BCS Bowl Games 2011: How Would Michigan State Spartans Fare Vs. the BCS Teams?
Based on the final BCS standings, Michigan State is being left out of the BCS since there was a three-way tie atop the Big Ten.
Sparty, Wisky and OSU all finished 11-1 (7-1) and are all ranked in the Top 10 in the BCS, but MSU is ranked the lowest, therefore leaving them out of the party.
However, as a college football fanatic and a Michigan State football columnist, comparing them to the BCS teams will be fun to write as well as interesting for Spartan fans everywhere.
Plus, it may add more wood to the fire in terms of why there MUST be a college football playoff system at the FBS level.
Enjoy the list, and let's get some conversations started about Spartan football!
Side note: Check out coach Mark Dantonio's face in the photo; you know he's ready for bowl season, baby!
1. Connecticut Huskies
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After controlling their own destiny the final few weeks of the season, UConn pulled through and won the Big East.
Not only is this the Huskies' first ever Big East football championship, but it's also their first trip to the BCS.
Can you say, "Move over, UConn basketball?" No, but the football program has proven the past few years to be a worthy opponent.
With that being said, they did improve throughout the season since their 30-10 loss to Michigan back in Week 1.
However, other than West Virginia (now ranked) and Michigan (was ranked), the Huskies have not played anyone ranked at the time they played those schools.
Their win over West Virginia was impressive because the Mountaineers have been the football "Beast in the Big East" the past few years.
However, the Spartans are a different kind of animal, and to beat a Big Ten squad in a bowl game is no easy task.
Prediction: Michigan State 31 Connecticut 10
2. Virginia Tech Hokies
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Eleven straight wins after the hangover loss to James Madison AFTER the Boise State loss.
Next to Wisconsin and Stanford, the Hokies are arguably playing the best football right now.
Plus, in taking the ACC by storm after beginning 0-2, it was one of the few correct predictions I made back when the season was still young.
Much like the ACC being the Big East 2.0, Va Tech is West Virginia 2.0.
They can not only play with the big boys, but they are also out to prove to themselves that they are for real.
In the eyes of most of the country, the 11-game win streak has pretty much vaporized their early season losses. But don't expect the Hokies to lay low, especially with this year's upcoming BCS bowl game.
If there is one team that could compete against Big Ten foes, Va Tech is certainly most deserving.
Prediction: Michigan State 28 Virginia Tech 24
3. Arkansas Razorbacks
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One of the hottest teams in the country with a six-game win streak, the Razorbacks were very deserving of their at-large BCS bowl bid.
Their only losses on the year were against Alabama and Auburn, but three big wins came against LSU, Mississippi State and South Carolina.
Behind the right arm of Ryan Mallett, Arkansas ranks third in passing yards and averages 37 points per game.
The run game and defense are arguably the weak points, but in a pass-heavy offense this is not uncommon.
However, no one in the Big Ten has faced an offense quite like Arkansas.
I know Michigan was very efficient, but in comparison to who they played, the Razorbacks have the edge AND have more than just one weapon.
Prediction: Arkansas 34 Michigan State 28
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4. Oklahoma Sooners
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Even in beginning the season 6-0 before losing to Missouri, the Sooners' season has not seemed nearly as impressive as recent years.
With Texas not being bowl eligible this year, it seemed as though the Southern division of the Big 12 was not as interesting.
Don't get me wrong—they are most certainly BCS worthy, but with wins over Texas, Iowa State, Colorado, Texas Tech and Baylor (all of whom are unranked), it's tough to say they could defeat the Spartans.
However, their wins over Florida State, Oklahoma State and Nebraska are very impressive.
Oklahoma is one of the more interesting 11-2 squads over the years, because their early season struggles against Utah State, Air Force and Cincinnati caused some paranoia in Soonerville.
If Sparty gets out on top early like Nebraska did, the Sooners may be in a different sort of trouble.
Prediction: Michigan State 30 Oklahoma 20
5. Ohio State Buckeyes
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The Ohio State rushing duo of Terrelle Pryor and Danny Herron, versus Sparty's Edwin Baker and Le'Veon Bell, have totaled more than 1,700 rushing yards each, which then allow the passing lanes to be open.
The difference here: Pryor is a dual threat, while Kirk Cousins remains the prototypical pocket passer.
In terms of yards allowed per contest, the Buckeyes have the defensive advantage in being ranked second. In comparison, Michigan State ranks 31st.
