When you bring Hall of Fame Sports Writer Lyndal Scranton into the studio, you know you’re in for stories, honesty, and a whole lot of inside baseball… and in this case? Inside barbecue.

In our latest conversation with Lyndal, joined by Scott Puryear and Ned Reynolds, we covered everything from world-class brisket to Missouri State’s football revival to the tough realities facing Bears basketball. And yes… we even got a sneak peek into Lyndal’s barbecue battle plans for 2026.

CHECK OUT THE FULL INTERVIEW HERE:

Championship BBQ & The American Royal Shake-Up

Before we hit the gridiron or the hardwood, Lyndal took us behind the scenes of his other competitive world: barbecue.

His team recently competed at the American Royal World Series of Barbecue, battling rough weather, scheduling conflicts, and what he said was a noticeably thinner field. Participation is down, especially from southern teams. and Lyndal says the late scheduling is a big reason why.

The biggest surprise?
His team is planning to skip the 2026 American Royal altogether.

Instead, they’ll focus on other contests that better fit their season and strategy. When a Hall of Fame sports writer breaks down BBQ like a postseason bracket, you listen.

Bears Football: From Struggle to Surge

Now to the team that has everyone talking: Missouri State Bears Football.

Lyndal walked us through what he calls one of the most impressive turnarounds in recent MSU history, marching into their first-ever FBS bowl game and doing it with confidence.

The secret sauce?

• Smart coaching hires
• Aggressive and intentional use of the transfer portal
• A modern approach to program building, including staff roles like GMs and player-acquisition specialists
• Solid booster support

Head Coach Ryan Beard isn’t trying to out-NIL the Power 4. Instead, he’s focusing on something more sustainable: facilities, development, and culture.

With major conferences moving to nine mandatory conference games, Group of 5 teams like the Bears are losing those big-money non-conference matchups that help balance the books. That makes Beard’s long-term strategy even more important.

And here’s the best part:
Lyndal says the outcome of this year’s bowl game doesn’t define the season — recruiting momentum already does.

Bears Basketball: A Tough Reality Check

Then… there’s basketball.

While football is climbing, Missouri State Bears Basketball is trying to find its footing under Head Coach Cuonzo Martin. And Lyndal didn’t sugarcoat the situation.

The hard truth:

• Very few early-season Division I wins
• A conference (CUSA) considered “soft,” yet still exposing roster gaps
• A 25-year NCAA Tournament drought
• An incomplete roster that rarely fires on all cylinders
• A year-to-year rebuild that never quite settles

And perhaps the toughest blow?

Lyndal says what most fans already feel but don’t want to admit:
Winning fixes everything, especially marketing and fan engagement.
Right now, the H&P is waiting for something to ignite.