That of course despite a Minnesota win over MSU back in late October

Otherwise, it's fairly certain but not guaranteed that they will trump Boise State or a second Big East team BCS No. 12 Oklahoma State (9-2)They still have a huge rivalry game at Oklahoma this weekend that will determine their bowl fate. Win, and they're eligible for an at-large spot and will almost definitely get one if Texas wins the Big XII, with the Fiesta Bowl being the destination (the Fiesta Bowl's Big XII affiliation means they would like to take a Big XII team with their at-large selection in place of Texas).They likely have the clearest path to a berth, although their relatively small and regional fanbase may make the bowl committee think twice BCS No 6 Boise State (11-0)Win vs Nevada (8-3) and vs. New Mexico State (3-8) and hope that the BCS bowls are willing to take a school with a relatively smaller fanbase that has a better overall record.

They also need all the help they can get, which means an Oklahoma State loss to Oklahoma this week, Texas taking care of business against Nebraska in the Big XII championship, and Cincinnati beating Pittsburgh.Most likely destination is the Fiesta Bowl if they can win the hearts and minds of the bowl committee. Potential BCS spoilers, listed in descending order for the spoiled team most likely to still get into the BCS (i.e. Texas is the most likely to get an at-large berth if it loses its championship game): Nebraska (8-3)Have locked up the Big XII North even with a game at Colorado remaining. If they upset the Yellow Jackets, it will present another interesting decision for the BCS bowls assuming Tech beats Georgia this week, as they would likely remain in BCS at-large contention but don't have the national appeal to guarantee an at-large berth.In that case, put them in the same category as Oklahoma State, and it's all up to the politics from there BCS No. 9 Pittsburgh (9-1)Pitt has two remaining games: a dangerous rivalry game at West Virginia and a winner-take-all de facto Big East championship vs BCS No. 5 Cincinnati (10-0) following that. Assuming Cincy beats Illinois this week, a Pitt win would give them the automatic berth, and Cincinnati would be in a tough spot: holding a solid record but hoping that a BCS bowl picks them despite their small non-national fanbase. Big Ten Bowl Impact and Northwestern's Destination So, once all that BCS mess is sorted out, back to the Big Ten-affiliated bowl games. Assuming Iowa or Penn State gets picked for a BCS game, the other team will definitely be slotted into the Capital One Bowl.

If the BCS leaves them both out, then they will go to the Capital One and Outback Bowls (again, the order is up to politics). If the conference does not get an at-large BCS bid, it would leave the Champs Sports to choose between UW and NU, but this decision may actually go NU's way. Wisconsin has been to an Orlando bowl game in three of the last four years, including a trip to the Champs Sports last season that was rumored to have fewer Badger fans in attendance than what was hoped.The Tribune recently reported that this situation would indeed tip in the 'Cats' favor, with the Champs Sports taking the recent trips into account and likely picking NU. Other Big Ten Bowls Not that anyone cares, but Michigan State and Minnesota are also bowl eligible and will have to go somewhere. Whether the conference gets two teams in the BCS or not, expect Michigan State to be selected ahead of Minnesota due to its fanbase that has historically traveled better.

That, of course, despite a Minnesota win over MSU back in late October. If Iowa or PSU gets into a BCS game, MSU will likely head to the Alamo, where they last went in 2003. That will leave Minnesota to head back to the Insight Bowl, a place they've been two of the last three seasons. Note that Minnesota has never played in the Alamo Bowl, but that likely won't matter much either. If everyone has been bumped down a spot and Wisconsin or NU landed in the Alamo, MSU will without a doubt head to the Insight (which doesn't want to host Minnesota in three of four seasons), while Minnesota will drop to the not-so-coveted Pizza Bowl in Detroit.