Going into the Michigan-Ohio State game, the general consensus was that the Wolverines would essentially lock up a spot in the BCS with a win. On Saturday, Michigan beat Ohio State, 40-34, and the thinking is still that the Wolverines are headed to a BCS bowl. Nothing is official just yet, though, and some things still need to go the Wolverines' way during conference championship weekend for them to even be eligible for a BCS game.
To be selected as an at-large team, it is necessary to be in the top 14 of the final BCS standings, which will be released next Sunday. This week, the BCS standings projections have Michigan 16th, right behind Michigan State and Wisconsin.
Week 14 BCS Standings projections:
1. LSU, 2. Alabama, 3. Oklahoma State, 4. Virginia Tech, 5. Stanford, 6. Boise State, 7. Houston, 8. Arkansas, 9. Oklahoma, 10. Oregon, 11. Kansas State, 12. South Carolina, 13. Georgia, 14. Michigan State, 15. Wisconsin, 16. Michigan, 17. Baylor, 18. TCU.
Since Michigan State and Wisconsin are set to play in the Big Ten Championship Game, Michigan should move up at least one spot (ahead of the loser of that game). Michigan could break into the top 14 if Georgia loses to LSU in the SEC Championship Game. If something were to happen where Georgia upset LSU and gave the SEC three teams in the BCS (LSU and Alabama would likely meet in the BCS title game), then the Wolverines' BCS hopes could be in some trouble.
When all is said and done, chances are Michigan will be a top-14 team and end up in a BCS bowl, but the final week of the college football season needs to play out before things become official.