Notre Dame, the school that spurned postseason participation for more than four decades prior to 1969, will allow its players to vote on whether to play in a bowl in the wake of Charlie Weis' firing.

As if they've got something better things to do during winter break.

ESPN's Mark Schlabach and Bruce Feldman project Notre Dame will go to the GMAC Bowl in Mobile, Ala., which isn't such a bad option for a 6-6 team on a four-game losing skid.

Maybe it's the company I keep, but I've yet to meet someone without a job who's too good for a gift bag.

College students give blood for free T-shirts, but the lads from South Bend might not get on a plane for a free watch? The GMAC Bowl doesn't give its players fancy electronics like the BCS bowls do, but free is free when you're broke.

Mobile has its charms, too. It's this country's original home of Mardi Gras. It's where the town's favorite son, Hank Aaron, broke windows with prodigious home runs. It's where its other son, JaMarcus Russell, broke windows throwing screen passes through screen doors. That's precious history.

And there's free stuff.

Go to a bowl, guys. Get something. Learn something. That's what college is all about.