As always, a slew of programs will trot out new looks for the upcoming college football season. Uniform turnover, be they tweaks or complete overhaul, adds undeniable flavor to college football. While there are always a considerable amount of misses and looks that should have gone untouched, we wanted to highlight the 10 best new uniforms/helmets introduced this offseason.
10. Vanderbilt Deep Water
Vandy’s Deep Water look from the neck down is solid, if unspectacular. The gray comes off a little jump-suity, but the cream number color is a nice complement, as is the “V” star logo on the hip and “ANCHOR DOWN” on the leg. Where this look really shines is the helmet, the face of which is designed to look like a choppy sea, accentuated with a large anchor. The stripe is an anchor chain, which seems like it should be over the top, but totally isn’t.
— Vanderbilt Football (@VandyFootball) August 16, 2015
That helmet though #DeepWater http://t.co/qM7JibFvWX pic.twitter.com/RwEwCyf2uF
— Vanderbilt Football (@VandyFootball) August 16, 2015
9. Northern Illinois 1965 Throwbacks
NIU will celebrate a half-century at Huskie Stadium by throwing it back to 1965 for its season-opener against UNLV. Adidas did right by the program, unveiling a simple, bold look updated for the 21st century. The uniform has a red top and white pants with few, effective trims. The old-school number font and stockings are perfect and the helmet is just gorgeous, while the “NI” on one shoulder is emblematic of how much attention was paid to detail. And yet, the look still feels fresh.
Northern Illinois wearing 1965 throwbacks for its 9/5 game vs UNLV pic.twitter.com/B3LX8Bcsf8
— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) August 25, 2015
8. SMU American Flag Mustang Helmet
It’s unclear when SMU will wear this matte blue lid, but we’ll be watching when they do. The blue shell is punctuated by an awesome American flag–infused Mustang logo and a chrome facemask. It feels like each feature on its own could be overkill if not complemented correctly, but SMU pulled it off with just the right balance. Now, about improving that 1-11 record…
@SMU_Football @SMU_Equipment straight up Nasty! pic.twitter.com/A5i8RvIvBd
— Chad Morris (@coachchadmorris) February 26, 2015
7. Michigan State Bronze Alternates
It might take time to get used to seeing Michigan State in bronze. Why stray from a strictly green-and-white look that’s worked for forever? According to the school, the bronze sleeve caps that house the logo are “influenced by Spartan shields” and “pay homage to the gridiron warrior’s homeland.” That’s reason enough, and while it might be weird at first, bronze could be a welcome addition to Sparty’s wardrobe.
Michigan State’s alternate bronze helmet (oxidized metal finish) @usnikefootball #Spartans pic.twitter.com/mamsL2zrxq
— Spartan Football (@MSU_Football) April 23, 2015
Shilique Calhoun models MSU’s alternate home jersey (Nike Mach Speed) @usnikefootball #Spartans pic.twitter.com/Wb8iW7pXO9
— Spartan Football (@MSU_Football) April 23, 2015
6. Utah “Neo Classic” Throwbacks
The Utes went with a hodgepodge approach for these throwbacks they’ll wear for their October 10th homecoming game against Cal. Utah borrowed its interlocking UU helmet logo from the 1960s, the number font from the ‘70s and the jersey stripes from the ‘70s-’90s. It feels like it shouldn’t work, but it comes together to form something incredibly sharp. Utah calls it “Neo Classic.” We call it a “Super Throwback.”
Respect the past. Own the future. #UUThrowback coming 10.10.15. pic.twitter.com/3nt9oMWgyq
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) August 6, 2015
5. Baylor Gray Alternates
Baylor makes great use of silver and gray in this alternate, a predominantly gray look with gold numbers, green and white trims and a silver helmet. The green bear claws on the sleeve are a nice touch. For a team trying to establish itself as the Oregon of Texas, this uniform only helps in that quest.
#YB #B2B #LetsEat pic.twitter.com/zjOqrRl3rI
— Coach Art Briles (@CoachArtBriles) May 29, 2015
4. Virginia Tech Tri-Colored Helmet
There won’t be any look more sharp than the helmet Virginia Tech will wear for its September 12th game against Furman for Military Appreciation Day. It’s a tri-colored lid with a white top (hosting the “VT” logo), brief orange middle and maroon base. It will be paired with a white uniform, featuring maroon-and-orange shoulder stripes that complement the helmet perfectly. Granted, Nike has used this helmet design template before. But we’re glad the Hokies are using this instead of some of the other alternate lids they’ve tried on.
9.12.15 vs Furman #Hokies #WhiteEffect #MilitaryAppreciationDay pic.twitter.com/btz9NHNqv1
— Beamer Ball (@Beamer_Ball) April 25, 2015
3. Tennessee
Its gray alternates aside, Tennessee’s new home and away uniforms are spotless. The Vols’ classic color scheme is on full, simple display. Checkerboards are inserted in all the right places, like the helmet stripe and pant leg. The white top/orange bottom away look is slightly sharper than the all-orange home uniform, but both shine.
Tennessee Football HOME uniforms pic.twitter.com/PG849Vwnqf
— Tennessee Athletics (@Vol_Sports) July 1, 2015
Here it is, your Tennessee Football AWAY uniform pic.twitter.com/Esk0S0cb5t
— Tennessee Athletics (@Vol_Sports) July 1, 2015
2. San Diego State
These Aztec calendar lids are some of the most innovative, coolest helmets in college football, perhaps ever. The uniforms are pretty solid, featuring the same calendar design as a shoulder trim. Programs often don’t exhibit discretion when drawing on inspiration for their sartorial choices, but SDSU’s use of the Aztec calendar is one of the finest homages yet.
Official release on #AztecFB‘s uniforms (video, gallery): http://t.co/4b21wJr4do pic.twitter.com/Jlo8gSQyXP
— GoAztecs.com (@GoAztecs) August 4, 2015
1. North Carolina
Whoever it was who spoke up during a hypothetical meeting between Nike and North Carolina and said, “I think we should put argyle on the football uniforms, too!” deserves a huge raise. UNC went back to basics for 2015 with an all-Carolina blue home uniform and an all-black alternate and it pays off. More importantly, it added argyle flourishes around the collar and down the pant leg, echoing what the basketball team has done for decades. The congruity between UNC athletics is a nice touch, and regardless, the argyle just looks outstanding.
Argyle on all UNC uniforms? Yes, please: http://t.co/K3HRDgNe6A pic.twitter.com/Vqj8VW9fH3
— Lost Lettermen (@LostLettermen) April 21, 2015
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