PRESS PICKS (Bowl Season - Pt. 2): CFP quarters look about right but more problems are on the horizon
STAFF REPORT
Enough has been said regarding the train wreck that is the College Football Playoff and its collective paradox. It’s as though everybody on either side of the aisle feels vindicated for their convictions of just how deformed the process has gotten.
Whether it’s the teams selected (or not as the case may be), the process of seeding teams, when games are played, etc., there are plenty of complaints to go around.
But, at least for the next round of playoffs, the games look in order.
Sure, the 8-9 seed game (Bama-OU) could have gone either way. Ditto for the 7-10 seed that featured Miami and Texas A&M.
But Ole Miss and Oregon followed expectations and set up what looks like the games most thought would be in the quarterfinals.
And frankly, they are solid contests, at least on the surface.
Which leads to the idea that eight is enough or one less round. Heck, the old setup of four teams probably is, although cases could be made for Oregon, Ole Miss or the other first-round winners as “deserving of a spot in the semis,”
But this event isn’t about the best teams, or the best matchups. It’s about TV ratings, extended publicity…. making ESPN the spotlight in the process.
When this event rolls around in a year, the chances are pretty good it will be 16 teams, which begs the question - where are you going to put all these games, TV-wise?
The NFL owns the weekends once “Championship weekend is completed.” The regular season could be pushed up a week, starting prior to Labor Day weekend. ESPN would love that. Not sure the college football teams would, especially in the south where temperatures on an August Saturday afternoon might reach triple-digits at game time.
Moving the playoffs “back” a week is not a solution either, since the NFL isn’t going to make any special arrangements to satisfy the college football world.
Games moved to Thursday? Or four on Friday? Or, perish the thought, games would be played simultaneously… ESPN certainly doesn’t want that.
But here lies the problem - there are only so many timeslots and only a handful will be allowed to got head-to-head with the NFL.
In case you haven’t noticed, the “League” has a monopoly on TV priority.Their handlers have learned that the more “singular” games are available the better the ratings, at least over the entire weekend.
College football agrees - Its choices are limited.
For the college game, there is no perfect scenario. But to have what it wants, it will need to get creative. What that looks like is anybody’s guess.
2025 Standings (Previous picks)
1. Michael Butler 190-65 (10-5).754
2. Graham Dunn 188-67 (9-6) .750
3. Doug Amos 182-73 (10-5) .713
4. Wesley Lyle 179-76 (9-6) .708
5. Tim Gayle 178-77 (7-8) .700
4. Barry McKnight 177-78 (11-4) .708
7. Rick Hendrick 172-83 (10-5) .683
Lindsey Bonner 172-83 (9-6) .679
9. Mike Peacock 170-85 (8-7) .679
10. Rosie Langello 169-86 (7-8) .667
Michael Butler (WTLS 101.1&94.7 FM/1300 AM/Tallassee Times)
190-65 (10-5).754
Birmingham Bowl (Dec 29): Ga Southern vs App State. - Ga. Southern
Fenway Bowl (Dec 27): UConn vs Army - Army
Military Bowl (Dec. 27) - Pitt vs East Carolina - Pitt
