Making a bowl game is a big deal for college football programs. Not only does it give them some extra time together on the practice field to develop, but it also means a pretty sweet line up of gifts and a red carpet, VIP bowl treatment.
Always included in that VIP treatment is an impressive list of bowl gifts that players and coaches receive, which we do a spotlight on every year. Some are standard, others are pretty creative, and some of then will make you say "really?"
Of course, the ever-popular gift suites (see what those look like here), backpacks, watches, and footballs litter the list compiled by The Sports Business Journal. But dig a little deeper and you'll see a number of more creative gifts.
I've picked out some of the more interesting ones below.
The Zaxby's Heart of Dallas Bowl (Washington vs. Southern Miss): Players will get a backpack with built-in hydration bladder. We all know what we'd use something like that for in college...
Quick Lane Bowl (Central Michigan vs. Minnesota): Custom-made life-sized decals of each player. This one takes the cake as my personal favorite of ANY bowl. Nice work fellas.
Capital One Orange Bowl (Clemson vs. Oklahoma): Commemorative "split" helmet (half one team and half on the other) for each player.
New Era Pinstripe Bowl (Duke vs. Indiana): Only gifts listed were a "variety of New Era products". This is by far the most underwhelming gift package listed.
AutoZone Liberty Bowl (Kansas State vs. Arkansas): Included in the long list of items that these teams will receive are "custom made Oculus Pro Team HD binoculars". I have no idea what they are, but they sound amazing.
Nova Home Loans Arizona Bowl (Nevada vs. Colorado State): Only one gift is listed, and it is Cowtown custom-made cowboy boots.
AdvoCare V100 Texas Bowl (Texas Tech vs. LSU): Another gift that I'm not entirely sure what it is, is listed here for the Texas Bowl - an alpaca throw. Also included in the gift haul is something everyone is all too familiar with nowadays: A selfie stick.
Overall best list:Quick Lane Bowl (Central Michigan vs. Minnesota) - List includes JBL headphones, custom-made life-sized decal for each player with his likeness, hoodie, winter hat, baseball cap, Ogio backpack, vintage football, $200 Best Buy gift card
List that could use the most improvement: GoodYear Cotton Bowl (Alabama vs. Michigan State) - Only thing listed under gifts they are providing is "would not disclose". Sure, they'll get something, but what a buzzkill for everyone to read.
It's also worth noting that Camping World is the title sponsor of the Independence Bowl, and while their bowl gift list includes a gift suite, actual camping supplies can be found in the gift lists of other bowl games like the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl (a two-person tent), or the AutoZone Liberty Bowl (a Bass Pro Shops gift card and shopping trip). That's a head scratcher.
Head here to take a full look at the bowl gift for this season, and while you're at it, here's a look at the bowl game gifts from last year, and the 2013-14 season to see how it all compares.