Alabama has played in four straight nail-biting one-score games, struggling to pull away in each contest.
Last week, the 15th-ranked Crimson Tide lost to Tennessee, giving them little to no margin for error for the rest of the season. Meanwhile, No. 21 Missouri escaped with a four-point win over Auburn after trailing for most of the game to move to 6-1.
The two teams meet on Saturday (3:30 p.m. ET, ESPN) in a huge SEC matchup with plenty of College Football Playoff implications.
Alabama opened as a 13.5-point favorite and the spread has ballooned to the Crimson Tide laying 17 points. Meanwhile, the total got as high as 57 points before dropping to as low as 51.
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Missouri vs. Alabama odds
Team
Spread
Moneyline
Total
Missouri
+16.5 (-105)
+550
o51.5 (-105)
Alabama
-16.5 (-115)
-800
u51.5 (-115)
Odds via BetMGM
When Missouri has the ball
The Tigers will be shorthanded on offense as quarterback Brady Cook and running back Nate Noel are doubtful on the injury report.
Last week, Cook left the game with a high-ankle sprain against Auburn, but he returned to help lead Missouri to the comeback win. If he’s out, it would be Drew Pyne, who completed just 47.6% of his passes and posted a dreadful 3.7 yards per attempt last week.
With Noel sidelined, the Tigers will rely heavily on Marcus Carroll. The App State transfer is averaging 4.7 yards per carry to Noel’s 6.1, but he has forced 15 missed tackles, per Pro Football Focus.
Marcus Carroll will have a big role for Missouri against Alabama. Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
It will likely be tough sledding for him against a Crimson Tide run defense that ranks 16th in EPA per rush allowed.
Luther Burden III is one of the most talented wide receivers in the country, but he hasn’t made the same impact this year, and the downgrade at quarterback won’t help his case. He’s posted 90-plus receiving yards just once this season after doing so in eight of his 13 games last year.
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The Crimson Tide secondary has been vulnerable to giving up explosives, but the Tigers rank just 94th in yards per drop-back allowed this season.
When Alabama has the ball
After showing incredible signs of progress over the first month of the season, Jalen Milroe has played two of the worst games of his career over the last two weeks. In those contests, he’s thrown four turnover-worthy plays with no big-time throws, and he’s completed just 1-of-8 deep passes.
Alabama has struggled to protect Milroe, which could be a real problem against a Tigers defense that ranks 23rd in havoc. The Tide, meanwhile, ranks 105th in havoc allowed.
It’s fair to note that the opposing schedule of quarterbacks hasn’t been elite, but Missouri ranks top-15 in EPA per pass and passing success rate allowed.
Alabama will likely also struggle to consistently run the ball against a defense that ranks in the top 25 in yards per rush allowed and tackling.
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The Tide surprisingly ranks just 87th in rushing success rate on offense despite having a talented backfield headlined by Jam Miller and Justice Haynes, alongside Milroe’s rushing threat.
Missouri vs. Alabama pick
The Alabama defense has been heavily criticized. However, this looks like a get-right spot for Kane Wommack’s group against an offense missing its top quarterback and running back.
The Tigers have been underwhelming on offense, and it’s difficult to envision Pyne having much success on the road against a defense still loaded with talent.
Meanwhile, I don’t expect a barrage of scoring from Alabama against a defense that has maintained strong marks across the board under first-year DC Corey Batoon.
Betting on College Football?
Milroe will likely hit a couple of explosive plays through the air to Ryan Williams. Still, the down-to-down consistency won’t be there behind an offensive line that looks overmatched against a havoc-minded Tigers front.
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The total has already dropped in response to Missouri’s injuries, but other aspects of this game still lead me to the under, and I’d play anything over the key number of 51.
Best bet: Under 51.5 points (-115, ESPN BET)
Why Trust New York Post Betting
Jacob Wayne handicaps college football and the NFL for the New York Post. He’s up 84.5 units across the two sports with a 6.27% ROI.
Damon Wilson II is reportedly set to transfer again after a nine-sack season at Missouri. Ed Zurga / Getty Images
Damon Wilson II, the player at the center of a lawsuit showdown with Georgia over his transfer to Missouri last year, is planning to re-enter the portal, a source briefed on the decision said.
Wilson figures to be a premium target for teams that need an edge rusher: He led Missouri with nine sacks this season, which was tied for third in the SEC. The news of his plans was reported by On3 on Tuesday afternoon. But his decision to enter is more intriguing given his ongoing legal dispute with Georgia over his exit from that program last year.
Wilson spent his first two seasons in Athens. He transferred to Missouri last January. In October, Georgia sued him, seeking $390,000 in damages from Wilson for leaving the team after the program said he signed an agreement to return for the 2025 season. Georgia filed to compel Wilson to arbitration.
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Wilson answered on Dec. 23 by filing a lawsuit against Georgia in Boone County, Mo. Wilson’s attorneys alleged a civil conspiracy by Georgia’s athletic department and collective to “penalize Wilson for his decision to transfer.” The lawsuit also alleged the agreement Wilson signed with Georgia in December 2024 was not a contract.
This was believed to be the first time a player and a school took each other to court over a transfer decision and figures to be closely watched. Wilson leaving Missouri would not end the court proceedings.
Wilson’s legal representatives did not offer immediate comment on Tuesday afternoon.
The Missouri Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Jan. 5, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Powerball numbers from Jan. 5 drawing
04-18-24-51-56, Powerball: 14, Power Play: 2
Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 3 numbers from Jan. 5 drawing
Midday: 2-4-6
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Midday Wild: 4
Evening: 2-4-5
Evening Wild: 1
Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 4 numbers from Jan. 5 drawing
Midday: 6-0-7-3
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Midday Wild: 1
Evening: 8-9-9-5
Evening Wild: 4
Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash4Life numbers from Jan. 5 drawing
01-15-50-55-57, Cash Ball: 02
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Check Cash4Life payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash Pop numbers from Jan. 5 drawing
Early Bird: 06
Morning: 02
Matinee: 11
Prime Time: 15
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Night Owl: 03
Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Show Me Cash numbers from Jan. 5 drawing
01-02-22-27-33
Check Show Me Cash payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Powerball Double Play numbers from Jan. 5 drawing
15-22-39-41-62, Powerball: 09
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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.
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.
Cryptocurrency is a form of digital currency that uses cryptography for security and operates independently of central banks.
The Ankeny Police Department is asking anyone from Ankeny and across the Des Moines metro to come forward if they think they may be a victim of a Missouri man who is accused of running a cryptocurrency investment scam.
Charles Spencer Burri of Columbia, Missouri, was arrested and charged with financial exploitation of an elder and stealing $750 or more. The Columbia Police Department alleged Burri — owner and operator of Burri Asset Management LLC — has solicited thousands of dollars for cryptocurrency investments but stopped responding to victims after he received their money.
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Columbia police reported to Ankeny they had uncovered evidence Burri possibly met with people in Ankeny and the Des Moines metro in July 2025, according to a news release Friday, Jan. 2.
Ankeny police believe there may be additional victims in the area who have not been identified, according to the release. Sgt. Trevor McGraw in Ankeny said Monday that no victims had come forward over the weekend.
Anyone who Burri or Burri Asset Management LLC may have contacted, or who has experienced financial loss through a cryptocurrency investment fraud scheme, is encouraged to contact the Ankeny Police Department through its non-emergency line at 515-286-3333, extension 5, and file a report.
Phillip Sitter covers the suburbs for the Des Moines Register. Phillip can be reached via email at PSitter@usatodayco.com.Find out more about him onlinein the Register’s staff directory.
