College football season (thank the Heavens) is in the immediate offing,
and that means it's time for various and sundry Top 25s.
In this little cranny of the blogosphere, however, we're not going to
rank teams based on their on-field potential. Rather, we're dishing on
all things sartorial. That is: Who's got the best uniforms in college
football?
To answer this most pressing of questions, we're going to run down our Top 25 College Football Uniforms.
Need we remind you that you're not standing in a democracy? So these
are opinions delivered from on high, and the only respite those
seditious naysayers shall have is the hinterland better known as the
comments section.
First, however, a word or several about my biases: I
like black cleats, stripes on pants, classic designs and plain
arrangements. Put another way, if it looks like it came from the inner
reaches of Nike HQ or is otherwise too fashion-forward, then it's not
going to be found here. If want to know what's completely wrong about
football uniforms, then just watch a Baltimore Ravens home game. If you
want to know what's right about football uniforms--college ones,
anyway--then just have look below.
The Top 25 college football unis in all the land ...
25. Arizona State
A lot of people hate these, and, sure, on some level they resemble
tacos. However, the colors and design generally work for me. Reasonably
cool helmet logo, too.
24. Florida Atlantic
A bit high-schoolish at first blush, but there are enough classic elements in place to make the FAU unis worth mentioning.
23. Oklahoma
Points for continuity and simplicity. Also, points for not resorting to
the tiresome "pants and helmet same color on road trips" thing.
22. Kansas
A bit too derivative of the NY Giants, and the pants stripes need work. But still, a nifty assemblage and a vast improvement over the erstwhile KU football uniforms.
21. Brigham Young
Thank merciful God they went back to their old look. Never let Nike
design anything. Anything. This is how BYU football should look.
20. Tennessee
Sure, the orange is regrettable for some, but it's one of the most
distinctive looks in any sport. Guys in the press box like to complain
that you can't read the uniform numbers, but they look much better not
outlined in black.
19. Nebraska
Another classic look that's survived the decades. The sans-seraph "N" on the helmet is also cool. Yes, you should pay attention to font choices.
18. LSU
As long as they're not busting out the purple jerseys, LSU's look is a
winner. Great helmets. But stop calling it "gold." It's yellow.
17. North Carolina
Unique coloring. Sometimes, unique coloring doesn't work at all, but in UNC's case it does. Those going negative might say they look like bubble-gum sno-cones, but is that such a bad thing?
16. Washington
Thankfully, the gold helmets are back. The gold-and-purple home threads are just exceptional.
15. Notre Dame
A classic gold-plus-dark-color combo. So long as the green jerseys are safely cosseted away in mothballs, all is good. Enough with the BCS bids, though.
14. Army
Similar to ND's unis, but better. It's the helmet and jersey striping that does it. Plus, they're equally worthy of a BCS bid.
13. Georgia Southern
Numbered helmets are way cool. They're basically a blue Alabama, and that's a compliment. Viva la Tracy Ham!
12. Texas
Other than those atop our number-one-ranked uni, these may be the best helmets in
football. Great logo, great burnt orange color, and they're one of the
few teams that gets away with white cleats.
11. Auburn
Think of them as the rich man's FAU. Great striping, and no team's all-white arrangement looks as good.
10. Ohio State
No one makes helmet stickers work better than the Buckeyes. The red and
silver (or whatever variant of those two colors they claim) works great
together. Oh, and bonus points for Brutus Buckeye. Oh, and bonus points for having a poisonous nut as your mascot.
9. Penn State
The seminal unadorned look survives (and thrives) to this day. Even
numbered helmets were too fancy-pants for the Nittany Lions. Sure, they
look they're wearing scrimmage unis, but that's what makes them so
cool.
8. Alabama
The most recognizable numbered helmets in all the land, and the crimson
has become an iconic look in college football. Shame on Ray Perkins for
ever dragging those white helmets out of the vaults.
7. UCLA
Gold (real gold, not yellow) is a relentlessly popular uniform color in
college football, but no one does it better than UCLA. Great helmet
script (font!), great home jersey color. Points off for the lack of pants
stripes and the recent habit of festooning their numbers with that
faux 3-D thing. Still, overall an exceptional get-up. Football
uniforms should make players look slow; UCLA has the best uniforms that
make players look fast.
