Obama, Congress can be no more than cheerleaders

Richard Burr, 53, was elected to the U.S. Senate in 2004 after serving five terms in the House representing a district that includes Winston-Salem and parts of the western Piedmont. Born in Virginia, he grew up in Winston-Salem and played linebacker at Wake Forest University from 1974 to 1978. He is a frequent guest on sports talk shows, particularly during football season.

Q: Is a playoff system a good idea?

A: I think it is. We've had several years with the BCS system and still haven't escaped criticism and questions about whether we have the top teams playing.

Q: What would it take to make it happen?

A: I'm not sure. You got the big conferences currently invested in the bowl-inclusion deals they've been able to line up. It's a system that's shaped more by what's financially good for them than with fielding the two best teams.

The whole thing is wrapped up with the financing of college sports. To change it, you'd need to get the college presidents on board.

Q: Is there an argument to be made against a playoff?

A: I'm not sure there is -- but the big conferences and their athletic directors will try to make one.

Q: Does the government have any role in trying to change things?

A: None at all. I don't know that the president or Congress can even lean on the colleges to change the system.

All we can do is offer an opinion -- anything outside that would be inappropriate.

Q: Is this harder or easier than fixing the economy?

A: (laughs) You may stand a better chance of fixing the economy than getting the big conferences to sign off on a national championship playoff. At the end of the day, this is about revenue.