Today, Texas Republican Joe Barton's anti-BCS bill H.R. 390 -- which calls to bar the BCS from claiming it is providing a national championship game that is not decided by using a single elimination tournament -- surprised many and passed nearly unamious in a subcommittee vote:

WASHINGTON – A House subcommittee approved legislation Wednesday aimed at forcing college football to switch to a playoff system to determine a national champion, over the objections of some lawmakers who said Congress had more pressing matters on its plate.

The bill, which faces long odds of becoming law, would ban the promotion of a postseason NCAA Division I football game as a national championship unless that title contest is the result of a playoff. The measure passed by voice vote in a House Energy and Commerce Committee subcommittee, with one audible "no," from Rep. John Barrow, D-Ga.

John Barrow feels that this crusade to end the BCS and bring on a playoff that 95% of the public wants voted against the bill because of spite, since he feels the government should be worrying about 'real' problems.  Geez, that is what I want if I were being represented by Mr. Barrow a spite vote real mature.

Executive Director of the BCS Bill Hancock had this to say prior to the vote:

"With all the serious matters facing our country, surely Congress has more important issues than spending taxpayer money to dictate how college football is played."

Then subcommittee chairman, Rep. Bobby Rush, an Illinois Democrat who co-sponsored the bill, said,

"We can walk and chew gum at the same time."

ZING!!

This is just the first of a long series of votes that must wind its way through the House and Senate which has not happened, but Utah's Orrin Hatch has pressed for a Justice Department antitrust investigation into the BCS; so look for this to creeping forward.  Since this passed through the House Energy and Commerce subcommittee it now goes to the full committee where it would be examined to determine if it is worth taking to the House floor.  Then it would go through the Senate to make amendments before a vote happens there.

Voting this week was great timing since the BCS has screwed Boise State and TCU from proving themselves from the automatic qualifying leagues -- strike while the iron is hot.  I really do not care how this gets done, but as long as it gets done with the BCS being disbanded and the old system is not brought back to replace the BCS cartel.  Just get something in front of President Barack Obama who is a playoff fan and get this signed.