BCS Bowl Predictions: Why We'll Only See One Team from the Big Ten in the BCS

There are conferences, like the SEC and Pac-12, that deserve to have two teams in a BCS bowl game. Then there are conferences like the Big Ten that only deserve to have one team make it to a BCS bowl game.  

Now that’s not a shot to the Big Ten conference as a whole. They have had a great season in putting together some memorable games. In fact a team like the Wisconsin Badgers saw two thrilling finishes end their game.  

Who knows what would have happened if the Badgers didn’t lose on a Hail Mary pass to both Michigan State and Ohio State. If Wisconsin isn’t the victim of lucky plays, they could be 12-0 and playing for a national title.  

Instead Wisconsin had to scratch and claw their way just to win the Leaders Division after a blowout win against Penn State today. They now head into Indianapolis to face the Big Ten Legends Division champions, the Michigan State Spartans. 

Both teams will come into this game ranked in the top 15 of the BCS standings, with the winner heading to the Rose Bowl and the loser to a nice January 2nd bowl game. 

After the Big Ten championship game, either Wisconsin or Michigan State will be ranked in the top 14 of the last BCS standings, as will the Michigan Wolverines.  

Michigan has had a phenomenal year, going 10-2. Nothing that they accomplished this year should be discounted. However, because of being ranked right around No. 14 of the final BCS standings, they will be stuck behind two non-BCS recognized schools in the Houston Cougars and Boise State Broncos.  

Michigan will be a victim of not having enough spots for this Wolverines team to get an at-large bid. The BCS selection crew will have no choice but to get Houston and Boise State those two at-large spots in the Fiesta, Sugar and Orange bowls.  

Michigan has had a great year and their team and fans should be rewarded with a BCS bowl game this year. However, because of Houston and Boise State’s undefeated and one-loss seasons respectively, the Wolverines and Big Ten will be pushed out of a big pay day in the BCS. 

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