Your Rooting Interests for Today
Oklahoma State's generosity has left a pretty clear path to the BCS for Michigan. As unthinkable as it was, I think we're down to hoping for just three teams (not counting Michigan) to win out for the Wolverines to secure their first bid since 2006. Those teams are:
- Oklahoma
- Notre Dame
- Oregon
The SEC will get one at-large bid. If Oklahoma wins out, they win the Big 12 and give OK State two losses in their last three. If Notre Dame wins out, Stanford finishes with two losses. If Oregon wins out, they get the PAC-12 bid instead of an at-large bid. The Big East is lucky to get one bid, I doubt any bowl wants to invite an apathetic ACC runner-up, and eithe Houston or Boise will get a bid. That, plus Wisconsin or MSU guaranteed to lose one more would leave Michigan in the driver's seat. Thoughts?
November 19th, 2011 at 10:10 AM ^
November 19th, 2011 at 10:46 AM ^
I haz your back.
November 19th, 2011 at 10:12 AM ^
I'm rooting for Michigan and Indiana...everyone else is second tier to me
November 19th, 2011 at 10:18 AM ^
I dunno I could see Stanford getting in over us as well as 3 sec teams: Arkansas, LSU, and Alabama. Does anyone know how it works after all the at larges are determined do they then just select according to BCS ranking
November 19th, 2011 at 10:22 AM ^
The BCS games can only accept a maximum of two teams from a conference.
November 19th, 2011 at 10:28 AM ^
November 19th, 2011 at 10:50 AM ^
If TCU wins out Boise isn't the Mountain West champion; if Houston loses (and the three games they have left are the toughest they've played other than UCLA) they aren't top-16.
November 19th, 2011 at 10:56 AM ^
November 19th, 2011 at 11:09 AM ^
Could be. They won't get much help from the computers from those last two wins (CSU and UNLV) but they might move up enough in the polls to slide in.
November 19th, 2011 at 10:56 AM ^
It's not at all a given that a non-AQ gets an automatic bid. If Houston loses,there's no sure thing to meet the non-AQ criteria. The top-ranked non-AQ champion gets in if they are in the top 12 of the BCS ratings or top 16 and there's an AQ champion ranked below them, i.e. the Big East champion. Houston is in if they win out, but I honestly think that's doubtful. Boise State is in great shape in the rankings, but have virtually no shot at being champion of the MWC. TCU is currently 19 and so they have a legitimate shot. But, their last two games are against Colorado State and UNLV, combined record of 5-13. That will be a hit on their computer rankings that might cancel out any rise in the polls.
If I had to put money on it right now, I'd say there won't be a non-AQ team in the BCS.
November 19th, 2011 at 11:12 AM ^
are in the SEC not the ACC. Clemson plays Virginia Tech for ACC championship.
November 19th, 2011 at 10:41 AM ^
The BCS bowls select at large teams in the order of the BCS rank of their automatic qualifier. They can select whoever they want subject to the following:
- must be in top 14 of final BCS standings
- must have at least 9 victories
- no conference can have more than 2 BCS teams
- Notre Dame must be in if they're in the top 8
- the highest-rated champion of a non-AQ conference gets in if they're in the top 12, or if they're in the top 16 and are higher rated than any of the AQs
In the past the bowls have tended to opt for expected profitability over quality of team. One of the three SEC teams you list will be out by rule; Stanford could be left out because they don't travel well, which I think would be a shame.
November 19th, 2011 at 10:24 AM ^
Michigan.
I'm college bar hopping though, so we'll see how that goes.
November 19th, 2011 at 10:24 AM ^
But i think i need a little clearer idea of who UM would play in a bcs bowl before I get too excited. Big east please. I feel like UM will have a chance to get destroyed on national tv vs bama and I fear two big losses on tv back to back hurts more than it helps.
November 19th, 2011 at 10:49 AM ^
November 19th, 2011 at 10:25 AM ^
too complex; Michigan liberal arts degree
November 19th, 2011 at 10:31 AM ^
They can't get a BCS invite unless they win the Mountain West, correct?
November 19th, 2011 at 10:43 AM ^
They can still get an at-large even if they don't win their league. I don't think it's likely, but there's no rule against it.
November 19th, 2011 at 10:32 AM ^
I think Michigan is in if we win out. I think the Oklahoma State/Oklahoma loser would be passed over for a 10-2 Michigan. I also think Houston is going to lose and TCU isn't going to win enough to slide into the top-16. There will be enough slots for 2 SEC teams, 2 Big Ten teams, 2 Big 12 teams and 2 Pac 12 teams.
November 19th, 2011 at 10:41 AM ^
After last night, I tend to agree. I think we're much better off if Oklahoma beats OK State, though. I can't imagine a BCS bowl opting for an OK State team that has lost 2 of its last 3 over a Michigan team that just beat Nebraska and OSU and has a fanbase that's ready to explode.
November 19th, 2011 at 10:48 AM ^
Wait, actually, I don't agree with everything you said. I think Houston/Boise still gets in. Then you have the 6 AQ conference champs. The SEC gets a second bid. That leaves two spots between Michigan/Nebraska, Stanford, and a Big 12 #2. although the Big 12 has been much better than the Big Ten this year, it's hard for me to imagine a two-loss OK State or K-State getting in before a two-loss Michigan/Nebraska.
<br>Long story short, if we beat Nebraska and OSU and Oklahoma beats Oklahoma State, I think we're in.
November 19th, 2011 at 10:33 AM ^
I'm rooting for Michigan and for a non-SEC title game.
November 19th, 2011 at 11:18 AM ^
Word to that. How's about Michigan vs. Oklahoma state in the fiesta bowl.
November 19th, 2011 at 10:43 AM ^
for a dollar.
November 19th, 2011 at 10:55 AM ^
I'm getting nervous talking about BCS bowl games right before we play Nebraska. First things first.
November 19th, 2011 at 11:06 AM ^
Bad omen, indeed.
One game at a time, gentlemen.
November 19th, 2011 at 11:12 AM ^
At least nobody's opened up a video games thread this morning...but yeah. It's a bad sign.
Nebraska. Focus.
November 19th, 2011 at 11:35 AM ^
Fans thinking/assuming the team is going to win have zero impact on how the team prepares for the game or how they will perform. Our level of focus and worry is not important at all.
November 19th, 2011 at 11:13 AM ^
1. IU (eff MSU)
2. Ole Miss (want to see bcs fireworks)
3. USC (cause I don't like Whoregon)
November 19th, 2011 at 11:22 AM ^
talk BCS say 4pm next Saturday mmmkay? No jumpy the gunny.
November 19th, 2011 at 11:53 AM ^
Michigan fergodsake's...
November 19th, 2011 at 12:23 PM ^
I could be inche away from death and wouldn't trade cheering for ND in exchange for life.