Missouri

Why I’m taking Ole Miss football, Missouri to playoff but not Alabama or Vols | Toppmeyer

Published

2 years ago

March 1, 2024

Why I’m taking Ole Miss football, Missouri to playoff but not Alabama or Vols | Toppmeyer

The College Football Playoff’s expansion to 12 teams has rewired my thinking on whether a team can qualify.

In the four-team playoff, qualification boiled down to avoiding losses – with the exception of 2023 Florida State’s snub. When I considered in the preseason whether a team was playoff material, I thought: Is this team good enough to finish with one loss or fewer? If I thought it could, then it was a playoff contender. If not, then it wasn’t.

With 12 playoff spots, an SEC or Big Ten team doesn’t need to go 13-0 to make the playoff. Not even 12-1 or 11-1. Now, I’m thinking: Is a team’s schedule easy enough for it to finish 10-2?

Scheduling will be more important than ever to a playoff quest. Say you’re in the Big Ten and your schedule lacks Ohio State, Michigan, Oregon and Penn State. You’ve got a leg up on playoff qualification. Rutgers fits into this category. So, Rutgers as a playoff contender? Um, no. I have my limits. But, you get the idea.

I recently predicted the SEC will claim five spots in the inaugural 12-team playoff.

The qualifiers? Georgia, Texas, Ole Miss, LSU and Missouri.

Alabama and Tennessee headline my close-but-just-missed list.

Why these five qualifiers? Do I think they’re the five best teams in the conference? Not exactly. I’d have Alabama in the top five of my SEC power rankings.

But, in Kalen DeBoer’s first season, Alabama will face one of the SEC’s most rugged schedules. Alabama’s schedule draw is tougher than that of Ole Miss, LSU and Missouri. If not for that, I’d place the Crimson Tide within my qualifying quintet.

Georgia and Texas are built to be the SEC’s best teams in 2024. Georgia must navigate a brutal schedule, with games against Texas, Alabama, Auburn, Tennessee and Ole Miss, plus Clemson in the nonconference. The Bulldogs can handle it. Kirby Smart once again assembled one of the nation’s most talented rosters. Having proven quarterback Carson Beck helps, too. Georgia’s scheduling minefield doesn’t suit undefeated ambitions, but the Bulldogs should emerge from that gantlet at 10-2 or better and claim a playoff spot.

Texas’ schedule is tough, too, highlighted by games against Georgia, Michigan and Oklahoma. Steve Sarkisian used transfers to address needs after last year’s 12-win season. The Longhorns are pretty loaded. They can reach the playoff for a second straight year.

Once I navigate past Georgia and Texas, I start leaning more heavily on schedule analysis to influence my SEC playoff picks.

ANALYSIS: NCAA cries for help after loss to Tennessee in court. Expect no mercy

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OPINION: Is Steve Sarkisian set to be Jimbo Fisher 2.0? I think not

Shake up Missouri’s schedule, and the Tigers would be fortunate to reach eight wins. But, Missouri will enjoy the SEC’s easiest schedule, including an enviable dose of Vanderbilt, Mississippi State, Arkansas and South Carolina. The Tigers haven’t had it this good since they called the Big 12 North home. They’ll avoid Georgia, Texas, Ole Miss, LSU and Tennessee. Jackpot. Missouri becomes a playoff contender.

Ole Miss has it almost as good, with a schedule that steers clear of Georgia, Alabama and Texas. With fortune like that, the “Portal King” must be living right. The Rebels should reach 6-0 before even breaking a sweat. Playoff contender.

LSU has it tougher than Missouri and Ole Miss, but it avoids top dogs Georgia and Texas.

Tennessee’s schedule puts it on a fast track to playoff-contender status. The Vols will face Georgia, Alabama and Oklahoma, but the draw looks favorable otherwise. But, I don’t trust that the Vols won’t stub their toe in another game. I still have images of the Vols losing to South Carolina in 2021 and getting trounced last year by Missouri looming on the mind.

What’s this, though, about a 12-team playoff that doesn’t include Alabama? Consider the possibility.

DeBoer’s first SEC tour includes Wisconsin (road), Georgia, LSU (road), Oklahoma (road), Missouri, Tennessee (road) and Auburn. Nick Saban scheduled his tee times at just the right moment.

Tide out of the playoff. Tigers, Tigers and Rebels in. The schedule tips the scales.

If only Alabama enjoyed the luxury of Rutgers’ schedule.

Blake Toppmeyer is the USA TODAY Network’s SEC Columnist. Email him at BToppmeyer@gannett.com and follow him on Twitter @btoppmeyer.

A digital subscription will allow you access to all of his coverage. Also, check out his podcast, SEC Football Unfiltered, or access exclusive columns via the SEC Unfiltered newsletter.

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Missouri

Missouri Lottery Powerball, Pick 3 winning numbers for May 9, 2026

Published

30 minutes ago

May 10, 2026

Press Room

The Missouri Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.

Here’s a look at May 9, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Powerball numbers from May 9 drawing

15-41-46-47-56, Powerball: 22, Power Play: 2

Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 3 numbers from May 9 drawing

Midday: 4-0-0

Midday Wild: 7

Evening: 0-1-4

Evening Wild: 2

Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 4 numbers from May 9 drawing

Midday: 4-8-3-6

Midday Wild: 0

Evening: 5-4-2-2

Evening Wild: 3

Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash Pop numbers from May 9 drawing

Early Bird: 06

Morning: 09

Matinee: 01

Prime Time: 15

Night Owl: 01

Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Show Me Cash numbers from May 9 drawing

06-08-18-21-35

Check Show Me Cash payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Powerball Double Play numbers from May 9 drawing

06-27-58-61-65, Powerball: 14

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

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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Missouri

Kansas City, Missouri, police investigate deadly shooting at 4th and Holmes

Published

13 hours ago

May 9, 2026

Press Room

Kansas City, Missouri, police investigate deadly shooting at 4th and Holmes

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Homicide detectives in Kansas City, Missouri, were called to the scene of a deadly shooting Saturday morning.

Just before 7 a.m. Saturday, police received a reported shooting call near E. 4th Street and Holmes Street.

When officers arrived, they located an adult male in the street who had been shot.

Paramedics transported the victim to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced deceased.

A police spokesperson said detectives believe the victim had an interaction with one or more suspects in a vehicle when one of the suspects opened fire, striking the victim.

The spokesperson said the incident happened in an area with several apartment residences – detectives are interviewing potential witnesses for additional information.

—

If you have any information about a crime, you may contact your local police department directly. But if you want or need to remain anonymous, you should contact the Greater Kansas City Crime Stoppers Tips Hotline by calling 816-474-TIPS (8477), submitting the tip online or through the free mobile app at P3Tips.com. Depending on your tip, Crime Stoppers could offer you a cash reward.

Annual homicide details and data for the Kansas City area are available through the KSHB 41 News Homicide Tracker, which was launched in 2015. Read the KSHB 41 News Mug Shot Policy.

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Missouri

Missouri Lottery Mega Millions, Pick 3 winning numbers for May 8, 2026

Published

1 day ago

May 9, 2026

Press Room

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

Ticket Redemption

Missouri Lottery

P.O. Box 7777

Jefferson City, MO 65102-7777

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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