WASHINGTON — Sen. Orrin Hatch is urging President Barack Obama to invite Boise State to the White House along with Bowl Championship Series winner Alabama, arguing both undefeated teams deserve the honor traditionally afforded to college football's national champion.

The Utah Republican, a fierce critic of the BCS, made the request in a letter to Obama yesterday.

Hatch wrote that because there is no playoff, fans are left to speculate whether more than one team deserves to be called the best in college football. Hatch was already irate that his home state team, Utah, didn't get to play for the national championship last year despite going undefeated.

Last fall, he urged Obama to ask the Justice Department to investigate whether the BCS violated antitrust laws, but he has yet to receive a response.

In yesterday's letter, Hatch argued that inviting both teams will "send a clear message" that champions should be chosen on the field.