More importantly, I also know in a few years from now, when Spartan players, coaches and fans look back on one of the best seasons in school history, all of what I just mentioned likely will mean absolutely nothing.

It stings now, there’s no doubt about it. After winning a school-record 11 games, beating one of the teams it shared the conference crown with and not playing the other co-champion, most logical people would agree MSU is just as deserving as Wisconsin or Ohio State for a trip to the Rose or Sugar Bowl.

Logic, though, is not something usually associated with the politics of college football.

There’s been a fair share of grumbling from fans since the Big Ten season ended two weeks ago and it was expected that the Spartans would be headed to Orlando, Fla., instead of Pasadena, Calif., or New Orleans. There are plenty of reasons why MSU should be headed to a BCS bowl instead of the Badgers or Buckeyes.

But if given the choice between watching the Spartans go 11-1 and win their first Big Ten title in 20 years, with moments like “Little Giants” and a third straight win against rival Michigan along the way, or finishing second in the conference and somehow sneaking into the Sugar Bowl, which would you choose? Maybe it’s just me, but I would assume the former is the overwhelming favorite.

When it comes down to it, Big Ten championship trophies are more important than any bowl game that isn’t the national championship. For players and coaches, successfully stringing together 12 weeks worth of football good enough to win a title in a conference as good as the Big Ten likely is more rewarding than competing in a game that really doesn’t affect anything Besides, it’s not like the Spartans are headed to Orlando to play some unranked team that no one has heard of before.

We’re talking about Alabama, which is a year removed from a national championship and began the year ranked as the No. 1 team in the country. The Crimson Tide has last year’s Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram. Despite dropping to No. 15 in the polls, Alabama still might be one of the most talented teams in the country.

MSU Athletics Director Mark Hollis said the Capital One matchup might be better than any BCS game.

If the on-the-field action doesn’t do it for you, the off-the-field story lines alone should keep things interesting as game day approached. Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban, who coached the Spartans for five seasons (1995-99), is coaching against his former team and former assistant, now-head coach Mark Dantonio, for the first time since leaving East Lansing.

While it’s expected the BCS snub is going to bother MSU fans, playing the Crimson Tide on New Year’s Day might be better.

And although a BCS bid would have been nice, the Big Ten championship sitting in the Skandalaris Football Center will be the only thing that matters years down the line.

Jeremy Warnemuende is a State News football reporter. Reach him at warnemu3@msu.edu