2011 Bowl Games: Boise State and Teams That Were Misplaced

With the release of the 2011-2012 bowl games, the BCS has once again shown that it is all about money. It is unfortunate that filling seats and making money is more important than picking the right games, but that’s just the way it is. The BCS has messed up yet again, and there is nothing that anyone can do about it. All we can hope for in the future is that a playoff system is finally implemented, but until that day comes, let the controversy continue.

The following teams have been placed in the wrong bowl game.

Virginia Tech

Virginia Tech proved they did not deserve a BCS bid after losing, 38-10, to Clemson in the ACC Championship game. Not only was this the second time the Hokies lost to Clemson, but each defeat came by 20 points or more.

It’s not like Virginia Tech had any strong wins on the season, either. The Hokies played only one team ranked in the final BCS top 25, and that opponent was Clemson.

While the BCS made some poor selections, their biggest mistake was putting Virginia Tech in the Sugar Bowl.

Arkansas Razorbacks

The Arkansas Razorbacks were snubbed of a BCS at-large bid because of a technicality.

Under the current rule, a conference is only allowed two teams in BCS bowls, and that includes the National Championship. I understand if Arkansas is not eligible for an at-large bid, but that just adds to why the system is so flawed. The only thing that should matter is whether or not a team deserves to play in a BCS bowl game, and Arkansas was more than deserving.

After a 10-win season, the Razorbacks finished sixth in the final BCS top 25. The biggest kicker is that their only two losses on the year came against both teams who will be playing in the BCS National Championship. You can easily make a case that the Razorbacks are the third best team in the country. Rules or no rules, arguably the third-best team in the country should earn a BCS bowl bid.

Michigan Wolverines

Quite frankly, I do not understand how Michigan deserved a BCS at-large bid.

The Wolverines are a prime example of a team selected based off ticket sales and TV ratings. It also doesn’t hurt having one of the most entertaining players to watch in the entire country in Denard Robinson.

However, there were a number of teams more deserving of a BCS at-large bid than Michigan. I am not saying the Wolverines didn’t have an excellent season. Ten wins is still a tremendous accomplishment, but only one of those wins came against a team ranked in the final BCS top 25. Not to mention the Wolverines spent the Big Ten Championship at home instead of participating in it.

I understand wanting to have two Big Ten teams play in BCS games, but that second team should have been Michigan State. I guess it doesn’t matter that Michigan State beat the Wolverines by two touchdowns. It also doesn’t matter that the Spartans had to play Wisconsin twice, when Michigan didn’t even play them once.

In fact, winning the division and only losing the Big Ten Championship by three points ended up hurting the Spartans chances of a BCS bid.

Will someone please tell me how that makes sense? If Michigan State did not deserve a BCS at-large bid, then the Wolverines sure as hell did not either. 

Boise State Broncos

Until Boise State is in a major conference, the team will never get the respect it deserves. It’s a shame that one loss by one point to a ranked opponent is the reason why the Broncos are playing in the MAACO Bowl and not the Sugar Bowl. Boise State finished the season ranked in the top 10, and unlike Virginia Tech, the Broncos have that significant win against a top-25 team.

It is unfortunate that Kellen Moore’s prolific college career will end with his Broncos being snubbed yet again. 

Kansas State Wildcats

Bill Snyder and the Kansas State Wildcats were one of the nicest stories of the year. Too bad for the Wildcats; this story does not have a happy ending. Just like Arkansas, K-state was another team who ended the regular season 10-2 and finished top 10 in the BCS standings.

The Wildcats also have top-25 wins over Baylor and Texas. Kansas State had a much better resume than teams like Michigan and Virginia Tech, but unfortunately, making money is the No. 1 priority.