Gator Bowl (Dec 27): Missouri vs Virginia - Missouri
Texas Bowl (Dec 27: LSU vs Houston - LSU
Pop Tarts Bowl (Dec 27): Ga Tech vs. BYU - Ga. Tech
Pinstripe Bowl (Dec. 27): Penn St vs Clemson - Clemson
Music City (Dec 30): Tennessee vs Illinois - Tennessee
Alamo Bowl (Dec 30): USC vs TCU - USC
Independence Bowl (Dec. 30): Coastal Carolina vs. La Tech - La Tech
Reliaquest Bowl (Dec 31): Vanderbilt vs. Iowa - Vanderbilt
Sun Bowl (Dec 31): Duke vs Arizona St. - Arizona St
Citrus Bowl (Dec 31): Michigan vs Texas - Texas
Las Vegas Bowl (Dec 31): Nebraska vs Utah - Utah
Liberty Bowl (Jan 2): Navy vs Cincinnati - Navy
Mayo Bowl (Jan 2): Miss St vs. Wake Forest - Miss St
Holiday Bowl (Jan 2): Arizona vs SMU - Arizona
Armed Forces Bowl (Jan 2): Texas St vs Rice - Texas St
CFP Quarters(Sugar): Ole Miss vs Georgia - Georgia
CFP Quarters (Rose): Alabama vs Indiana - Alabama
CFP Quarters (Cotton): Miami vs. Ohio St - Ohio St
CFP Quarters (Orange): Texas Tech vs. Oregon - Oregon
Semifinals (Fiesta): Ole Miss/Georgia vs. Miami/Ohio St - Georgia
Semifinals (Peach): Texas Tech/Oregon vs Alabama/Indiana - Alabama
National Champion: Georgia
Graham Dunn (River Region Sports/WTLS/Voice of Alabama State Hornets)
188-67 (9-6) .750
Birmingham Bowl (Dec 29): Ga Southern vs App State. - Ga Southern
Fenway Bowl (Dec 27): UConn vs Army - UConn
Military Bowl (Dec. 27) - Pitt vs East Carolina - Pitt
Gator Bowl (Dec 27): Missouri vs Virginia - Missouri
Texas Bowl (Dec 27: LSU vs Houston - LSU
Pop Tarts Bowl (Dec 27): Ga Tech vs. BYU - BYU
Pinstripe Bowl (Dec. 27): Penn St vs Clemson - Clemson
Music City (Dec 30): Tennessee vs Illinois - Tennessee
Alamo Bowl (Dec 30): USC vs TCU - USC
Independence Bowl (Dec. 30): Coastal Carolina vs. La Tech - La Tech
Reliaquest Bowl (Dec 31): Vanderbilt vs. Iowa - Vanderbilt
Sun Bowl (Dec 31): Duke vs Arizona St. - Arizona St
Citrus Bowl (Dec 31): Michigan vs Texas - Texas
Las Vegas Bowl (Dec 31): Nebraska vs Utah - Utah
Liberty Bowl (Jan 2): Navy vs Cincinnati - Navy
Mayo Bowl (Jan 2): Miss St vs. Wake Forest - Miss St
Holiday Bowl (Jan 2): Arizona vs SMU - SMU
Armed Forces Bowl (Jan 2): Texas St vs Rice - Texas St
CFP Quarters(Sugar): Ole Miss vs Georgia - Georgia
CFP Quarters (Rose): Alabama vs Indiana - Indiana
CFP Quarters (Cotton): Miami vs. Ohio St - Ohio St
CFP Quarters (Orange): Texas Tech vs. Oregon - Texas Tech
Semifinals (Fiesta): Ole Miss/Georgia vs. Miami/Ohio St - Georgia
Semifinals (Peach): Texas Tech/Oregon vs Alabama/Indiana - Texas Tech
National Champion: Texas Tech
Doug Amos (ESPN The Ticket)
182-73 (10-5) .713
Birmingham Bowl (Dec 29): Ga Southern vs App State. - Ga. Southern
Fenway Bowl (Dec 27): UConn vs Army - UConn
Military Bowl (Dec. 27) - Pitt vs East Carolina - Pitt
Gator Bowl (Dec 27): Missouri vs Virginia - Missouri
Texas Bowl (Dec 27: LSU vs Houston - LSU
Pop Tarts Bowl (Dec 27): Ga Tech vs. BYU - BYU
Pinstripe Bowl (Dec. 27): Penn St vs Clemson - Clemson
Music City (Dec 30): Tennessee vs Illinois - Tennessee
Alamo Bowl (Dec 30): USC vs TCU - USC
Independence Bowl (Dec. 30): Coastal Carolina vs. La Tech - La Tech
Reliaquest Bowl (Dec 31): Vanderbilt vs. Iowa - Vanderbilt
Sun Bowl (Dec 31): Duke vs Arizona St. - Arizona St
Citrus Bowl (Dec 31): Michigan vs Texas - Texas
Las Vegas Bowl (Dec 31): Nebraska vs Utah - Utah
