MACtion Makes the BCS as Northern Illinois to Play Florida State in Orange Bowl

The final BCS standings of the season were released tonight as the selections for the upcoming BCS bowls were announced. As expected, #1 Notre Dame will play against #2 Alabama for the BCS National Championship.

The surprise of the season is Northern Illinois making the BCS. Northern Illinois got in by virtue of the new criteria for a team from a non-Automatic Qualifier conference to earn a BCS At-large bid. Northern Illinois won their conference title, by beating Kent State for the MAC Conference Championship on Friday. Also, their BCS ranking was #15, one higher than the #16 ranking required by the new rules. Northern Illinois will play Florida State in the Orange Bowl. Florida State got into the BCS after beating Georgia Tech for the ACC Conference Championship.

Other BCS games include Stanford playing Wisconsin in the Rose Bowl, Kansas State playing Oregon in the Fiesta Bowl and Louisville playing Florida in the Sugar Bowl.