Sure, Ivy League athletics is most useful as a target of mockery, but
the Bulldogs/Elis have some great duds. Classic elements abound, and
they're seamlessly worked together. Hence, the high ranking. That said: Nerds!
4. Virginia
So long as they stay away from the all-blue combo, these are hard to
beat. Awesome logo, numbers on the shoulders, excellent triple-striping
on the pants. The most underrated uni in the game? Maybe ...
3. Syracuse
But then there's Syracuse's new get-up. Awesome. Yep, awesome. Some
people detest the Orangemen's new look, but I think it's straight from
the firmament. Numbered helmets? Check. Black cleats? Check. Blue and
orange colors? Check. Classic striping on helmet, jersey and pants?
Check. It's a look that would make Ernie Davis proud. Of those who object, I would ask: why do you hate Ernie Davis?
2. USC
Exceptionally cool helmets, colors, striping and cleats. It's a look that's also stood the test of time.
1. Michigan
I don't so much care for the stripeless pants, but the helmets are the
best in all of sports. Great color combo and properly-hued cleats, as
well. But mostly it's the helmets. And the fight song.
I agree with your lineup with one big exception: numbered helmets. They are totally redundant and prevent an opportunity to place cool logo on the sides. For example, Alabama's would look so much better if their snarling elephant or a rolling tide graphic replaced those numbers.
Other quibbles: Look more closely at LSU's helmet. It's too crowded with both the lettering and the tiger logo, one of them should go. If the tiger stays, it should be remade to be slightly 3D.
The same with USC's trojan--it's 2D pastie flat; it looks like the old Atlanta Falcon's logo did before they had the good sense to redo their design in slight 3D relief.
Penn State, Ohio State, Kansas and Florida Atlantic?
Any list for the best college football uniforms must include Clemson, Florida State and West Virginia. Three of the most recognizable and best helmets in the country.
AYKM? how do you not have Penn State number 1? so many high schools across theland that have a blue and white color scheme copy those unis, with the black shoes. They are by far the best uniforms in all of sports.
Let's be honest now. There is none that belong in the top 25. They all rank a YAWN, and nothing more. You would do better to list the 25 Worst. GO BUCKY Hey Cub fans, was that Bartman I saw on Addison yesterday
Even though I dislike Bobby Bowden, I gotta agree with the guy that said FSU. Also, what about Texas A&M? Great traditional colors, no changes and a good helmet logo.
The OLE MISS REBELS used to have one of the coolest old style uniforms. EBLEEPally the helmets "UNTIL" the NAACP and the like started raising heck about a little man with a confederate flag. Like I said it used to look really cool. Now the hats simply say OLE MISS. That will eventually be gone I am sure along with the word Rebels. I guess we will need bigger helmets so we can just put MISSISSIPPI on them.
Proud to be a REBEL.
GO REBS!!! NO respect down here. To heck with that backstabbing Tuberville, the maskot killers, and the racist that stole our flag.
Georga pulls off Silver & Red better than the Buckeyes? Last I checked, all they had on their unis were GREY PANTS. The rest is red, black, and white. Silver (helmet)/Grey (pants) is dominant in Ohio State's uniform. If you look at OSU's home game jerseys up close, you'll notice that the numbers have a grey hue as well. Georgia = Red & Black. Ohio St = Scarlet & Grey. Get it right before you make stupid comments.
Last edited by Columbus Devil on August 30th at 6:46 AM.
Although I'm partial to Texas Tech's all-black home attire, I'm cool with this list... up until Michigan being at #1. I don't even place that uniform in the top 10.
Can't argue with your choices, but the 'Cuse dropped Orangemen in favor of just plain Orange at least a year ago. If you are going to be hip you at least have to get the mascots right!
You have got to be kidding me!!
Penn State??? Army???? ND????? Ohio State???
Whats your best NFL uniform the Cleveland Browns? they have a orange helmet with a stripe in the middle.
I understand beauty is in the eye of the beholder but come on, you chose 10 of the blandest uni's in college football, I realize these teams are in the top 25 and maybe thats all you watch, but for those of us who have game plan a helmet with a stripe down the middle doesnt work all the time.
Here's just a sample, of soem mid majors you might not have heard of.
By the way Oklahoma and Nebraska are the same style how can one be better than the other?