Liberty Bowl (Jan 2): Navy vs Cincinnati - Cincinnati
Mayo Bowl (Jan 2): Miss St vs. Wake Forest - Miss St
Holiday Bowl (Jan 2): Arizona vs SMU - SMU
Armed Forces Bowl (Jan 2): Texas St vs Rice - Texas St
CFP Quarters(Sugar): Ole Miss vs Georgia - Georgia
CFP Quarters (Rose): Alabama vs Indiana - Indiana
CFP Quarters (Cotton): Miami vs. Ohio St - Ohio St
CFP Quarters (Orange): Texas Tech vs. Oregon - Texas Tech
Semifinals (Fiesta): Ole Miss/Georgia vs. Miami/Ohio St - Ohio St
Semifinals (Peach): Texas Tech/Oregon vs Alabama/Indiana - Texas Tech
National Champion: Ohio St
Wesley Lyle (River Region Sports)
179-76 (9-6) .708
Birmingham Bowl (Dec 29): Ga Southern vs App State. - Ga. Southern
Fenway Bowl (Dec 27): UConn vs Army - Army
Military Bowl (Dec. 27) - Pitt vs East Carolina - Pitt
Gator Bowl (Dec 27): Missouri vs Virginia - Virginia
Texas Bowl (Dec 27: LSU vs Houston - LSU
Pop Tarts Bowl (Dec 27): Ga Tech vs. BYU - BYU
Pinstripe Bowl (Dec. 27): Penn St vs Clemson - Clemson
Music City (Dec 30): Tennessee vs Illinois - Tennessee
Alamo Bowl (Dec 30): USC vs TCU - USC
Independence Bowl (Dec. 30): Coastal Carolina vs. La Tech - La Tech
Reliaquest Bowl (Dec 31): Vanderbilt vs. Iowa - Vanderbilt
Sun Bowl (Dec 31): Duke vs Arizona St. - Duke
Citrus Bowl (Dec 31): Michigan vs Texas - Texas
Las Vegas Bowl (Dec 31): Nebraska vs Utah - Utah
Liberty Bowl (Jan 2): Navy vs Cincinnati - Navy
Mayo Bowl (Jan 2): Miss St vs. Wake Forest - Miss St
Holiday Bowl (Jan 2): Arizona vs SMU - Arizona
Armed Forces Bowl (Jan 2): Texas St vs Rice - Texas St
CFP Quarters(Sugar): Ole Miss vs Georgia - Georgia
CFP Quarters (Rose): Alabama vs Indiana - Alabama
CFP Quarters (Cotton): Miami vs. Ohio St - Ohio St
CFP Quarters (Orange): Texas Tech vs. Oregon - Texas Tech
Semifinals (Fiesta): Ole Miss/Georgia vs. Miami/Ohio St - Georgia
Semifinals (Peach): Texas Tech/Oregon vs Alabama/Indiana - Alabama
National Champion: Georgia
Tim Gayle (River Region Sports/Montgomery Independent)
178-77 (7-8) .700
Birmingham Bowl (Dec 29): Ga Southern vs App State. - Ga. Southern
Fenway Bowl (Dec 27): UConn vs Army - Army
Military Bowl (Dec. 27) - Pitt vs East Carolina - Pitt
Gator Bowl (Dec 27): Missouri vs Virginia - Missouri
Texas Bowl (Dec 27: LSU vs Houston - Houston
Pop Tarts Bowl (Dec 27): Ga Tech vs. BYU - Ga. Tech
Pinstripe Bowl (Dec. 27): Penn St vs Clemson - Clemson
Music City (Dec 30): Tennessee vs Illinois - Tennessee
Alamo Bowl (Dec 30): USC vs TCU - USC
Independence Bowl (Dec. 30): Coastal Carolina vs. La Tech - La Tech
Reliaquest Bowl (Dec 31): Vanderbilt vs. Iowa - Vanderbilt
Sun Bowl (Dec 31): Duke vs Arizona St. - Duke
Citrus Bowl (Dec 31): Michigan vs Texas - Texas
Las Vegas Bowl (Dec 31): Nebraska vs Utah - Utah
Liberty Bowl (Jan 2): Navy vs Cincinnati - Navy
Mayo Bowl (Jan 2): Miss St vs. Wake Forest - Miss St
Holiday Bowl (Jan 2): Arizona vs SMU - Arizona
Armed Forces Bowl (Jan 2): Texas St vs Rice - Texas St
CFP Quarters(Sugar): Ole Miss vs Georgia - Georgia
CFP Quarters (Rose): Alabama vs Indiana - Alabama
CFP Quarters (Cotton): Miami vs. Ohio St - Ohio St
CFP Quarters (Orange): Texas Tech vs. Oregon - Oregon
Semifinals (Fiesta): Ole Miss/Georgia vs. Miami/Ohio St - Georgia
Semifinals (Peach): Texas Tech/Oregon vs Alabama/Indiana - Alabama
