top conferences had a monopoly on the big bowls from the beginning of time It's how they developed "blue bloods". Win it on the field, it's the only way. Tradition sometimes isn't right. Go to 24 like the FCS, have the to 8 schools get a bye and a guaranteed home playoff game. Get rid of the traditional bowl venues, and let cities bid on the semi finals and final. Where is tradition today? If it's about money now - which it is, and may have always been, let's make the big bucks, and spread the wealth.