Bowl Projections: Why Michigan Must Cheer for Oklahoma State

Does Michigan belong in a BCS game? Well, that really depends on how things shake out for the rest of the season. 

The Big Ten champion, either Wisconsin or Michigan State, will go to the Rose Bowl. The loser of that game will have an inferior record than the 10-2 mark that Michigan boasts, so they won't be a factor.

If Stanford beats Notre Dame tonight, they're in a BCS game. With only one loss on the season to a quality Oregon team, they are easily BCS worthy. 

I don't know that either the ACC or Big East champs belong in a BCS game, but that can't be changed. With a perfect record, Houston belongs. 

So, unless Stanford does fall to Notre Dame, that leaves Michigan. There's one problem though. 

What happens if Oklahoma wins the Big XII? Well, they would take Oklahoma State's spot in the Fiesta Bowl, but the Cowboys would have to be in over the Wolverines. 

Oklahoma State and Michigan would each have 10-2 records. The Big XII is a far more difficult conference this year than what the Big Ten has to offer. It would be nearly impossible to claim that Michigan is more worthy. 

Now, I know that it's a matter of selection. Michigan does bring a bigger crowd than Oklahoma State, and that can't be completely ignored. It just can't be too much of a factor. 

Oklahoma State belongs in the BCS this season. There's really no way that they can lose to Oklahoma and not belong. Their schedule is tough and they have been quite dominant through the run.

As of now, their only loss came less than 24 hours removed from a tragic plane crash that killed two members of the school's athletic department. I can't believe that the players and coaches weren't a little distracted.

If everything else holds up, Michigan just needs Oklahoma State to hold their home field against Oklahoma in bedlam. If they do, the Wolverines will be fine. 

If not, the Wolverines will be watching the BCS from home, which would be right.

BCS Bowl Predictions

BCS National Championship Game	LSU vs. Alabama
Orange Bowl	Clemson vs. Cincinnati
Sugar Bowl	Houston vs. Michigan
Rose Bowl	Wisconsin vs. Oregon
Fiesta Bowl	Oklahoma State vs. Stanford