The key there being revenue. THe idiotic bowl system that sends nearly half the teams to meaningless (but lucrative) bowl games exists to spread the revenue. That's why there will never be a playoff system and that's why the "championship" will always be silly.
when I was 15, I went to Jacksonville Fl and saw UNC play Arkansas in the gator bowl. I had a good ole time and I was only 15. It was a nice trip. Fans enjoy traveling to bowls.