The burner is getting turned up just a little on Bill Hancock and the BCS with pro-playoff President Barack Obama looking into the playoff issue with the assistance of the Department of Justice:

The Obama administration is considering several steps that would review the legality of the controversial Bowl Championship Series, the Justice Department said in a letter Friday to a senator who had asked for an antitrust review.

In the letter to Sen. Orrin Hatch, obtained by The Associated Press, Assistant Attorney General Ronald Weich wrote that the Justice Department is reviewing Hatch’s request and other materials to determine whether to open an investigation into whether the BCS violates antitrust laws.

"Importantly, and in addition, the administration also is exploring other options that might be available to address concerns with the college football postseason," Weich wrote, including asking the Federal Trade Commission to review the legality of the BCS under consumer protection laws.

The Department of Justice is going to review a letter written by Utah Senator Orrin Hatch (R) and is stepping forward to challenge the BCS system:

"The Department of Justice is reviewing your letter as well as other materials to determine whether to open an investigation into the legality of the current system under the antitrust laws," wrote Assistant Attorney General Ronald Weich. "Importantly, and in addition, the administration also is exploring other options that might be available to address concerns with the college football post-season."

Some good words for anti-BCS folks who prefer a playoff over the current system that arbitrarily crowns a national title game.  The 'other materials' quote is being directed to Texas' Joe Barton College Football Playoff Act of 2009.  Even though DOJ is considering taking a look at the college football post season, this is all baby steps that could result in nothing.

Just look at how the government acts in certain aspects with getting resolutions or changes.  They are notoriously slow in getting things done, and if a bill was presented that said puppies are cute there would be opposition and naysayers on that.

Perhaps with just the threat of the Department of Justice getting involved could scare the BCS into making a change to the system.  However, BCS excecutive director Bill Hancock thinks this nothing more then a veiled threat:

"This letter is nothing new and if the Justice Department thought there was a case to be made, they likely would have made it already," BCS executive director Bill Hancock said in a released statement.

"There is much less to this letter than meets the eye. The White House knows that with all the serious issues facing the country, the last thing they should do is increase the deficit by spending money to investigate how the college football playoffs are played," the statement continued. "With all due respect to Senator Hatch, he is overstating this importance of the letter he received from the Office of Legislative Affairs."

Anti-trust or even perhaps going after the non-profit status the BCS and their bowl games have could be a bigger threat then Congress trying to force college football into a playoff. Either way this is

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Yes

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