It just seems clear as day to me.
SEC/Big XII: Great! Playoff! Best 4 teams! WooHoo!
big 10/PAC12: Wait...we don't have any of the best 4 teams. You want to let Boise State into this thing ahead of us?
SEC/Big XII: Best 4 teams! WooHoo!
big 10/PAC12: Eff that. We're collegial and crap. Amateur athletics. Student athletes. Friendly competition. Building character. Building men. Screw that best 4 teams money grab, we'll play the Rose Bowl and be done.
SEC/Big XII: What??? But we want a champion. A true champion. Best against the best. The people demand it.
big 10/PAC12: No. The old way worked fine. We're tired of computer bullshit. Our decision is final.
SEC/Big XII: Well crap. At least we have a bowl like the Rose Bowl to play in. Oh, hay, we just had an idea. What if we pair our Champions Bowl winner against the Rose Bowl winner in a fun exhibition game?
big 10/PAC12: That does sound like fun. Lets do it!
Notre Dame: Excuse me, we would like to be in this.