I guess we define "meaningless" based on whether we are personally interested?
Because that extra month of practice, recruiting pitch, fun trip for players/family/fans, charitable causes the bowls support, revenue for the host city and the jobs attached to it, revenue for the networks, profitable advertising for sponsors, revenue and advertising for the schools, and the enjoyment of the people who do watch all say that the games are not "meaningless".
and those will probably still be there for most teams. I think it would be a bonus if there was less breathing room for 6 and 6 teams with a win over an FCS program.