BCS Rankings: Michigan and Teams That Helped Themselves the Most on Saturday

Let's leave LSU and Alabama aside for just a moment while we have a look at the rest of the BCS picture.

Because, contrary to popular belief, the college football world extends well beyond the SEC and there's more that's worth playing for than just the crystal football, coveted as it may be.

Michigan

The Brady Hoke Era in Ann Arbor has been a rousing success so far, a notion solidified by No. 15 Michigan's thrilling 40-34 win over Ohio State at the Big House. The victory was the Wolverines' first in The Game since 2003 and puts them in prime position to sneak into the BCS as an at-large admit.

That is, assuming the Maize and Blue creep up a spot or two into the top 14 in the BCS rankings. That may not happen just yet, but a loss by Georgia in the SEC Championship Game should be enough to get Michigan to where it needs to be by Selection Sunday.

Wisconsin

Michigan had already been eliminated from playing in the Big Ten Championship Game thanks to an earlier loss to Michigan State.

Wisconsin, on the other hand, did more than enough to earn its ticket to Indianapolis. The 16th-ranked Badgers embarrassed No. 19 Penn State at Camp Randall Stadium by a score of 45-7, knocking the Nittany Lions from their perch atop the Leaders Division while reminding pollsters and computers that Bret Bielema's boys are pretty darn good at football.

Now, 'Sconsin will have the opportunity to avenge it's heartbreaking loss in East Lansing to Michigan State while earning its second consecutive Rose Bowl berth for the first time in school history.

Virginia Tech

If anyone is to challenge the elite of the SEC West for a spot in the BCS title game, it may just be No. 5 Virginia Tech. Everyone seemed to forget about the Hokies after their 23-3 loss to Clemson on October 1st.

But all Frank Beamer's squad has done is win every game since, including a 38-0 throttling of a solid Virginia team in the Commonwealth Cup to claim the ACC Coastal Division.

Like the aforementioned Badgers against the Spartans, VA Tech will need to top the Tigers in an ACC title game rematch on Saturday to not only secure a spot in the BCS, but also challenge for a trip to New Orleans for the National Championship Game. A convincing bit of retribution against Clemson may be enough to get the Hokies there.