Sugar Bowl 2012: Why the Virginia Tech-Michigan Matchup Isn't as Bad as it Looks

When the bowl schedule was released there were a few surprises, but none were as shocking as Virginia Tech and Michigan in the BCS Sugar Bowl.

Michigan only beat one ranked team all season long, and although they finished the season 10-2 they weren't that impressive. Virginia Tech went 11-2 but struggled against sub-par teams and got destroyed by Clemson twice in the year. Including a 28-point loss just last weekend in the ACC Championship Game.

You could make several arguments for other teams that deserve to be in this bowl. But after looking over everything, the matchup really isn't as bad as it seems.

Both of these teams score points and are ranked in the upper tier in average points per game. Michigan averages 34 points per contest and the Hokies drop 28 on average. Many fans complained about the LSU-Alabama game because of lack of points. That should not be a problem in this game.

You also have two great programs battling it out.

Virginia Tech has a great head coach in Frank Beamer who has done a fantastic job with the Hokies. They've reach several BCS bowls and have a great tradition of winning.

We all know who the Michigan Wolverines are as they are one of the most popular programs in the sport. They've won 73 percent of their games and the football team dates back to 1879.

But Michigan has struggled the last few years to get back on top of the college football world. In 2008 and 2009 they didn't even make a bowl game at all.

It's not only good for the fans of Michigan to see them successful it's also good for college football as a whole.

Star power is the reason these two teams are in the sugar bowl. Who doesn't want to see Denard Robinson running around and pulling off remarkable plays? Running back Fitzgerald Toussaint is building a name for himself as well the last couple of weeks rushing for over 120 yards in four of the last five games.

On Virginia Tech you have Logan Thomas who is also a fun quarterback to watch and is very effective when he gets a rhythm going. David Wilson has been a great running back for the Hokies this season rushing for over 1,600 yards on the year.

These two programs are here because they will sell tickets and you will watch regardless of how upset you are. Teams like Kansas State and boring teams like South Carolina won't sell tickets. And that would have just provided a worse matchup than this one.

So, maybe these aren't two of the most deserving teams in the country. But it does provide us with a decent matchup between between two great programs.

It could be a lot worse.

Randy Chambers is a B/R Featured Columnist that covers College Football and the NFL. You can contact him @Randy_Chambers or [e-mail]