2011 Bowl Games: Michigan State and More Underrated Teams Deserving a BCS Game

To the majority of teams across the nation, the season is in the books. To some of the better teams in college football, the season is still alive and the excitement has only just gotten underway.

With the BCS Bowl Selection just hours away, teams that are predicted to be on the outside looking in are hoping to be given consideration for a bowl game.

Michigan State, a No. 13 seed that finished the season with a loss to the Wisconsin Badgers in the Big Ten Championship game, is one of those teams

Here are Michigan State and the three more underrated teams who could find themselves not playing in a BCS bowl game, when it's clear they deserve one.

No. 13 Michigan State Spartans (10-3)

The Michigan State Spartans have proven all season long they are one of the premier teams in the nation.

Despite losing to the Wisconsin Badgers in the Big Ten Championship game, the Spartans are as complete a team as there is in the nation. The team boasts arguably one of the top defenses in college football, ranking No. 9 overall, while allowing just 17.5 points per game.

Offensively, the team has produced as well, ranking No. 39 in the country with just over 30 points per game. They have yet to score less than 31 points in a game in their last five outings. The big reason for the offensive improvements: quarterback Kirk Cousins.

Cousins has not thrown for less than two touchdowns in his last five outings, while throwing for three touchdowns in three of the five games.

With a win against the Wisconsin Badgers earlier in the year and quality wins over Michigan and Ohio State this season, there is no question these Spartans should be competing in a BCS bowl game.

No. 17 Baylor Bears (9-3)

The Baylor Bears have been on a tear as of late, winning their last five games. As a result, they are in contention for playing in a BCS bowl game.

As only the top 14 are eligible for a BCS bowl game, the Bears can only hope a big win over No. 22 Texas is enough to sneak the team in.

The 44-28 win over Texas was arguably the best game the team had played all season. The play of Robert Griffin III has been a significant reason why this team has been able to improve each game.

On the season, Griffin has posted a total of 43 touchdowns and has thrown for nearly 4,000 yards. Talk about some numbers.

There is no question that these Bears are deserving of some consideration for a BCS bowl game, make no mistake about it.

No. 10 Oklahoma Sooners (9-3)

A blowout loss to the Oklahoma State Cowboys should not have the Sooners out of a BCS bowl game, as they have been a consistent Top-Five threat for most of this season.

The Sooners have wins over Florida State, Texas and Kansas State, and they are easily one of the more dynamic offenses in the nation.

What makes the Sooners have such a dynamic offense without question has to be the play of quarterback Landry Jones, who leads the fourth-best passing offense in the nation with over 365 yards per game. Jones has thrown for over 4,300 yards on the year to go along with 24 touchdowns through the air.

Not to mention the team features a two-headed monster at the running back position, with Dominique Whaley and Roy Finch combining for over 1,200 yards on the ground.

With two losses in their last three games, they are easily the team that could be on their way out of the Top 14 and at a chance at a BCS bowl game. Yet, top to bottom, this is one of the more talented teams there are in college football. The Sooners should be given a chance to redeem themselves one last time and play in a BCS bowl game.