BCS Bowl Projections: Would somebody please explain why Notre Dame is still here?

Ok, with USC’s loss to UCLA, USC goes to the Rose Bowl. While I should just wait until Sunday night, I need to at least take a stab at what that means.

Let’s look at the sure things:

Orange (ACC champ preferred): Wake vs. Louisville
Wake as ACC champ. Louisville secured Big East spot. Seems like a good game.

Fiesta (Big 12 champ):
Oklahoma as Big 12 Champ. vs. Boise.
Boise gets spot due to guaranteed spot for one team out of Conference USA, Mid-American, Mountain West, Sun Belt, or Western Athletic Conferences if ranked 12th or better.

Now things get tricky…

If Florida goes to the BCS…

Rose (Big 10 vs. Big 12 preferred):
USC vs. Michigan.
This would be a classic Rose Bowl game. No real complaints here and I would love to see Michigan destroy USC.

Sugar (SEC preferred):
LSU vs. Wisconsin or Notre Dame
Let’s face it, Notre Dame did not finish in their BCS securing 8th spot. Wisconsin has a better record and better ranking. They should go.

If Michigan goes to BCS:
Shouldn’t this stick the fork NDs hopes once and for all?

Rose:
USC vs. LSU
Nobody is still considering ND for the Rose in this scenario are they? Talk about a bad rematch–the same two teams in the same stadium.

Sugar:
Florida vs. Wisconsin/Notre Dame
Again, why can’t I write ND out of the picture here. They were blown out in the only games that could justify a tougher schedule. And the way I figure it, Wisconsin should move to #5/6 in Sunday’s poll. They are one of only three one-loss teams left.

Again I find myself faced with my Notre Dame frustration. Shouldn’t a one loss, #5/6 ranked team get the last at large spot over a team that shouldn’t even crack the top 10?

I guess all we can do now is wait.