(CNN) -- In a letter to the NCAA disclosed Wednesday, the Justice Department said it has received several requests for an antitrust investigation into the current Bowl Championship Series system, and it wants information to help it decide what to do. That controversial system makes it very difficult for teams in some athletic conferences to qualify for major bowl games, potentially costing millions of dollars in revenue to those not chosen. "Serious questions continue to arise suggesting that the current BCS system may not be conducted consistent with the competition principles expressed in federal antitrust laws," Assistant Attorney General Christine Varney told NCAA President Mark Emmert.
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The Bowl Championship Series system makes it hard for some college teams to qualify
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Millions of dollars in revenue are at stake in the football bowl selection process
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Assistant Attorney General Varney seeks an explanation
One antitrust expert who declares himself neutral in the case says he doubts @placeholder will launch a probe because it has a full plate of more pressing issues.