I totally agree. While I have no faith in the BCS, the Orange and Rose Bowl games were quite enjoyable.
There's nothing like seeing JoePa win a big-time bowl game after all the criticism. I still remember seeing him walk down the hallway outside my high school cafeteria as I ate lunch; everybody was silent and watched in awe.
As far as the Rose Bowl is concerned. Well played Texas. It would have been nice to see the USC streak continue, but it's even nicer to see a new King of the Mountain.