2011 Bowl Projections: Oklahoma State and Teams That Won't Be Happy Tonight

The BCS is a cruel mistress. As many as 10 schools probably feel they have a chance at BCS at-large bids, but most will be disappointed. 

Until a playoff system is established, there's no way everyone will be happy. But that's another argument for a different time. 

It's unfortunate, but some teams, in some way, will feel cheated after the bowls are announced tonight.

Here's a look at three likely culprits. 

Oklahoma State Cowboys

I think, at this point, every person in the nation believes the Cowboys deserve a spot in the national championship. That is, every person besides SEC fans and computers.

In the most recent coaches poll, Alabama was still ahead of Oklahoma State. It's certainly not a death sentence for the Cowboys, but that isn't good news. 

Oklahoma State could still jump Alabama and play for the national championship, but if history is any indicator, that's unlikely to happen. Whether or not they deserve one, it appears the Crimson Tide will get a rematch with LSU in the national championship.

Granted, the Cowboys will still get a BCS bid with the Fiesta Bowl, but with everything that's happened in the last couple of days, that will be a disappointment. 

TCU Horned Frogs

In order for TCU, the MWC champion, to get an automatic BCS bid, they have to finish in the Top 16 and ahead of a BCS conference champion.

They will likely finish ahead of No. 23 West Virginia, the Big East champion, but it's hard to believe they jump into the Top 16.

The Horned Frogs are currently No. 18, so it wouldn't take a huge jump, but Baylor, Michigan and Wisconsin are all directly in front of them. 

None of those teams will be moving down.

Georgia and Michigan State are next, and TCU would have to jump both of those schools. It's possible, but unlikely. 

TCU will fall just short of a BCS bowl, and that will leave Horned Frogs fans disappointed considering their team's recent terrific play.

Boise State Broncos

The Broncos would have an automatic BCS bid locked up if they would have won the MWC. Still though, at No. 7, an at-large bid isn't out of the question.

When the new BCS rankings are announced tonight, it wouldn't be surprising to see Boise State jump to No. 5, and that puts them in line for the second at-large spot.

It will all be for naught, however. I can easily see a team like Michigan or Kansas State passing up the Broncos for an at-large.

This one is up to the committees, and it's hard to see Boise State getting enough respect—whether or not it's deserved.