Bowl Projections 2012: Fiesta Bowl Will Be Consolation Prize to BCS Goliaths

The life of a top college football program is just as much about settling for a lesser prize as it is proving your worth. Oklahoma State and Stanford will do both at this season's Fiesta Bowl. 

Both of these squads would love a crack at the BCS title. The fact is, whatever chance they had, they blew with losses that destroyed all that hope. 

All is not lost as they are the likely teams I am confident will be featured in the prestigious Fiesta Bowl. Without a playoff system, you get what you can and hope your effort is lauded by fans and supporters of this great sport. 

First, let's discuss the wild shuffle that could occur if voters are forced to change their minds. It is all but certain that LSU will dispatch of Georgia. There should be no worries there as the Tigers have all but sewn up the BCS title bid. 

However, Oklahoma State still has life yet to nab the second seat at the all-important table. That comes in their game against Oklahoma this week. If the No. 3 Cowboys destroy the No. 9 Sooners, the voters may play God with their votes this upcoming week. 

We all know what we get with an LSU-Alabama game. It is a very possible situation that voters would rather see Oklahoma State as far as their say is concerned with the BCS equation. 

I just don't see how that could happen when Alabama has been anointed as the obvious second-best team in the nation. That's why I see the Cowboys getting the shaft as they stay at No. 3 nest week, barring a win of course.

That leaves the Fiesta Bowl to come calling Stanford's way as another BCS giant that would be a great and entertaining team to have in this bowl game. 

This is of course speculation, but the likely foes for Fiesta time are Stanford and Oklahoma State. Two phenomenal offenses doing battle? That sounds like something I may be interested in watching.