COLUMBIA, MO. • If there’s a team that can relate to the emotions Louisiana State players will experience this week, it’s their Saturday opponent. On Sunday, LSU fired longtime head coach Les Miles following the Tigers’ loss to Auburn less than 24 hours earlier, a stunning move for a program that began the season considered a playoff contender.
The timing and circumstances were different last November, but with three regular-season games left, Missouri coach Gary Pinkel revealed his cancer diagnosis and announced his retirement.
Like their counterparts in Baton Rouge, La., Mizzou players had to balance concerns about the team’s uncertain future with preparations for the current season.