I'm not totally certain on this, but I think the bowl/conference alignments predate the BCS. I do know that they include smaller conferences -- the MAC is guaranteed spots in the GMAC Bowl and the Motor City Bowl. I'm pretty sure these alignments do not come from the NCAA but are negotiated between the bowls and conferences.
I'm not sure what I think about the drive to reduce the number of Division 1-A football programs. I think the intent is to prevent so many schools from losing so much money on their football programs, but I'm not so sure they shouldn't be allowed to make that decision for themselves. I do certainly hope that it doesn't lead to a playoff... I'm a big fan of the pre-BCS bowl system.
