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Mizzou volleyball rallies past Georgia to secure fifth straight victory
Missouri tops Georgia 3-1 to extend its winning streak to five straight (13-8 overall, 6-3 in SEC). After dropping the opening set 23-25, the Tigers dominate the next three sets 25-15, 25-23, and 25-18, recording 12 blocks and a .254 hitting efficiency. Kimani Johnson and Paige Felder lead with 13 kills each, while setter Nina Mandovic dishes out 27 assists. The decisive moments come in the third set’s late 5‑1 run and a match‑point block by Johnson on Muoneke. Missouri’s net play and back‑court defense secure the triumph.
Opening Odds: Separating the real from the fake
After a week’s break, the College Football Playoff picture sharpens, with early favorites like USC, Oklahoma and Oregon fading while real contenders such as Kentucky emerge. Missouri’s Tigers sit at a near‑10‑point road favorite but have yet to prove themselves away from Memorial Stadium, and the next six weeks will test them against three top‑15 foes and a rivalry in Fayetteville. Key SEC matchups for Week 9 include Auburn at No. 12 Ole Miss (-12.5), No. 20 Florida at No. 3 Georgia (-10.5), South Carolina at Oklahoma (-3.5), Mississippi State at No. 11 Texas (-20.5) and No. 23 Missouri at Arkansas (-9.5). Odds are subject to change.
Mizzou’s stock risers and fallers through seven weeks
After seven games and a bye week, Missouri’s Tigers see big shifts in player value. Quarterback transfer Austin Simmons, once a low‑profile prospect, now boasts a 73.3% adjusted completion rate, leads the team in deep passes and is in first‑round NFL draft talk, though his performance drops under pressure. Running back Jamal Roberts tops the FBS with 867 rushing yards and 20+‑yard runs, positioning him for a 1,400‑yard season. Defensive edge rusher Daeden Hopkins, a sophomore, delivers 7 sacks and ranks 11th in pressures among Power‑Four schools, filling the void left by departed seniors. The piece highlights these stock risers as key to Missouri’s 2026 outlook.
Selected Shots Sunday: Women’s Sports & Margo Mania!
Mizzou athletics kick off another season with standout moments: the women's volleyball team sweeps Senior Day, beating Alabama 25-13, 25-21, 25-11 to improve to 11-8 overall (4-3 SEC) and honor seniors Sierra Dudley, Kimani Johnson, Grace O’Reilly and Kaylen Rush. Soccer clinches a 3-2 home finale win over Texas A&M, thanks to goals from Taryn Chance, Rylie Morse and Brianna Buels, keeping the Tigers within a point of the SEC Tournament cutoff. Softball wraps up fall ball with games against Lindenwood, UA Rich Mountain, Three Rivers Community College and a Big 10 showdown versus Iowa, though results are pending. A video highlights the final point of the Mizzou‑Alabama match and a postseason press conference with Dawn Sullivan and senior standouts.
Mizzou baseball finishes fall slate strong in Show-Me Diamond Duel
Freshman Milo Burton’s two‑run homer and Eric Maisonet’s solo blast powered Missouri to a 6‑2 win over Southeast Missouri State in the Show‑Me Diamond Duel on Oct. 25, 2026. After trailing 2‑0, the Tigers rallied in the fourth with Juliomar Campos’ error‑driven runs, took a 3‑2 lead in the sixth thanks to a Steve Solorzano single and Seojun Oh’s double, and broke it open in the seventh with Maisonet’s and Burton’s home runs. Missouri’s relievers—Luke Fricker, Luke Sullivan, Zach Van Hook, Nolan Foster and Sam Schmidt—shut the door for the final five innings, each posting scoreless, strikeout‑filled outings. Key stats: Burton 2‑for‑4 (HR, 2 RBI), Maisonet 2‑for‑3 (HR, double, RBI).
GameDay: College Football Week 8
Week 8 of the college football season bursts onto Saturday, October 17, with six ranked games kicking off at 11 a.m. CT and two marquee matchups later: Ole Miss (7) visits Texas (19) at 6:30 p.m. (over/under 53.5) and Houston (14) takes on Utah (10) at 9:15 p.m. (over/under 56.5). Other notable contests include Pittsburgh‑Miami, Indiana‑Michigan, Texas Tech‑Cincinnati, LSU‑Auburn, and BYU‑UCF. The post also notes Mizzou basketball’s 71‑67 win over Kansas State and reminds readers that odds can change.
