Of course, college football players are excited about a bowl game for the chance to play one more time, for the opportunity to finish their season -- or career, even -- on a positive note. But on a smaller level, they're psyched about the cool toys they get from the bowls.

Bowls are allowed to give up to $500 (up from $300 in previous years) in gifts to each player, with each bowl choosing a different combination of electronics, watches, gear and other trendy gifts. So what are the Bulls getting for playing in the inaugural St. Petersburg Bowl?

(Hey, if you're a player who doesn't want to see his presents before Christmas, so to speak, better skip the next paragraph, and pay no attention to that photo, while you're at it. If I had the technology, I'd do the cool "spoiler" font where you have to highlight the text to see it. At this point, I'll just flaunt that I have italics, bold, even underline while you loyal readers can't so much as strikethrough.)

The coolest thing looks to be a Pure Digital "Flip" mini-camcorder, a handheld number (pictured) that retails in the $130 range. Players also will get a set of Sony noise-reducing earphones -- as a reporter, I'll politely ask you not wear those during interviews -- and an Ogio travel bag. There also are cool gifts emblazoned with the logo of the St. Petersburg Bowl -- a beach towel, a bucket hat and a regulation-size football.

That doesn't even include the new USF gear they get with bowl logos on it -- schools are allowed to provide up to $350 in bowl gear, typically a jacket, shirts, etc. ...