This weekend, I had a lovely time in South Bend watching the Irish defeat Stanford in a thrilling battle. During that time, Mr. Brian Tracy asked me why I am doing this particular series of posts. My response was "boredom," but I'd like to amend that. It's actually a Walter White-ian "because I can." Now, on with the show:
#50 - Louisiana Tech Bulldogs
My video game team won't win any awards for prettiest uniform, but I like the combination of basic primary colors here. I like to call uniforms like this "marker" uniforms because they use the basic colors you get from a set of kid's markers. The helmet logo is also incredibly snappy, simple, and unique (not many other teams have the shape of their state on their helmet). Finally, I love those shoulder stripes. I can't get enough of that.
#49 - Houston Cougars
Nothing spectacular here, other than a redesigned helmet that I really like, both for the color and the design. The jersey and pants are standard issue.
#48 - Michigan Wolverines
Yes, the helmet is iconic, and Michigan gets a lot of points for that (even though it looks a little odd). What they lose points for are some weird alternates (also these), and a lack of anything else exciting. Yes, I'm probably a little biased (or a lot biased), but even so, I don't think I'm underranking them that much.
#47 - Tulsa Golden Hurricanes
On one hand, the script helmet is great and I love the blue-gold combination. On the other hand, they have a few weird things going on there, mainly with the numbering and the pants stripe. However their largest downgrade comes from this terrible alternate they've apparently worn multiple times. On the whole, it's not the worst attire, but the helmet is such a downgrade from the norm that I have no problem calling it terrible.
#46 - Oregon Ducks
Many people hate them. Many recruits love them. While they're not going to win any awards for taste or beauty, I do appreciate the unique strain of aesthetics that Nike U's uniforms represent. First, they're forming an identity through their uniforms in a truly novel way. Secondly, and more sneakily, they're able to get rid of the true misfires quickly, since they never wear the same thing twice. While I personally prefer their old uniforms (mostly for the helmet and not for the weird black jersey), I respect what they do now.
#45 - Notre Dame Fighting Irish
If this ranking was just for ND's regular uniforms, then it would likely be 10-20 spots higher. However, these rankings take into account the bizarre things that we choose to do. Yes, sometimes the alternates hit the mark, but a team as steeped in tradition as Notre Dame probably shouldn't mess too much with what works.
#44 - LSU Tigers
I'm not a fan of the cluttered helmet, but LSU gets points for keeping everything else simple and for being the only team to wear white at home (except for their one-off games).
#43 - Oregon State Beavers
I usually don't like "modern" fonts, but the one they use for their numbering actually works pretty well as a subtle alternative to their in-state rivals. Pair that with a great helmet, and you have a pretty nice outfit.
#42 - Wake Forest Demon Deacons
I'm starting to feel like a bit of a broken record, but here's another team with a great helmet and a mediocre jersey. The helmet has the perfect mix of simplicity and subtle flair with the font, while highlighting the contrast between their colors. The jersey is pretty forgettable, and they fall victim to the thin striping trend.
#41 - Iowa Hawkeyes
My favorite touch on these classic uniforms is the black collar with the Hawkeye logo. A lot of teams place the logo further down, right above the number, and it often looks out of place. This small difference makes the whole jersey stronger.
#40 - Louisiana Monroe Warhawks
This is another good example of how keeping it simple can be the way to go. The trim on the side of the jerseys isn't the best, but it doesn't hurt too much given that that is their only misstep. The angles of the jersey font and the helmet logo compliment each other well and leads me to believe that there was some thought put into this design.
#39 - Pittsburgh Panthers - Big East Champs
The first "conference champion" of the list is Pitt, which means the Big East comes in last, especially since Pitt is leaving after this year (although they have a few future members in the top 25). I'm not a big fan of the helmet, but everything else is great, especially the color combination.
#38 - Miami (Florida) Hurricanes
The U is known for its swagger (both good and bad), and these uniforms do a good job of representing that without being too gawdy. This isn't my favorite shade of orange, but it's kept under control with the nice green trim and a classy helmet. I liked the green jersey a little better, but they don't appear to wear it anymore.
#37 - San Jose State Spartans
Three of the four Greek teams in FBS (USC, Michigan State, and SJSU) have helmets with a warrior on it. In my opinion, SJSU's is the sharpest, and the clever spear/stripe helps make these truly great helmets. The rest of the uniform is great as well, as they recently got rid of the striping. Of course, regardless of what their current uniforms are, pretty much anything would be a major upgrade over these.
#36 - Northwestern Wildcats
I'm too big a fan of the logo and the Wildcats' particular shade of purple to downgrade them too much for the black stripe across the jersey. The road jersey is actually a bit sharper because of how pronounced the numbering is.
#35 - Wisconsin Badgers
Much like Northwestern, you could probably make an argument against the slightly-goofy helmet logo. However, both of these logos have lasted a long time, and fit well with the uniform as a whole. Everything else on the Badgers uniform is simple and well done. Red is one of those colors that can work well on its own.
#34 - Stanford Cardinal
Similar to Wisconsin, except darker, even simpler, and more classic. As I've seen the roadies live a few times now, I know how well those can play off of others' garb (most notably blue). This isn't a bad alternate (this either), but it isn't really necessary. Now that we're getting to this point in the list, even decent alternates can get you downgraded a bit.
#33 - Fresno State Bulldogs
This is a modern redesign that works well because it sticks to a few simple items of flair, and keeps the focus on the primary red color. I especially like how the silver trim on the numbering makes it pop, which elevates the jersey from fine to great. I've always loved the secondary V logo on the back of the helmet as well. It's a great way to subtly represent the region.
#32 - Kansas Jayhawks
I would probably choose to go without the Jayhawk on the jersey, but you probably do have to put in on the uniform somewhere, and it's better there than on the helmet. The red trim on all the logos and numbering is a nice theme that manages to incorporate red without losing focus on the main blue color. At least Charlie's team has one thing right.
#31 - Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders
Blue and silver will never get old. When executed as well as this, it gets a spot near the top of my rankings. The so-so logo (with an awkward horse) is probably the only thing holding this set back from the top 25.
#30 - UTSA Roadrunners
UTSA is the tops of all the new schools by a pretty good margin. The main reason is their well-executed helmet. I normally decry combination logos, but this one balances the mascot and the name equally while not overcrowding the helmet.
#29 - Bowling Green Falcons - MAC Champions
There's a few problems here (most notably the text on the jersey). However, I like the shade of orange, and the overall level of simplicity. The old helmets were a bit better because of their 70s charm, but everything else is better now, so the upgrade is probably a net positive.
#28 - Utah State Aggies - WAC Champions
This is a snappy upgrade for a team that might actually win the WAC in real life. I don't normally like matte helmets, but dark colors such as the Aggies blue work best with that fad. That would make USU the Dos Equis of uniforms, if only I were more interesting.
#27 - Nebraska Cornhuskers
I can't be truly objective about Nebraska, but I think this is about where they belong. Their uniforms are a good balance of simplicity and old-school sensibility with the plain N helmets being the obvious highlight. Yes, the alternates are bad, but whatever points they lose for those are made up for by the relatively quick decision to get rid of this redesign. Also, I do miss last year's kinda funny double patches.
#26 - Virginia Tech Hokies
Virginia Tech is this high on the list mainly because they manage to pull off such an audacious combination of colors. Those really shouldn't work together, but they do. Having such a beautifully simple logo doesn't hurt, either. I also like the reversed jersey, but not quite as much. They've had a mixed record with alternate uniforms, but some of them work really well, including a rare subtle example of camo.
Up next: #25-1, which featues a stunning number of Sun Belt teams.
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