2011 Bowl Projections: Michigan and Other Potential at-Large Teams

Usain Bolt couldn't win a marathon. 

A college football season is a marathon, though. It isn’t your explosion out of the starting blocks that matters the most, but how you finish through the line. 

While teams like Oklahoma, Florida State and Nebraska have the sprinter speed and the talent worthy of being ranked in the Top 10, they didn’t possess the endurance nor the ability to execute to finish the regular season on a strong note.

The following teams' rollercoaster ride of a year continues to rise. Here are three streaking potential BCS at-large bids:

3. Michigan

Denard Robinson and company have won three straight games, including a 45-17 thrashing of the Cornhuskers.

The Wolverines are a favorite to receive an at-large bid to a BCS bowl and for good reason; they are currently ranked No. 12 in the latest coaches poll, and the ratings boost a bowl game would receive from Michigan's explosive quarterback is invaluable.

2. Kansas State

The Wildcats are riding into the postseason on a three-game winning streak as well. 

While they haven’t been as flashy as Michigan in their victories, Kansas State is still getting the job done and is ranked No. 10 in the nation because of that. Their only losses came to Oklahoma and Oklahoma State, while their win over Baylor continues to look more and more impressive.

And on that note…

1. Baylor

Baylor found themselves at No. 17 in last week's BCS rankings. The Bears may have put together a performance worthy of at least a No. 14 ranking, after their de-horning of Texas in a 48-24 massacre. 

If they do rise three spots, it would be impossible for a bowl to pass on Robert Griffin III's crew.

Their five-game winning streak includes upsetting then-No. 5-ranked Oklahoma and dropping 66 points on Texas Tech. Baylor’s sixth-ranked scoring attack is too entertaining to be ignored.

David Daniels is a featured columnist at Bleacher Report and a syndicated writer. Follow him on Twitter.