Bowl Championship Series Investigation: Is It Legal?

I know most college football fan are going to think this is ridiculous, even if you are against the BCS.

From an article posted on ESPN.com by the Associated Press: 

The state of Utah Attorney General Mark Shurtleff has met with Justice Department Officials to discuss the legality of the BCS.

Do you smell irony? The Utah Attorney General being involved in a BCS investigation, while the university's football program is once again unbeaten. Yep that's irony.

As of now, it seems the main focus is on antitrust law violations.

Mr. Shurtleff has stated that, "Department officials have clearly done 'their homework' on the issue."

Although it is not set-in-stone, the department did say a review of the BCS is being considered by the Obama administration.

In addition to Utah, Boise State and TCU have also posted undefeated records. So don't be surprised if officials from either of those schools try to get involved as well.

Now time for the million-dollar question...

Is the BCS legal?

Yes. Yes it is. However, its flaws are being exploited thanks to Utah, TCU and Boise State. 

My question is why Mr. Shurtleff and the Justice Department are considering antitrust law violations?

Those laws are in existence to prevent monopolies in business, not hazy computer rankings. 

And I know the BCS bowl games bring in millions of dollars to the NCAA and the participating schools, but what or who is being monopolized? 

It would be a different story if the BCS never allowed any non-BCS conference school to qualify for the BCS.

The problem I think, is that they are implying the fact that there are conferences called "non-BCS conferences."

But, if the Justice Department Officials said that, then they would most likely be asked, "Why did you wait until now to do this investigation? You know the BCS was established back in 1998 right?

Regardless of what happens, maybe this will be the spark that ignites the NCAA into creating a playoff system for the FBS.