With the holiday Season kicking into full gear, it’s time to be THANKFUL FOR all the good that’s going on in the Sports World.
…We start by standing in front of the MIRROR and looking at that lucky guy who’s celebrating Thanksgiving Week-usually with his family! When we look around the world, we have to realize that the vast majority of us have a really, really great life. HAPPY THANKSGIVING to All!
…Then as we sense our THANKFULNESS on the Gridiron, we have to think of Mizzou. Sure, there was the tough loss to Oklahoma last weekend. The 17-6 loss knocked MU completely out of any consideration for the NCAA football Championship Tournament. This game didn’t have many “big plays”. It was a defensive tussle. The momentum seemed to turn to OU early in the 2nd quarter. Mizzou (up 3-0 at the time)drove all the way into the OU Red Zone. On a 4th & 3 down, Coach Drinkwitz called a time out to discuss strategy. It was immediately followed by an OU timeout. If that extra time to think mattered, we’ll never know! But after that 2nd time out, Coach Drink decided to abandon his offense and kick a FG. It was blocked! That block may have been the turning point of the game! Responding immediately, OU scored a TD just 3 plays later! That short 2 minutes of action turned around the game! MU never again had the lead!!
…Without a doubt Oklahoma was very THANKFUL for its defense that dominated throughout the game. Early in the game, Mizzou found space in their running game by using Ahmad Hardy repeatedly. OU seemed to adjust and concentrated on Hardy big-time to shut him down. That forced Mizzou to pass more often, maybe more than they wanted to do. But OU throttled QB Beau Pribula also. Pribula was coming off an injury (ankle dislocation) suffered just a few weeks ago and his timing & accuracy seemed to be just a “tad” off. He probably had limited practices due as the MU medical staff attempted to “get him ready” for this huge game. Once the game began, it seemed to me that his maneuverability and quickness seemed just a bit slower—again, no doubt, to the ankle injury. As the game progressed, he seemed to become less & less effective to my eyes. I don’t blame him or anyone else for using him but…he wasn’t the same player as usual. Maybe it was his injury or maybe it was the OU defense or most likely.. maybe both!!
…Sooo….While still BEING THANKFUL, we started hearing fans say ..”Well…Mizzou will still go to a bowl game!” BIG DEAL! There are the 11 bowl games associated with the NCAA Championship Tournament but there are an additional 35 bowl games outside of that tournament!! Sooo…don’t expect all fans just to be happy to be one of 70 teams in a bowl game outside of the Championship Tournament! Big deal…!!
… Despite the loss, Coach Drinkwitz has to be THANKFUL. With the loss, Mizzou is 3-4 in SEC competition was tied for 9th place with LSU with that same 3-4 SEC record. Mizzou fans seem content with that mark. Meanwhile, the fans/leadership @ LSU aren’t as patient as Missouri fans/leadership. LSU fired Brian Kelly (HC) on October 26, 2025, even though his buyout was a slick $53 million dollars, the day after the loss to Texas A&M. A win this Saturday over last place, Arkansas, next week doesn’t mean much to me (or any other fan for that matter). I’m NOT calling for a firing but I do expect more from the current $9.1m/year MU coach.
…I assume due to the “friendly” salaries paid to the “big time” Coaches, expectations rise. That often leads to a coach getting fired. Some of the best current openings are: LSU, Penn State, Florida, Auburn. Other notable (and not shabby) openings are: Oklahoma State, Arkansas, Stanford, UCLA & U of Cal.
…On the other hand, some teams (and fans) are VERY THANKFUL for their 2025 results. For example, Texas Tech holds a 10-1 record and are ranked #6 in the nation (their highest ranking of 2025) as I write this. Head Coach Joey McGuire holds a remarkable 33-7 record in his 4th year @Tech. He’ll be taking them to their 4th consecutive bowl under his era. His highly potent offense carries a remarkable 42.6 ppg mark in their 10-1 season. In my crystal ball, I see some SEC or Big 10 team firing their coach & knocking on Coach McGuire’s door in the near future! Maybe even the next 3-4 weeks!!
…the St. Louis Blues are THANKFUL for the NHL PLAYOFF SYSTEM. With only 22 regular season games in the books as I write this(just about ¼ of the 82 game season), the Blues have generally been disappointing. But, they still have a long time to “set things straight”. They are in 7th place with 22 points. As we saw last year, in hockey, just make the playoffs and the season starts over! Last year the Blues regular season record was 43-33-6 as they finished in 5th place. Then the season started all over with the playoffs. Last year, the Blues went a long, long way in the 2025 playoffs. Let’s hope that the Blues can improve in the regular season by tightening up that defense, getting more consistent goaltending nightly, and finding the “right mix” on the power play unit. I think we have a very good, experienced coach so all that is possible.
