Guide: Best And Worst College Bowl Gift Packages

By Mike Sullivan
@MikeSullivan

It's one of the best times of the year. Bowl season.

Beginning December 20th, a total of 39 college football bowl games will be played through January 12th. These games range from the "Famous Idaho Potato Bowl" and Detroit's "Quick Lane Bowl," all the way to historic bowls like the Rose and Cotton.

Fans love bowl season because of betting pools and the fact that it's simply another opportunity to watch their team play.

Coaches and athletic departments love it because it gives their program another few weeks of practice time.

Athletes love it because they get to travel somewhere, play, and have a good time. Every bowl game also rewards the participants with gifts.

Sports Business Daily published their annual "bowl gifts" list which included some pretty impressive presents. Keep in mind that there were three games who decided not to reveal their gift information: Boca Raton Bowl, Cotton Bowl, National Championship Game.

The NCAA allows each bowl to award up to $550 worth of gifts to 125 participants per school. Schools also have the opportunity to buy additional gifts that they can distribute to participants beyond the 125 limit. In addition, players can receive awards worth up to $400 from the school and up to $400 from the conference for postseason play, covering both conference title games and bowl games.

I compiled a list of, what I believe to be, the 5 best and 5 worst bowl game gift packages:

THE BEST

Outback Bowl: $150 Best Buy gift card; Outback Steakhouse gift card; Fossil watch; Jostens rings; cap

Detroit Quick Lane Bowl: $250 Best Buy gift card; Sony headphones; custom-made Fathead for each player with their likeness; various apparel; football

Military Bowl: Microsoft Xbox One console; Under Armour backpack; Might Boom Ball speakers; beanie

THE WORST

Famous Idaho Potato Bowl: Ohio backpack; winter coat; winter gloves; winter beanie; Big Game football

AdvoCare V100 Texas Bowl: Adidas Team Speed duffel bag; cap; belt buckle

Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl: A Fossil watch

New Era Pinstripe Bowl: Variety of New Era products.

Zaxby's Heart of Dallas Bowl: Ogio Marshall Pack backpack; beanie; Big Game football