NOW the BCS is released, and Michigan indeed stays #2.
http://msn.foxsports.com/cfb/poll?poll=BCS
PM_Mama: The BCS was created to ensure #1 and #2 always play each other in a National Championship game. Otherwise, each Bowl is free to and does pair up with selected conferences, and that conference is then guaranteed a spot in that bowl each year if they have enough eligible teams.
Before the BCS in 1997 Nebraska and Michigan had undefeated seasons and because of the bowl tie-ins, it led to no true national championship game and Nebraska winning the AP Poll, and hence, the really big trophy. Under the BCS, you would of been guaranteed a Nebraska/Michigan NC game.