…while Blues are very THANKFUL for their strong fan-base which remain as very loyal supporters. Even the loyal fan base has some concerns. Can their defensive players continue playing the minutes that they are now? Through 20 games, the Blues have played their top 4 defensemen a great deal. Justin Faulk has the most ice-time/game @ 23:25/game, Colton Parayko is 2nd @ 23:19m/game, Philip Broberg is averaging 22:56m/game and Cam Fowler sees 22:47m/game. Can they 6 months of hockey
….one team that the StL community can be very THANKFUL for is the outstanding play of the St Louis U Billikens Mens Soccer team. The Billikens(12-2-7) edged long-time soccer powerhouse, Indiana(12-6-1,#6 seed), 1-0 on Sunday in the 2nd round of the NCAA Mens Soccer Tournament. Indiana, the No. 6 overall seed, came into the contest with the 2nd-ranked offense in the nation. The Billiken back line may have “bent” but it did not break as they shutout the Hoosiers. IU came out fast and had several early chances against the Billikens. However, GK Jeremi Abonnel, was able to keep the ball out of the net. Overall, Indiana led in some stats with a 16-3 edge in shots and an 8-0 advantage in corner kicks. But…the only REAL stat that matters belonged to the Billikens ..SLU had 1 goal, Indy zero!!!
…. Their next round (round of 16) will be next Sunday, Nov 30 @ 3:00pm against No. 11 overall seed Bryant (17-2-2) in Smithfield, R.I. Tanner Anderson scored in the 17th minute for SLU. St Louis U had their backs against the wall for much of the contest. Indiana(#6 overall seed) dominated the stats (except for the goals 😊)much of this match. Indiana had a 16-3 edge in shots and an 8-0 advantage in corner kicks. Nonetheless, 8th year SLU Head Coach, Kevin Kalish takes his club for the 2nd time to the Round of 16.
… St Louis U, who dominated for many of the early years of NCAA Mens Soccer as they won 10 NCAA men’s titles along with has 6 national semifinal appearances. St Louis U will face Bryant (17-2-2& #11 seed) in Smithfield, R.I. on Sunday, Nov. 30, at 3 p.m CT. The Billikens Mens Soccer team has! Meanwhile, the Bulldogs captured their first EVER NCAA Tournament win in school history on Sunday with a 1-0 victory over Seton Hall.
…But…there’s more to be THANKFUL @ SLU than just the success of the Mens Team. The Women’s soccer team posted a very good 14-4-2 mark in 2025. The Lady Billikens lost in the Atlantic 10 semi-finals as they fell to Rhode Island 4-2.
…I’m sure that the administration/Coaches @ Lindenwood University are also THANKFUL after a successful 1st year playing at the D-1 level in all Mens/Womens sports. Competing in the Ohio Valley Conference, Lindenwood posted a 14-3-4 record in Mens Basketball. The Lions were very, very good @ home in 2025 as they posted a 9-0-3 home record! Jumping to D-1 was a big step for the Lions but they’ve taken many other “steps” since their opening in 1832 (they opened as an ALL-Girls school). Shocking to me…I had NO idea that they’d been around that long.
….While soccer is winding down, we have to be THANKFUL for all the promise that the St Louis U Mens basketball team brings to the 25-26 season. Very quietly, the Billikens have already posted a 5-1record. Early wins over SE Missouri, Chicago State, Lindenwood, Grand Canyon & Purdue-Ft Wayne were ALL at the Chaifetz Arena. (footnote—last time that I heard of Ft Wayne was way, way back in my younger (much, much younger) years when it was the Ft Wayne Pistons in the NBA!! SLU fell to Illinois State in their 1st road game. I think it really is a good idea to take your team on the road for a non-conference game prior to the conference schedule opening up. That way, the exposure to a new setting, the fans booing, yelling, mocking you isn’t brand new to you in a conference game. Further, a non-conference loss often gives the team more of an incentive to improve in practice.
….Other collegiate basketball coaches are also THANKFUL for games to begin the Season. In Columbia, MO, the Tigers have already posted a 6-0 mark in non-conference action. The Tigers have beaten 2025-26 opponents—Howard–88-67; SE Missouri- 89-84; VMI–106-68; Minnesota-83-60; Prairie View
91-73 and South Dakota-102-68. It seems to me that the scoring has increased in recent games. I would guess that the “starters” are getting more playing time as the tougher part of the schedule approaches.
…Thanks to all of you for your consistent, weekly reads—I’m very THANKFUL for your interest & support! HAPPY THANKSGIVING! Bob
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