Five Takeaways from Mizzou’s 71-67 exhibition win at Kansas State
Mizzou tops Kansas State 71-67 in an exhibition, breaking a 22‑year winless streak at Bramlage Coliseum. Freshman point guard Jason Crowe Jr. leads with 21 points, five assists and three steals, while senior Mark Mitchell struggles in limited minutes. The Tigers display solid defense after a shaky start, with Toni Bryant contributing 6 points, two blocks and strong energy, and Bryson Tiller posting 9 rebounds and five blocks despite offensive woes. Coach Dennis Gates uses the game to give younger players closing‑out experience on the road, hinting at a more competitive Big 12 season ahead.
Live Thread and Game Preview: Exhibition against Kansas State
Missouri hosts an exhibition vs. Kansas State at Fred Bramlage Coliseum (7 p.m. CT, ESPN+). The Tigers, last beating the Wildcats in 2011, field a tentative lineup—Mark Mitchell and C.J. Gunn may sit amid litigation, while freshman Jason Crowe and senior Toni Bryant start. K‑State, now led by former Belmont coach Casey Alexander after Jerome Tang’s exit, lines up Brandon Rechsteiner and junior Jaden Schutt. Though the game won’t count toward official stats, it offers a glimpse at both programs’ new rosters and Alexander’s rebuilding effort in the Big 12.
PREGAMIN’ THE BYE WEEK
Rock M Nation’s “Pregamin’ the Bye Week” blends hydration tips, Halloween trivia and a wake‑up call for Mizzou football fans seven weeks into the 2026 season. After a blowout loss to Ole Miss, writers Josh Matejka, Sammy Stava and Colin Simmons note the Tigers’ morale dip but highlight still‑alive playoff hopes, especially with upcoming games against Arkansas, Texas and Georgia. They also share personal binge‑watch plans—Premier League, college football and NBA—and wild SEC predictions, including potential coaching firings at Mizzou, Texas and Oklahoma. The piece ends with a call for fans’ own SEC forecasts.
SBN Reats: Mizzou Football Has Met Expectations
The Missouri Tigers sit at 5-2 (2-2 SEC) and No. 22 in the AP Top 25 heading into their bye week, sparking debate on whether they've met preseason expectations. Despite a crushing 31‑3 loss at Ole Miss, coach Eli Drinkwitz’s squad has shown the ability to beat quality opponents, though road woes persist. Fan poll results and a rising win‑total over/under (now 7.5 on FanDuel) suggest optimism, while the next test arrives on Halloween at Arkansas. The article examines these trends and what the bye week could mean for Mizzou’s final push.
John Calipari is loaded up with NBA level talent again
John Calipari's Arkansas Razorbacks return to the SEC spotlight with NBA‑ready talent. After a Sweet 16 run last season, the Hogs lost most of their roster but retain star freshman Billy "Goat" Richmond III while Darius Acuff and Meleek Thomas have already turned pro (Acuff 7th overall, Thomas 34th). Calipari, now in his third year at Arkansas (50‑23 record), leans on fresh recruits to replace departing players. The team, projected 4th‑5th in the conference, aims to improve on its 18th‑rank KenPom efficiency and finally break through to a Final Four after five Sweet 16 appearances in six years.
From 40 miles a week to 100, Freiner’s journey at Mizzou
Veteran senior Tyler Freiner, a Wentzleaf native, has become a key leader for Missouri’s cross‑country team as they head toward the SEC Championships on Oct. 30. The fifth‑year runner logged a personal best 6K (18:24.4) at the Cyclone Preview and improved his 8K time to 23:29.4 at the Gans Creek Classic, climbing 48 spots from last season. Freiner’s mileage jumped from 40 to 100 miles per week, fueling steady progress—from a 41st‑place freshman finish to winning the Mizzou XC Opener and posting a 13:57.80 5K on the track. He now focuses on guiding younger teammates and peaking for postseason meets.
