The Big Ten Championship Game er... I mean the Rose Bowl.

Now how is this for a great BCS scenario:

1. Oklahoma, Auburn, and Utah lose at some point
2. Michigan and Wisconsin win out.
3. Cal remains ahead of the other one loss teams in BCS rankings(they're currently #4 ahead of undefeated Wisconsin)

Then you would be looking at a scenario where USC would meet Cal in the Orange Bowl for the National Championship. The Big XII champ would be in the Fiesta bowl, probably against the Big East champ. The SEC champ would probably be playing the ACC champ in the Sugar Bowl. That would leave Wisconsin to face an at large team in the Rose Bowl.

Now of the candidates for at large teams that Wisconsin could face, you'd have Texas or Oklahoma (one would probably be conf. champ), Auburn or Tennessee or Georgia (depending on how things shake out in the SEC), Miami, and Michigan. Of those teams, what would be the most compelling opponent for Wisconsin? I know I'm biased, but I think the chance to have these two teams match up would be spectacular.

Unfortunately, there are a bunch of reasons why this probably won't happen. First, a lot of chips have to fall the right way to set up the scenario in the first place. Second, would the Rose Bowl take two teams from the same conference? I know that they love Michigan and that the Wolverine alumni travel well. But it would be an unconventional move. Also, given the lack of strength in the Big Ten this year, it would be hard to justify an at large spot to a weak conference, when there are probably more deserving teams in the other conferences (specifically SEC and Big XII). Also, Michigan is currently 11 in the BCS. You have to be in the top 12 to be considered. The computers don't love Michigan because of the weak schedule, and it's possible that they could continue to win, and still drop in the computers without a big game left. (So pull for ND to beat Tenn Michigan fans.)
... 7:02 AM | Talkback []