The Blowhard Bowl on WSJ.com

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122912757246703211.html

The eyes -- and ire -- of Texas were upon college football's Bowl Championship Series this week after the University of Texas Longhorns were denied a spot in next month's national title game. With the regular season over, the third-ranked Horns couldn't become champs without an act of Congress. But now that you mention it . . .

Joe Barton (R., Youknowwhere) and Michael McCaul (R., Noprizesforguessing), along with Illinois Democrat Bobby Rush, on Thursday announced legislation to essentially outlaw the BCS. Their bill would "prohibit the marketing, promotion, and advertising of a postseason game as a 'national championship' football game, unless it is the result of a playoff system." Any noncompliant games would be "treated as violations of the Federal Trade Commission Act as an unfair or deceptive act or practice."

Fans of the Florida Gators and Oklahoma Sooners (this year's title-game participants) might not agree that the current process is fraudulent. But forget about the merits; this is Congress we're talking about. With Texas and Texas Tech, Southern California, Penn State and Utah among this year's malcontents, the votes could add up quickly. And President-elect Obama is a self-professed playoff proponent.

As with the stalled auto bailout, however, Senators might want to debate the details. In typical Washington fashion, the Barton bill doesn't actually propose a new system for crowning a champion, just the elimination of the old one. Maybe more details will be forthcoming from Mr. Barton, who has been at this before. In December 2005 the Texan called a subcommittee hearing to grill BCS advocates, before deciding legislation wasn't needed. Back then the Texas Longhorns were preparing to play for the BCS trophy. He was less concerned after they won.