The Obama administration is considering several steps that would review the legality of the BCS, 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, Assistant Attorney General Ronald Weich wrote that the Justice Department is reviewing the senator's request and other materials to determine whether to open an investigation into whether the BCS violates antitrust laws.

Several lawmakers and many critics want the BCS to switch to a playoff system.

Shortly after he was elected in November 2008, Barack Obama said he would "throw my weight around a little bit" regarding college football's lack of playoff system.

Currently, the BCS stages a national title game between the two teams that finish atop a compilation of polls, while other arguably deserving teams often get excluded.

In the letter, Weich wrote, "The administration shares your belief that the current lack of a college football national championship playoff with respect to the highest division of college football, raises important questions affecting millions of fans, colleges and universities, players and other interested parties."

Weich noted that several undefeated teams have not had a chance to play for the national championship, including TCU and Boise State this year and Utah last year.

Under the BCS, the champions of six conference have automatic bids to play in top-tier bowl games, while the other conferences don't. Those six conferences also receive more money than the other conferences.