BCS Standings 2011: Michigan State and 3 Teams Who Will Get Too Much Love

Big wins or wins over teams with big names? That is the question I pose for anyone considering the praise in store for teams like Michigan State. These teams were surely victorious or heavily favored on this seventh Saturday afternoon of the 2011 College Football season, but how big were their victories?

The Spartans thwarted the undefeated season of the Michigan Wolverines in the latest incarnation of that storied rivalry, but is it really that impressive of a win?

I analyze their poll landing spot and others.

Michigan State

The Spartans came into their Week 7 showdown with No. 11 Michigan with a 4-1 record. The Spartans have beat no one. Their wins are over Youngstown State, Florida Atlantic, Ohio State, Central Michigan and now the Wolverines.

Michigan is nowhere close to being the 11th-best team in the country, and for as dynamic as Denard Robinson is, it would be a travesty to have a QB win the Heisman trophy with equal or more INTs than TDs.

This was a nice win, but it doesn't justify the Top 15 or 20 rank they'll get after this one.

Stanford

The Cardinal is another team whose ranking and imminent BCS ranking is a product of reputation. This week they travel to Washington State in a game they should win handily. That has been the case all year long as they have yet to face a ranked opponent and only have one scheduled.

This non-conference schedule should keep them out of a BCS bowl game in my opinion, especially if they lose to Oregon on November 12th. 

Boise State

Was beating the then-19th ranked, but since exposed, Georgia Bulldogs in the season opener supposed to validate their Top 10 preseason ranking? To their credit, no team has been within 20 points since they beat Georgia by 14 in Week 1 on a neutral field.

So, though I'm not quite as down on Boise as I am Stanford, their non-conference schedule makes it hard for them to win their way into a national championship or BCS game. The only way for them to get there is to climb the rankings as the big teams eliminate each other, by playing stiffer competition.

That is not controlling your own destiny.