It's halftime of the ACC Championship Game, with Virginia Tech and Florida State tied 3-3. I'd hoped that the universe would align for a perfect day, which would've included a Virginia Tech win and losses by USC, Texas, and LSU. LSU lost, but USC and Texas rolled. Not unexpected. Now I'm just anticipating a VT win. It's still in doubt, but I believe. And with a win, the Hokies go to the Orange Bowl in Miami. The Orange Bowl is a Bowl Championship Series (BCS) game. The payout to the school is millions more than any bowl we'd go to if we lose tonight. The stakes are high. But high enough for this?

Calling the Bowl Championship Series "deeply flawed," the chairman of a congressional committee has called a hearing on the controversial system used to determine college football's national champion.

A House Energy and Commerce subcommittee, charged with regulating America's sports industry, announced Friday it will conduct a hearing on the BCS next week, after this season's bowl matchups are determined.

"College football is not just an exhilarating sport, but a billion-dollar business that Congress cannot ignore," said committee Chairman Joe Barton, a Texas Republican. Barton's panel is separate from the House Government Reform panel that tackled steroids in baseball.

The committee announcement called the hearing, scheduled for next Wednesday, a "comprehensive review" of the BCS and postseason college football.

"Too often college football ends in sniping and controversy, rather than winners and losers," Barton said. "The current system of determining who's No. 1 appears deeply flawed."

Barton said he does not have legislation in mind to force a change, but said he hopes congressional hearings will spur discussion and improvements. It won't be the first time Congress has looked at the BCS. In 2003, the Senate probed whether the system was unfairly tilted against smaller schools.

We know the Democrats aren't for small government, but is there any doubt left that the Republicans aren't for small government, either? Just because the government has jurisdiction doesn't mean it should exercise it. The future of this country will not be worse if these hearings do not happen. Is it possible that we'll be at least a little worse just because they happen?

I love Hokies football. Even though the BCS would've screwed us if we'd gone undefeated, I'm okay with the flawed BCS. It's better than nothing. And, given that it's designed to make money, it isn't static. Everyone involved is doing everything possible to make it permanent and viable. Maybe they'll get it right. If they don't, the fans and schools will revolt. The system isn't immune to pressure, which is like every other industry in America. But Congress can't let it go because it wants discussion and improvements. All he needs to do is watch ESPN every Saturday to know that the discussion is constant and loud. But getting informed before posturing would've been too hard, I suppose.

I'm just surprised that Congressman Loose Cannon™ isn't involved.

Hat tip: Catallarchy