2026-27 Mizzou Men’s Basketball Preview: Combo Guards
Coach Dennis Gates overhauls Mizzou’s backcourt for 2026-27, targeting combo guards to boost depth and shooting. New arrivals include 5‑year senior Cord Stansberry, a low‑mistake defender averaging 14.1 points with a 35.9% field‑goal rate at Western Carolina and Pepperdine; sophomore transfer Jamier Jones, Providence’s 17th‑best guard who posted 11.9 points and a 60.1% two‑point conversion; senior BYU transfer Kennard Davis Jr., a physical versatile wing who logged 8.5 points and 1.1 steals in 32 starts; plus perimeter option Jordan Crawford. Their performance will shape the Tigers’ SEC backcourt dynamics and shooting potential.
Commute: Mizzou MBB in the NIL competition
Missouri basketball lands in the NIL "Third Tier" this offseason, spending an estimated $15.1‑$17.5 million – roughly $3 million more than the Power‑Five average of $13.5 million. Coach Dennis Gates downplays the budget gap, noting the Tigers can stay competitive despite lower spending than SEC powerhouses like Kentucky and Florida, which exceed $20 million. Key recruits Mark Mitchell, CJ Gunn, five‑star freshmen Jason Crowe Jr. and Toni Bryant drive the higher end of the range, while negotiations on Bryant and Crowe likely keep Missouri toward the lower end. The report, based on 100+ sources, highlights a market surge with star centers commanding $4‑5 million and ongoing eligibility lawsuits.
Mizzou soccer overcomes early deficit to keep tournament hopes alive
Mizzou rallied from a 0-2 hole to beat Texas A&M 3-2, keeping their SEC Tournament hopes alive with two games left. Ireland Churchill put the Aggies ahead twice in the first seven minutes, but senior defender Taryn Chance answered with a 25‑yard curler to make it 2-1. A chaotic finish saw Emily Derucki feed Rylie Morse for the equalizer, and Bu els headed a free‑kick from Morse for the winner, her first game‑winning goal. The win lifts the Tigers to 5‑9‑2 overall, 2‑6‑1 in the SEC, sitting 13th—just one point shy of the final tournament slot. Their next must‑win comes against LSU on Nov. 1.
Mizzou Men’s Golf places fifth at Abilene Christian Intercollegiate
Mizzou men’s golf wraps up its fall season with a fifth‑place finish (12‑over) at the Abilene Christian Intercollegiate held Oct. 19‑21 at Halbert National Golf Club in Granbury, Texas. Senior Veikka Viskari leads the Tigers at 1‑under (tied 11th), while freshman Antoni Hawkins posts an even‑par total and his best round (70) on the final day. Texas A&M dominates the event, winning both team and individual titles by 17 strokes. Coach Glen Millican highlights the challenges of the new 7,485‑yard Tom Fazio‑designed course, especially the tough par‑3 8. The Tigers head into a break before the National Invitational Tournament on Feb. 1.
Race for the CFP Week 8: Chaos Ensues
A historic weekend saw five of the AP Top 25’s seven leaders lose, reshaping the CFP race as Week 8 begins. Ole Miss dominates with a 31‑3 win over Missouri and eyes Texas, while Miami (FL) stays unbeaten at 6‑0 as the top seed. Ohio State beats Indiana but loses Julian Sayin to injury; BYU, also 6‑0, climbs to No. 2 after a 28‑24 win over Notre Dame. Notre Dame remains an automatic‑bid contender despite the loss, and Boise State (5‑1) secures the Group of Six spot. At‑large hopefuls include Georgia, Indiana, Tennessee, UCLA, Texas Tech and Kentucky. The projected top seeds are Miami, BYU, Ohio State and Ole Miss, with a Miami‑over‑Ohio State national champion prediction.
Nate Oats is going to have his hands full
Alabama coach Nate Oats heads into his eighth season with a tough SEC schedule and a roster in flux. Star guard Labaron Philon returned for a breakout year, helping the Tide finish 25‑10 (13‑5 SEC) and secure a protected NCAA seed, but the team lost three non‑conference games and saw combo guard Aden Holloway suspended after a marijuana arrest. With Philon departing for the pros, Oats must replace his production while integrating a healthier Latrell Wrightsell and coping with the loss of interior presence Aiden Sherrell. The Tide are projected to finish fifth in the SEC, ranked second in analytics, and will rely on Oats’ high‑pace, high‑efficiency style to stay competitive.
