Bowl Predictions 2012: Georgia and More Teams That Can Still Earn BCS Bid

Conference championship games are a chance for teams outside the top 10 to earn a BCS bid. These squads won't show up on most bowl projections because they are underdogs heading into their respective games. That said, if they pull off the upset, they'll crash the BCS party.

No. 13 Michigan State Spartans

Michigan State faces Wisconsin in the Big Ten championship game. The Spartans won an earlier meeting on a Hail Mary pass from Kirk Cousins to Keith Nichol. Luck will need to be on their side again if they're going to duplicate that result.

The Spartans' defense ranks sixth in points allowed, but hasn't been as stout whenever it faces elite competition. Le'Veon Bell and Edwin Baker will need to do a good job of controlling the clock, allowing Cousins to pull off some late-game heroics.

No. 14 Georgia Bulldogs

Georgia faces a tall task to reach a BCS game as it faces undefeated LSU. After losing their first two games against Boise State and South Carolina, the Bulldogs have racked up 10 straight wins, including two against ranked teams in the last three weeks.

The development of Aaron Murray along with the immediate contributions from Isaiah Crowell have allowed Georgia to stay afloat. The Bulldogs haven't faced a test like the Tigers, but if their defense can force some timely turnovers, anything is possible.

No. 20 Clemson Tigers

Following a red-hot start that featured three wins over ranked foes en route to an 8-0 record, Clemson's season has begun to spiral downward. The Tigers have lost three of their past four games, including back-to-back routs at the hands of N.C. State and South Carolina.

Yet, a win over Virginia Tech next weekend can make all those problems disappear. Tajh Boyd's struggles have been the biggest reason for Clemson's struggles. If he can return to his dynamic, playmaking self, the Tigers will sweep the Hokies and head to the Orange Bowl.