They are not getting rid of the bowls...the SEC vs Big 12 2nd place teams will play in a bowl. The bowls will go on and the conference challenge will go on for who wins the most bowls/playoff games.

As far as if there is another split like they did in 1978 with D1A and D1AA...for many D1AA schools it was the best thing that ever happened to them. Instead of being at the bottom of D1A...a lot of schools moved to the top of D1AA. Schools like William and Mary and Richmond have thrived in almost every way by being in D1AA. They sell out most games, make the playoffs and have not had to pay for as many football scholarships...something that is hard for some schools playing in the current FBS level. Remember with Title IX you are not just funding the extra football players. For some schools that is a real stretch for their funding.