Originally Posted by
BigDofBA
Bowls have tie-ins to conferences. Example, the Cotton is the Big 12 #2 against the SEC.
In the case of the BCS, it's a bit screwy.
ACC Champion - Orange
SEC Champion - Sugar
Big 10 Champion - Rose
Pac 12 Champion - Rose
Big 12 Champion - Fiesta
After that it depends on if the conference champ is in the national title game. There are also at large spots.
In the case of the Orange Bowl, since they are hosting the championship game, they got the last pick of the at large teams. Thats why they got stuck with NIU.
You can google this to see all of the tie-ins.
Big 12 teams always goto the Fiesta, Cotton, Alamo, Holiday, etc.