Michigan is number two. Should have been number one with the chances they had in Columbus, but penalties and underutilization of #20 cost us. Comparing schedules, margin of victory, whatever, gets you nowhere in this sport because there are few common demominators. The only thing that matters is that Michigan played to within 3 points of OSU at OSU, locking in the #2 spot. Thus, my beef with the BCS is that it was manipulated to get a new matchup in the title game. Where does human manipulation stop? This year it's one vs three; next it's Heisman hopeful vs Heisman hopeful, then who knows what the BCS will 'crown.' However, this mess sets up Michigan being number two perfectly if we win and the Gators get roundly trounced, which I expect they will.

The consolation prize is the Rose Bowl. Ol' Keith Jackson called it 'The Granddaddy of them all' and so it is. In the football tradition I grew up around, Michigan is meant to go to the Rose Bowl and face a Pac-10 powerhouse, and that's what we've got. So, while I'd love to play for the national title and still think we deserved a shot, I'm happy to head to Pasadena, put on some maize and blue and watch USC and Michigan duke it out. "We are SC!" vs "Go Blue!" "Fight On" vs "The Victors." This is old-school football, an old-school bowl game, and I'll take my lumps and get fired up to take in the spectacle and a heck of a football game. Since Keith Jackson won't be there to say it I will: Whooaaaaaaa Nelly!