However, these rankings are not indicative of how each defense has played.
For starters, Wisconsin shut down Pryor, and it is ranked 21st. Much like the Badgers, Sparty plays very disciplined defense.
Comparing the Bucks to TCU wouldn't match up because of strength of schedule.
Also, Michigan State's run game, as previously mentioned between Baker and Bell, is very comparable to that of John Clay and James White of Wisconsin.
Prediction: Michigan State 23 Ohio State 21
6. Wisconsin Badgers
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Arguably the most balanced rushing attack in the Big Ten.
James White has eclipsed the 1,000-yard milestone, and John Clay is right behind with 936 yards. Expect Clay to reach a grand come bowl season.
A big reason why Sparty upset Wisky was shutting out the passing attack.
As good at running the ball as the Badgers are, making them (let alone any team) one-dimensional is no easy task.
However, two weeks later the Badgers upset then-No. 1-ranked Ohio State and then went into the pink locker rooms at Iowa and won a barn burner.
Since then, Wisconsin has been on a roll and earned the Rose Bowl bid as the Big Ten representative.
Prediction: Wisconsin 31 Michigan State 28
7. Stanford Cardinal
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Behind the arm of QB Andrew Luck (3,051 passing yards) and on the legs of RB Stepfan Taylor (1,023 rushing yards), Jim Harbaugh's offense has been consistent all year.
Averaging just over 40 points per game, the Cardinal offense was held to under 30 points in just one game (a 17-13 W over Arizona State).
The defense began somewhat inconsistent, but in the last five games they have not allowed more than 17 points in each contest.
However, as a conference the Pac-10 had high preseason expectations. But other than Stanford and Oregon, the rest of the conference has been lackluster.
Prediction: Michigan State 27 Stanford 23
8. TCU Horned Frogs
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Regardless of what one may think about the Horned Frogs' strength of schedule, they have dominated 11 of their 12 contests.
San Diego State was the only contender.
With that being said, a team with an offense that averages 40 points per game and a defense that only gives up 11 points per game is still not receiving national respect.
Why? Because not only were they the odd team out in the race for a national championship (see Auburn from 2004 and Utah from 2008), they don't even have a Heisman Trophy candidate.
However, the BCS formula does have some credible reasons. Example: The best team TCU beat was then-No. 5-ranked Utah (a 47-7 thwomping in Utah).
It would have been fun to see the No. 1-ranked D versus the No. 1-ranked O (Oregon) or versus the resiliency that has been Cam Newton in Auburn.
However, this year strength of schedule has meant more than in previous years, and comparing the Big Ten (especially Sparty, Wisky and OSU) to the Mountain West does not carry the same weight.
Prediction: Michigan State 24 TCU 21
9. Oregon Ducks
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Oregon has been only tested once thus far (a 15-13 win versus California) and has showed no signs of slowing down.
Obviously they will be tested against Auburn and would be if they faced off against Michigan State, a disciplined D that has the ability to cause some problems.
But even had the Spartans not had the one hiccup game against Iowa, Oregon would still have outdone them in the BCS standings because of their style points for the voters.
Defensively the Ducks start off rather weak, but it's more like a slow death.
A good example would be their game against Stanford, where they allowed 21 first-quarter points but then only 10 thereafter. As the game continued, Oregon's hydraulic strength took over on the way to a 52-31 victory.
Prediction: Oregon 35 Michigan State 24
10. Auburn Tigers
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Perfect through 13 games, with nine of them being in the roughest conference in all of college football.
The Tigers have everything going their way, and Cam Newton is to see that nothing changes.
Easily the most dynamic player this year, and even if Sparty were to shut him down, Auburn still has Michael Dyer and Onterio McCalebb, who have totaled for over 1,700 yards rushing in addition to Mr. Newton.
Defensively, Auburn has struggled greatly in comparison to their offensive brethren.
However, they have been just as resilient. Look at the entire game versus Alabama and you can see their ability to overcome any situation.
Prediction: Auburn 33 Michigan State 23
Summary
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1. Michigan State 31 Connecticut 10
2. Michigan State 28 Virginia Tech 24
3. Arkansas 34 Michigan State 28
4. Michigan State 30 Oklahoma 20
5. Michigan State 23 Ohio State 21
6. Wisconsin 31 Michigan State 28
7. Michigan State 27 Stanford 23
8. Michigan State 24 TCU 21
9. Oregon 35 Michigan State 24
10. Auburn 33 Michigan State 23
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
