Not just the CFP, but the CFP PLUS the NY6 games means that the quality of matchups has really declined in games like this. Under 90?s bowl arrangements, the Citrus Bowl would?ve featured UGA vs tOSU, with the winner having an outside shot at a NC if things fell right elsewhere. There?s just a lot less on the line now.
Plus folks were a lot more willing to travel before gas and hotel prices shot through the roof.
You left out that our TVs are basically small movie screens now, and the information on screen and frequency of replays much greater. Heck, we can do our own replays, for that matter.