Alvin Reid said that the late journalist was determined to make a difference in the Gateway City, no matter what show he was on.
“Ray was determined to make a difference in St. Louis. He wanted to make a difference on every show,” Reid said.
“As long as we do this show, Ray will be a part of this show and a part of St. Louis,” he said.
Even with his illustrious and accomplished career, Hartmann’s colleagues remembered him first and foremost as a proud husband and father.
“I’m already missing him,” Reid said. “I really do feel like I’m talking about Ray in the present. I can’t believe I’m talking about Ray in the past. That hasn’t really hit me yet.”
The investigation into Thursday’s fatal crash remains ongoing.
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