Why Jude James earned a larger role in Mizzou’s offense
Jude James stepped up against Mississippi, logging a career‑high 40 snaps and becoming the most productive Missouri tight end this season with five catches for 57 yards in a 31‑3 loss. He hauled a 22‑yard seam gain—the longest TE reception of the year—and added a 16‑yard in‑route. With Brett Norfleet sidelined, James ranked second among qualified receivers at 2.19 yards per route, eclipsing his seniors in vertical threat. Despite sharing run‑blocking duties, his speed and playmaking could earn him a larger role after the bye, especially heading into the Halloween clash with Arkansas.
Strength in Variety: How Mizzou’s frontcourt protects the paint by committee
Under Coach Dennis Gates, Missouri has overhauled its front‑court by adding transfer Jaylen Carey and focusing on Bryson Tiller’s upside, while keeping developmental big Trent Burns. The trio—each a backup last season with just over 16 minutes per game—offers Gates flexibility to protect the paint, a need highlighted by the Tigers’ late‑season collapse when guards penetrated the lane. Tiller, despite showing versatility and solid defensive metrics (0.713 PPP on ball‑screen defense, 74th percentile nationally), struggled with rebounding and physicality in key moments, as evidenced by a 118.3 defensive rating when he played. The article examines how this committee approach could stabilize Missouri’s interior defense this year.
Commute: Austin Simmons Planning to Return in 2027
Mizzou quarterback Austin Simmons is reportedly negotiating a return for the 2027 season, according to Ryan Roberts. Simmons has propelled the Tigers to a 5‑2 record and a No. 22 ranking, posting 1,773 yards, 14 TDs and a 63.2 % completion rate in seven games, sparking NFL draft buzz. The Tigers also saw four players earn midseason AP All‑American honors, with RB Jamal Roberts and LB Nicholas Rodriguez landing first‑team nods. While the offense shows inconsistency, Simmons' potential comeback could be a major boost for Missouri football.
Mark Byington and Tyler Tanner are changing Vanderbilt
Mark Byington’s third season at Vanderbilt has turned the Commodores into a top‑half SEC contender and back‑to‑back NCAA Tournament team. After a smooth non‑conference slate, Vandy rose to fifth in analytics before a loss to Texas, then finally faced a ranked opponent in Alabama on Jan. 7. Guard Tyler Tanner, ranked 10th in KenPom’s MVP list, has been the catalyst, repeatedly rescuing the team from early deficits. Despite size challenges and occasional blowout losses, Vanderbilt finished 27‑9 (11‑7 SEC) and is projected to finish sixth in both media and analytics polls for 2026‑27. Byington’s strategic roster building and calm sideline demeanor are credited for the rapid turnaround.
Columns and Courts: Mizzou Tennis takeaways
Missouri women’s tennis, under first‑year head coach Robin Goodman, uses fall tournaments to shape a largely new roster and build team chemistry ahead of the spring dual‑match season. After a coaching overhaul in May 2026, the Tigers posted 11 wins on opening day of the ITA Central Regional Championships (Oct. 15) and finished the event with 17 wins, including a 4‑0 start in doubles. Freshmen dominate the nine‑player line‑up, with sophomore Alex Ackman as the sole returner and transfer Millie Skelton adding experience. The staff emphasizes consistency, discipline and communication as the team prepares for the Jae Foundation Invite (Oct. 22‑24) and future ITA sectionals.
Bye Week Breakdown: Offense
After seven games, Missouri's offense has shifted from a run‑focused scheme to a more explosive, pass‑heavy attack, but its overall efficiency has slipped to a 40.7% success rate—the lowest of the Drinkwitz era. While the Tigers rank in the Top 20 for turnover margin and have improved 20‑yard play frequency by 13%, they fell from 2nd to 69th in 3rd‑down conversions (41.0% now vs. 61.6% last season) and see a drop of nearly one point per scoring opportunity. Running back Austin Simmons cut the sack rate in half, yet the run game remains a liability, leaving the passing game unable to fully compensate.
Mizzou is 5-2. Have they met expectations?
Mizzou sits at 5-2 entering its bye week, matching the author’s preseason projection but with a surprising mix of wins and losses. The Tigers beat Florida and dominated Texas A&M, showing a stronger defense than expected, yet fell short at Mississippi State and were blown out 31-3 by Ole Miss on the road. The author now revises the outlook, seeing Arkansas as a winnable road test and a tentative Texas matchup, while still questioning the team’s ability to consistently compete with SEC elites. The piece assesses whether the Tigers can exceed the original 7‑5 forecast and outlines the challenges ahead.
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