What did I say earlier? That 4-5 teams had a chance often. I was right. That’s 2 games. Depending on how those games went, any number of things could happen.
So we agree, my original post was "Outside of only one or maybe two bowl games it was always that way." But if you include a 5th team then twice it did happen and there where three bowls contributing to the NC.
About a 50/50 split on whether one or two bowl games mattered and the rest were exhibition games just like it is now.
I enjoyed the Rose bowl this year just as much as any in the 80's or 90's if not more.
Really the only thing that truly matters is that the old system allowed for that rare moment when a minor bowl is the NC and the Holiday bowl gets the spotlight. For that reason the old system is the best.
C