BCS being investigated by the Justice Department?

Washington, DC (Sports Network) - The U.S. Department of Justice, prompted by a letter from Utah senator Orrin Hatch, is considering whether to open an investigation into the legality of the Bowl Championship Series.

Hatch wrote a letter to President Barack Obama back in October, asking the Department of Justice to look into the BCS, as he believed a case can be made that it is in violation of antitrust laws.

On Friday, the Justice Department sent a four-page letter to Hatch, saying it is reviewing the senator's letter and other materials to determine whether it will open an investigation.

The letter also said the Obama administration is looking into other options "that might be available to address concerns with the college football post- season."

One of those options is that the administration ask the Federal Trade Commission to "examine the legality of the current system under consumer protection laws." Other options include encouraging the NCAA to take control of the football postseason, asking for a study on the feasibility of the playoff system, legislation and looking into whether other agencies could play a role in reform.

Obama has stated in the past that he is in favor of a playoff system, and Hatch sent his letter after his home state Utah Utes did not get a chance to play in the BCS National Championship game following the 2008 season, when they went undefeated.

Hatch's letter also followed a few congressional hearings that summer and detailed his case that schools in the BCS conferences - the ACC, SEC, Big East, Big 12, Big 10, and Pac-10 -- have built-in competitive and monetary advantages.

Most notably, the six BCS conferences have automatic bids to the BCS bowls, while they also each receive more revenue from the BCS than the other five Football Bowl Subdivision conferences -- the Sun Belt, WAC, MAC, Conference USA, and the Mountain West -- do combined.

"I'm encouraged by the Administration's response," Hatch said. "I continue to believe there are antitrust issues the Administration should explore, but I'm heartened by its willingness to consider alternative approaches to confront the tremendous inequities in the BCS that favor one set of schools over others. The current system runs counter to basic fairness that every family tries to instill in their children from the day they are born."

This past season, five teams were undefeated going into bowl season, but Boise State, TCU and Cincinnati were left out of the title game, which Alabama won over Texas.