Toulon NOBODY should care about any bowl except the ones that determine the champion.
I still can't believe you typed that...what a pompous statement.
I'll maintain the kids that play in these bowls are playing for the love of the game.
Many of these kids playing in the bowl are visiting a new city and have the red carpet rolled out by local officials. The players receive SWAG valued at several $100 (up to NCAA limit), have banquets, sightseeing trips, and some relaxing downtime.
The parents and friends of the players care about the kids playing in these bowls.
The NFL scouts are interested in the kids that are especially gifted and could be draft material but want to get another look at them to see if they should receive an invite to the combine.
Colleges have 'branding consultants' and they are told their exposure from a bowl game is worth the costs they may incur to accept the invitation.
The NCAA allows ONLY schools that participate in a bowl game to continue practicing until their game is played. This seems minor but I've heard coaches state what a huge advantage it is for their underclassmen that will be back the following year. You've added an extension to the spring practice period of 4-5 weeks by another 2-3 weeks, on average.
Colleges like to have their alumni attend bowl games as it gives them time to schmooze at gatherings. I've attended college football bowl games and an NCAA tournament weekend and they are great time, especially when you can meet up with old college buddies. Who gives a crap what some keyboard kowboy thinks of lower tier bowl games?