Michigan State athletics director Mark Hollis still expects to accept a bowl invitation this weekend despite the recent dismissals and suspensions that could leave the Spartans football team without 10 players, and possibly more.

The Spartans dismissed two players and suspended eight others in the wake of a Nov. 22 fight at a residence hall. Michigan State police have identified 10 suspects -- the school isn't calling the players suspects, only confirming they were present during the fight -- and still are trying to identify five more.

Among those keeping close tabs on the situation is Derrick Fox, the president and CEO of the Valero Alamo Bowl. If the Big Ten sends two teams to BCS bowl, as many expect, the Alamo Bowl would decide whether to select Michigan State or Minnesota for its Jan. 2 game. The team not selected would go to the Insight Bowl, which picks after Alamo.

Michigan State informed Fox of the situation Tuesday, and Fox expected to talk with Hollis at some point on Wednesday.

"There's an investigation going on, so there's only so much we're really privy to," Fox told ESPN.com on Wednesday. "But from the standpoint of being aware of the situation as best we can, that's all we can ask. You have to give [Michigan State] credit for taking action and being as proactive as they have been so far, and we'll see where it goes from there."

The investigation likely will conclude after the bowl selections are made, but Fox wants to get an accurate sense of the impact it could have on Michigan State for a postseason game.

"It's something you certainly factor in," Fox said. "It's really just a matter of trying to find out, 'Is 10 [players] the max? Will 10 actually become six? Will some get reinstated, or will this become 40?' Because then, obviously, it can make an impact on the overall thing."