PRESS PICKS: WTLS's Butler wins 2025 title
STAFF REPORT
Congratulations to Michael Butler, the winner of the 2025 Press Picks contest. He edged out Graham Dunn by one pick to take the title.
Barry McKnight had the best set of picks for the bowl season and was the lone member of the panel to be better than .500 in those picks.
Press Picks returns again in the fall of 2026.
2025 Standings (Bowl picks)
1. Michael Butler 198-82 (8-17) .707
2. Graham Dunn 197-83 (9-16) .703
3. Barry McKnight 190-90 (13-12) .679
Doug Amos 190-90 (8-17) .679
5. Wesley Lyle 187-93 (8-17) .668
6. Tim Gayle 186-94 (8-17) .664
7. Mike Peacock 182-88 (12-13) .650
8. Rick Hendrick 176-104 (4-21) .628
9. Lindsey Bonner 172-83 (0-0) .679
10. Rosie Langello 169-86 (0-0) .667
Michael Butler (WTLS 101.1&94.7 FM/1300 AM/Tallassee Times)
198-82 (8-17) .707
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)
197-83 (9-16) .703
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
Barry McKnight (Voice of Troy Trojans)
190-90 (13-12) .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 - 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
Doug Amos (ESPN The Ticket)
190-90 (8-17) .679
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)
187-93 (8-17) .668
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)
186-94 (8-17) .664
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
Mike Peacock (River Region Sports/ASU Hornets Radio analyst )
182-88 (12-13) .650
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
Rick Hendrick (WXFS 95.1 The Fox/PA Montgomery Biscuits)
176-104 (4-21) .628
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
Lindsey Bonner (Sports Director - WAKA Ch. 8)
172-83 (0-0) .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:
Rosie Langello (Sports Director - WSFA Ch. 12)
169-86 (0-0) .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: