BCS Rankings Week 14: What Can Big Ten Do to Avoid Further Embarrassment?

The latest BCS rankings showed Michigan dropping in the standings, hurting the chances at a BCS bowl bid for the most popular team in the Big Ten.

Michigan fans were ecstatic after defeating its rival Ohio State for the first time since 2003. They figured that the win would be enough for No. 15 Michigan to move up one spot to the top 14, which is what is needed to qualify for an at-large bid to the BCS.

Unfortunately, the Wolverines dropped a spot and are currently on the outside looking in for the selection process. Michigan is not only hurt by this, but the entire Big Ten is as well.

The conference has been disrespected for a number of years.

This started in 2006, when Ohio State and Michigan were competing as the top two teams in the country. After Ohio State narrowly defeated the Wolverines 42-39, many people in the sports world were calling for a rematch in the National Championship Game.

The voters decided that Florida was more deserving, and the Gators proved it by dominating the Buckeyes 41-14. Michigan was also defeated in the Rose Bowl by USC. The Big Ten was considered wildly overrated. 

A year later, Ohio State was given another chance, but once again lost in the title game to an SEC team, this time to LSU.

Few teams from the Big Ten have even been considered elite since.

This year there are no teams in the BCS Top 10, as Michigan State is the highest at No. 13. It is unlikely that a loss by the Spartans in the Big Ten Championship Game will keep them high enough to gain an at-large bid.

Michigan remains the conference's only hope for a second bid.

If Michigan State defeats No. 15 Wisconsin and LSU defeats No. 14 Georgia in the SEC Championship Game, Michigan will most likely rise two spots in the polls by default.

That might be all it needs, as the Wolverines will be a very attractive candidate to fill a vacant BCS Bowl, thanks to its history, prestige and large fan base.

Two conference teams filling up part of the 10 total BCS spots is a very big step in the right direction for the Big Ten. The conference needs to regain credibility, and playing in high-profile games will get it there.

The added Big Ten Championship Game will also help teams who are close to the National Championship, but need that added game to get respect from voters. In the past, quality teams were forgotten about by the time the last polls came around.

Finally, there need to be more teams making the front page news for positive reasons in the future.

The members of the conference need to continue in the direction of Michigan, Wisconsin and Michigan State, and not in the direction of Ohio State and Penn State.

Even if there is talent on the field, no one wants to see either of these programs playing in a high-profile game.

College football needs historical programs performing well, and the Big Ten is full of these types of schools. 

Now they just need to stay in the win column.