National Champion: Georgia
Barry McKnight (Voice of Troy Trojans)
177-78 (11-4) .708
Birmingham Bowl (Dec 29): Ga Southern vs App State. - Ga. Southern
Fenway Bowl (Dec 27): UConn vs Army - Army
Military Bowl (Dec. 27) - Pitt vs East Carolina - Pitt
Gator Bowl (Dec 27): Missouri vs Virginia - Virginia
Texas Bowl (Dec 27: LSU vs Houston - Houston
Pop Tarts Bowl (Dec 27): Ga Tech vs. BYU - BYU
Pinstripe Bowl (Dec. 27): Penn St vs Clemson - Clemson
Music City (Dec 30): Tennessee vs Illinois - Tennessee
Alamo Bowl (Dec 30): USC vs TCU - USC
Independence Bowl (Dec. 30): Coastal Carolina vs. La Tech - La Tech
Reliaquest Bowl (Dec 31): Vanderbilt vs. Iowa - Vanderbilt
Sun Bowl (Dec 31): Duke vs Arizona St. - Duke
Citrus Bowl (Dec 31): Michigan vs Texas - Texas
Las Vegas Bowl (Dec 31): Nebraska vs Utah - Utah
Liberty Bowl (Jan 2): Navy vs Cincinnati - Navy
Mayo Bowl (Jan 2): Miss St vs. Wake Forest - Miss St
Holiday Bowl (Jan 2): Arizona vs SMU - Arizona
Armed Forces Bowl (Jan 2): Texas St vs Rice - Rice
CFP Quarters(Sugar): Ole Miss vs Georgia - Georgia
CFP Quarters (Rose): Alabama vs Indiana - Indiana
CFP Quarters (Cotton): Miami vs. Ohio St - Ohio St
CFP Quarters (Orange): Texas Tech vs. Oregon - Texas Tech
Semifinals (Fiesta): Ole Miss/Georgia vs. Miami/Ohio St - Ohio St
Semifinals (Peach): Texas Tech/Oregon vs Alabama/Indiana - Indiana
National Champion: Indiana
Lindsey Bonner (Sports Director - WAKA Ch. 8)
172-83 (9-6) .679
Birmingham Bowl (Dec 29): Ga Southern vs App State. -
Fenway Bowl (Dec 27): UConn vs Army -
Military Bowl (Dec. 27) - Pitt vs East Carolina -
Gator Bowl (Dec 27): Missouri vs Virginia -
Texas Bowl (Dec 27: LSU vs Houston -
Pop Tarts Bowl (Dec 27): Ga Tech vs. BYU -
Pinstripe Bowl (Dec. 27): Penn St vs Clemson -
Music City (Dec 30): Tennessee vs Illinois -
Alamo Bowl (Dec 30): USC vs TCU -
Independence Bowl (Dec. 30): Coastal Carolina vs. La Tech -
Reliaquest Bowl (Dec 31): Vanderbilt vs. Iowa -
Sun Bowl (Dec 31): Duke vs Arizona St. -
Citrus Bowl (Dec 31): Michigan vs Texas -
Las Vegas Bowl (Dec 31): Nebraska vs Utah -
Liberty Bowl (Jan 2): Navy vs Cincinnati -
Mayo Bowl (Jan 2): Miss St vs. Wake Forest -
Holiday Bowl (Jan 2): Arizona vs SMU -
Armed Forces Bowl (Jan 2): Texas St vs Rice -
CFP Quarters(Sugar): Ole Miss vs Georgia -
CFP Quarters (Rose): Alabama vs Indiana -
CFP Quarters (Cotton): Miami vs. Ohio St -
CFP Quarters (Orange): Texas Tech vs. Oregon -
Semifinals (Fiesta): Ole Miss/Georgia vs. Miami/Ohio St -
Semifinals (Peach): Texas Tech/Oregon vs Alabama/Indiana -
National Champion:
Rick Hendrick (WXFS 95.1 The Fox/PA Montgomery Biscuits)
172-83 (10-5) .683
Birmingham Bowl (Dec 29): Ga Southern vs App State. - App. State
Fenway Bowl (Dec 27): UConn vs Army - UConn
Military Bowl (Dec. 27) - Pitt vs East Carolina - Pitt
Gator Bowl (Dec 27): Missouri vs Virginia - Missouri
Texas Bowl (Dec 27: LSU vs Houston - LSU
Pop Tarts Bowl (Dec 27): Ga Tech vs. BYU - Ga. Tech
Pinstripe Bowl (Dec. 27): Penn St vs Clemson - Penn St
Music City (Dec 30): Tennessee vs Illinois - Tennessee
Alamo Bowl (Dec 30): USC vs TCU - USC
Independence Bowl (Dec. 30): Coastal Carolina vs. La Tech - Coastal Carolina
Reliaquest Bowl (Dec 31): Vanderbilt vs. Iowa - Vanderbilt
