The SportsMonday column:Blue on the Bayou? A case to keep caring

David Den Herder

Recognizing a perfect day takes about five seconds. And it is the first five seconds, not the last, that are tell-tale.

Saturday in Ann Arbor was just such a day. The sky was free of any blemish and the air was so clear it seemed for a second like it wasn't there at all. The "M" flag atop the Union was so perfectly visible walking up State Street that it seemed almost fake - every shadow was perfectly sharp, every angle perfectly lucid.

It was so real, it was almost unreal.

Saturday was a perfect Autumn day. But that is not to say that 75 degrees and sunny with a nice breeze and a Corona doesn't also make a perfect day.

I think Americans mistakingly associate the word "perfect" with exclusivity.

Growing up a sports fanatic certainly doesn't help. After all, a dive only gets a "10" if it is perfect. And a perfect dive only looks one way.

"Perfect" has been ground into the mentality that there is one way to do something that is completely correct, and only then is it perfect.

I have grown to disagree.

No, Michigan's 2000 season is not perfect.

Neither was it perfect in 1999. But that didn't keep perfect days from occurring. In fact, it was just such a 75-and-sunny New Year's Day (and cool, muggy night), that was one for the books - for my books, anyway.

But enough. Why the melodrama? Saturday, probably for the first time in your life, you resorted to jumping and screaming for an Ohio State victory. (Even after buying that bumper sticker that says "My favorite two teams are Michigan and whoever's playing Ohio State!" How could you!) The interception was exciting, wasn't it? Yelled at the television, didn't you? And every one was no doubt silent when Purdue pulled it out.

Silent because Michigan's Rose Bowl hopes seemed all but dashed. If the Boilermakers win out, they get the well-earned trip to Pasadena.

And Michigan gets nothing. No national title game, no roses ... nothing but a week somewhere in central Florida. Which leaves you home for the holidays with no chance for a perfect New Year's afternoon under the sun.

No reason to be too excited the rest of the season. The Wolverines are likely headed for a shiny version of the Toilet Bowl, and there's nothing anybody can do.

Right?

Not necessarily. If Michigan wins the remainder of its games, it has a very real shot at a BCS bowl bid and taking home one of college football's annual jewels.

Let's break it down. The BCS is made up of four bowls: Orange, Rose, Sugar and Fiesta.

This year's Orange Bowl is No. 1 vs. No. 2., so scratch Orange. Now, Purdue has really yet to prove it can win in a hostile environment, which means a loss at Michigan State in two weeks is not out of the question (just when you thought cheering for Ohio State was the weirdest thing you ever did). But for now, assume Brees can handle the crumbling Spartans. Scratch Rose.

That leaves the Fiesta Bowl in Tempe, Ariz. and the Sugar Bowl - in New Orleans. (Is that a smile I see?)

In order to be eligible for either of these bowls, Michigan must finish in the BCS top 12. Win out and the Wolverines will finish there, because their schedule strength will push them ahead of other one-loss teams that might have finished higher. Clemson plays Florida State this week, which gives one of the teams two losses. Virginia Tech plays Miami (Fla.), which either gives Miami two losses or the Hokies one - both good for Michigan. Forget about Texas Christian and Southern Miss, since they have no marketing draw.

If Oregon wins out, the Ducks will be rated high, but will also represent the Pac-10 commitment to the Rose Bowl. Of course, scratch Purdue on account of the Rose Bowl, also.

Of Big 12ers Nebraska and Oklahoma, one will end up in the Orange and the other will be committed to the Fiesta. As for Florida, chalk the Gators up for the Sugar - the SEC's guaranteed bid.

The Orange usually saves a spot for an ACC team - but either Virginia Tech or Miami will probably be there anyway. Also, scratch Notre Dame, because independents must finish in the top six to be eligible.

That leaves two at-large openings - one in the Fiesta, one in the Sugar. There will be more than two teams to fill them, but if the Wolverines can keep winning, they just may find the perfect fit.

- David Den Herder can be reached at dden@umich.edu.