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Yes, if you click on the link there is an explanantion. #1 and #2 play for the title regardless. Each of the six major conferences (ACC, Big East, Big 10, Big 12, Pac 10, SEC) have their champions go to one of the four BCS bowls. Then there are two at large bids that can't both be from the same conference and must have nine Division I victories.

So far, Miami, Illinois, Oregon and Maryland have guaranteed spots. The SEC and Big 12 will have championship games to determine their champion. Florida, Tennessee, Auburn, LSU, Texas and Colorado are still alive for these spots.

Nebraska, Oklahoma, BYU and Stanford (if they win Saturday)can qualify for at large bids. Florida, Tennessee, Texas and Colorado can also make it as an at large if they don't win the conference title.

As for which bowl they will go to, #1 and #2 will go to the Rose Bowl. The Orange Bowl is tied to the ACC (Maryland), The Sugar Bowl is tied to the SEC. The Fiesta Bowl is tied to the Big 12. The Rose Bowl is normally tied to the Pac 10 and Big 10. The Fiesta Bowl would like to take the Rose Bowl's Pac 10 vs Big 10 matchup if possible.

Yes, the FIGHTING ILLINI did clinch the BCS bowl birth by winning the Big Ten outright. Of course it is just our luck that the year we win the Big Ten, WE CAN'T GO TO THE ROSE BOWL!!! What a bunch of crap, poop, crap!

Also, any Big Ten historians out there? When was the last time a school won the conference in basketball and football?

FIGHTING ILLINI-Big Ten Champions - Basketball & Football - 2001

Bill in Morton, IL