Sun Bowl (Dec 31): Duke vs Arizona St. - Arizona St
Citrus Bowl (Dec 31): Michigan vs Texas - Texas
Las Vegas Bowl (Dec 31): Nebraska vs Utah - Utah
Liberty Bowl (Jan 2): Navy vs Cincinnati - Cincinnati
Mayo Bowl (Jan 2): Miss St vs. Wake Forest - Miss St
Holiday Bowl (Jan 2): Arizona vs SMU - SMU
Armed Forces Bowl (Jan 2): Texas St vs Rice - Texas St
CFP Quarters(Sugar): Ole Miss vs Georgia - Georgia
CFP Quarters (Rose): Alabama vs Indiana - Alabama
CFP Quarters (Cotton): Miami vs. Ohio St - Ohio St
CFP Quarters (Orange): Texas Tech vs. Oregon - Oregon
Semifinals (Fiesta): Ole Miss/Georgia vs. Miami/Ohio St - Ohio St
Semifinals (Peach): Texas Tech/Oregon vs Alabama/Indiana - Alabama
National Champion: Alabama
Mike Peacock (River Region Sports/ASU Hornets Radio analyst )
170-85 (8-7) .679
Birmingham Bowl (Dec 29): Ga Southern vs App State. - Ga. Southern
Fenway Bowl (Dec 27): UConn vs Army - Army
Military Bowl (Dec. 27) - Pitt vs East Carolina - Pitt
Gator Bowl (Dec 27): Missouri vs Virginia - Virginia
Texas Bowl (Dec 27: LSU vs Houston - Houston
Pop Tarts Bowl (Dec 27): Ga Tech vs. BYU - BYU
Pinstripe Bowl (Dec. 27): Penn St vs Clemson - Clemson
Music City (Dec 30): Tennessee vs Illinois - Tennessee
Alamo Bowl (Dec 30): USC vs TCU - TCU
Independence Bowl (Dec. 30): Coastal Carolina vs. La Tech - Coastal Carolina
Reliaquest Bowl (Dec 31): Vanderbilt vs. Iowa - Vanderbilt
Sun Bowl (Dec 31): Duke vs Arizona St. - Arizona St
Citrus Bowl (Dec 31): Michigan vs Texas - Texas
Las Vegas Bowl (Dec 31): Nebraska vs Utah - Utah
Liberty Bowl (Jan 2): Navy vs Cincinnati - Cincinnati
Mayo Bowl (Jan 2): Miss St vs. Wake Forest - Miss St
Holiday Bowl (Jan 2): Arizona vs SMU - SMU
Armed Forces Bowl (Jan 2): Texas St vs Rice - Rice
CFP Quarters(Sugar): Ole Miss vs Georgia - Georgia
CFP Quarters (Rose): Alabama vs Indiana - Indiana
CFP Quarters (Cotton): Miami vs. Ohio St - Ohio St
CFP Quarters (Orange): Texas Tech vs. Oregon - Oregon
Semifinals (Fiesta): Ole Miss/Georgia vs. Miami/Ohio St - Georgia
Semifinals (Peach): Texas Tech/Oregon vs Alabama/Indiana - Indiana
National Champion: Indiana
Rosie Langello (Sports Director - WSFA Ch. 12)
169-86 (7-8) .667
Birmingham Bowl (Dec 29): Ga Southern vs App State. -
Fenway Bowl (Dec 27): UConn vs Army -
Military Bowl (Dec. 27) - Pitt vs East Carolina -
Gator Bowl (Dec 27): Missouri vs Virginia -
Texas Bowl (Dec 27: LSU vs Houston -
Pop Tarts Bowl (Dec 27): Ga Tech vs. BYU -
Pinstripe Bowl (Dec. 27): Penn St vs Clemson -
Music City (Dec 30): Tennessee vs Illinois -
Alamo Bowl (Dec 30): USC vs TCU -
Independence Bowl (Dec. 30): Coastal Carolina vs. La Tech -
Reliaquest Bowl (Dec 31): Vanderbilt vs. Iowa -
Sun Bowl (Dec 31): Duke vs Arizona St. -
Citrus Bowl (Dec 31): Michigan vs Texas -
Las Vegas Bowl (Dec 31): Nebraska vs Utah -
Liberty Bowl (Jan 2): Navy vs Cincinnati -
Mayo Bowl (Jan 2): Miss St vs. Wake Forest -
Holiday Bowl (Jan 2): Arizona vs SMU -
Armed Forces Bowl (Jan 2): Texas St vs Rice -
CFP Quarters(Sugar): Ole Miss vs Georgia -
CFP Quarters (Rose): Alabama vs Indiana -
CFP Quarters (Cotton): Miami vs. Ohio St -
CFP Quarters (Orange): Texas Tech vs. Oregon -
Semifinals (Fiesta): Ole Miss/Georgia vs. Miami/Ohio St -
Semifinals (Peach): Texas Tech/Oregon vs Alabama/Indiana -
National Champion: