Teams that benefit most from NIU's, OSU's losses

Daniel Uthman | USA TODAY Sports

With Northern Illinois' 47-27 loss Friday night in the Mid-American Conference Championship, this will be on the second year since 2007 – the year the Bowl Championship Series expanded to five bowls – that no team from a non-automatic qualifying conference will earn a BCS berth.

So who benefits in 2013, the final year of the BCS?

Northern Illinois entered the game unbeaten and sitting 14th in the BCS Standings. But the Huskies' loss Friday opens up an at-large berth for another team from an automatic qualifying conference.

In addition, Oklahoma State's 33-24 home loss to Oklahoma on Saturday not only shakes up the Big 12 title picture, but also the BCS selection pool.

Only teams ranked in the top 14 of the final BCS Standings are eligible for consideration for an at-large berth. Here are four teams from those leagues that could stand to benefit most (with current BCS standing):

No. 10 MICHIGAN STATE – Could the Spartans be headed to the BCS win or lose Saturday? Yes. The winner of the Big Ten Championship on Saturday in Indianapolis is headed to the BCS: Ohio State almost certainly to the national championship if it wins, Michigan State to the Rose if it wins. But even if Michigan State loses in the Big Ten Championship, it will only have two losses – to Ohio State and Notre Dame at that – and if it remains in the top 14 of the BCS Standings likely will go to the Rose Bowl.

No. 12 OREGON – The Ducks have virtually disappeared from the national conscious after November losses at Stanford and Arizona. The winner of Saturday's Pac-12 Championship in Tempe, Ariz., is headed to the Rose Bowl. But the loser of Saturday's Pac-12 Championship will have one more loss on its ledger than the Ducks. If what is statistically the strongest conference in FBS this season is to get two bids to the final BCS, Oregon is in the best shape to grab the second.

No. 13 CLEMSON – The Tigers would be in great shape for an Orange Bowl bid if heavily favored Florida State beats Duke for the ACC championship today and earns a spot in the BCS National Championship Game. If Florida State falls, Clemson would still be considered for an at-large berth, but its competition would be Florida State.

No. 17 OKLAHOMA – The Sooners lurked at No. 17 in the BCS Standings entering the weekend. With NIU's loss, its own win against Oklahoma State, and other higher-ranked teams sure to fall Saturday, Oklahoma could rise into the top 14. That will get it qualified for a strong look from the Sugar Bowl. The winner of the de facto Big 12 championship game, Baylor or Texas, will get the Big 12's automatic BCS berth.