Michigan State fans are upset, and they should be, by the prospect of Wisconsin getting the Rose
Bowl bid ahead of the Spartans. There is no way, in these situations, that a head-to-head meeting should not be the very first tiebreaker. It is just one of many maddening parts of the BCS. There remarkably little rational thinking involved with it.

Random Thoughts

- The Red Wings have so many good players that you see this constant shuffling with which one is carrying the hot hand. The last couple games, it has been Valtteri Filppula. For a couple weeks before he got banged up a bit, it was Daniel Cleary. The Red Wings success isn't just predicated by big guns like Henrik Zetterberg, Johan Franzen and Pavel Datsyuk. Their depth is remarkable.

- The key factor down the stretch in the NFC will be whether Atlanta is able to maintain home field advantage. The Falcons are beatable on the road. At home, it's a different story. I just don't see them losing. The schedule sets up well for the Falcons. Tampa Bay is the only quality team they must face on the road.
Wouldn't it be something if the Falcons hosted Michael Vick and the Eagles in a playoff game?

- Jiri Hudler is seeing regular time on the power play with Mike Modano injured. Maybe it will snap him out of it. He is a better player than he's displayed so far this season.