Here’s your annual list of swag the bowls give student-athletes this season. The games are allowed to reward the players with up to $550 in prizes and you can see some games do all they can to get as close to the cap as possible — I’m looking at you Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Bowl.

“OK, we’ve got the PlayStation 3, the Oakley Eyepatch 2, and Oakley backpack duffel … what’s that come to, Mark?”
“My math says $545.50, sir.”
“OK, throw in a mini-helmet. And we’re done.”

A bunch of these are really good and really funny, like the Chick-fil-A Bowl offering a $15 gift card. Really? How about the Sheraton Hawaii Bowl stuffing the bag? Oakley sunglasses, Aloha shirt, Pro Athletics custom beach shorts, Oakley T-shirt, performance wear, cap or visor and a backpack … and beach towels … and playing cards … and … what’s that now, $549.40? … and a bowl calendar.

As for WVU, it’s not bad. the players get a Torneau watch, but Pat McAfee told me once no one cares about watches because no one wears watches because everyone is on their cell phone now — and he still wouldn’t give me his. There’s also the ambiguous “gift suite,” which I bet is pretty nice since Discover is a sponsor and can get its hands on all sorts of things.

Yet I have to think the Belk Bowl was a better option. The players get a private shopping spree and about $400 to spend … and a watch!

Upon arrival, players will receive a customized Fossil watch with the Belk Bowl logo imprinted on the face, and a Belk gift card with the game logo printed on the front. Players will be able to shop throughout the store, and Belk will ship for free the items to the address chosen by the players. Additional shipping will cost the player $8 per address. The school representing the Big East Conference will shop first, followed by the ACC team.

The day after Christmas, Belk will target what historically has been its prime demographic, as the coaches’ wives will head to the store for their own five-hour event, beginning with a wine/cheese/champagne reception complete with custom signage, gift cards, lunch, and cosmetic and spa services.