This is not in order
Colorado State- The rams horns are painted on the helmets instead of the sitcker which most teams use.
Colorado- The Black and Gold is the same as Army but has the CU buff logo on the side which is a good piece of art work.
Oregon- They have to be on there because you don't know what you will get week to week but some combos work others don't.
Rice- The wings on the helmet are detailed and the purple helmets and uni's make the team look good.
UTEP-Similar colors to the Cuse but the UTEP on the side of the helmet blows matches the colors and really makes UTEP look good.
USF-The green and gold pants combo with the logo of the bull ring on the side of the helemet should land them many recruits.
Washington State- Crimson and Grey add style to Pullman but a Cougar that doubles as WSU is creative nonetheless.
Finally Hawaii- The Warriors have added a traditional "tribal pattern" on the pants and
Are you serious? Az St ugly, FAU, seen high school unis better than that, LUS bad, tooo much yellow, Syracuse gross. Have you enve looked at the new TX A&M unis by adidas? Classic stripe down leg, classic maroon & white with gray outline of numbers, black cleats. List is flawed
Finally Hawaii- The Warriors have added a traditional "tribal pattern" on the pants and the dark green with the black will make Cole Brennen shine with the best of the Heisman candidates.
Just some thoughts from off the top of my head as really at FOX to see how I can watch the Utah OSU game tonight any ideas. I live in the midwest and its going to be the best game of the night.
The only place where Big Blue or any other Big Eleven football team might, and let me repeat, might be number 1... Go play somebody on the road Big Eleven...
You've got to be kidding me on that giant rant, except for Colorado which is pretty classy. Most of the list are timeless classics. Stodgy, maybe, but they're good to the point of not needing to change...
Rice - No longer has the wings on their hemets, they've had some lame logo of late, and I think they're going to the R this year.
Oregon - hideous in every way. They've simply BLEEPd themeselves out to Nike. Its like some sick experiment.
Utep? - They look like Houston from Rollerball. James Caan anyone? Arena football unis.
Wassu - They sport both Maroon and silver helmets, they also seem to favor the leotard effect with the BLEEP jersey/pants combo.
Sub in Florida State for FAU and its a good list
Last edited by thehater on August 30th at 7:52 AM.
I'm an USC alum, but I have no problem with Michigan being #1. The other test should be how their away uniforms hold up. Michigan and SC are great and LSU has the always white Dallas Cowboys thing going. Always liked UCLA's (amazing for a Trojan) but their road uniforms are weak. Pick a color and stick with it. Are you light blue (Larry Brown era), sky blue, royal blue (road unis), or navy (UCLA script on helmet)? UCLA screwed up big with abandoning the tradition of having both USC and UCLA wearing their home uniforms in the cross-town rivalry game. Good move by going to the Rose Bowl, weak that they didn't want to have both teams wear their home colors. Pete Carroll wants to bring this back.
Also, where is Florida State? Great colors, and gold helmets always a plus. If I was starting an expansion pro team, this would be the look I'd go for. Do I sense a "PC" judge not liking the Native American thing? However, only when they wear gold pants. Hate the matching dark pant and jersey combo.
Georgia DOESN'T do red and silver better than Ohio State. Silver helmets matching the pants is better. Also, everytime I see the "G" on the helmet, it reminds me of Green Bay. Teams should have their own logos and uniforms. That's why Iowa doesn't cut it with their Steeler uniforms.
The only unis better than Penn State's (shown here) are Penn State's away game unis. They are all crispy white at the beginning of the game and covered with mud and blood at the end. And, they make those high top blck shoes stand out even more. What's the matter nole4life29, still can't get over the Orange Bowl loss?? I do think FSU should have made this list, however.
Are you kidding me? Syracuse and Tennessee should not even be on this list. Tennessee looks as bad as the Tampa Bay Bucaneers old uniforms - terrible and non-intimidating. Same goes for North Carolina. Virginia is very average looking also.
Have you ever heard of the Oregon Ducks? Anyone of their 5 uniforms would be most of these teams out.
Next time have someone with fashion sense edit your list.
WHAT? No Oregon State in their ALL Black (pants, jerseys and helmet) with the orange accents?
Teams they faced with that combo have stated "it is intimidating" to say the least!
Ohio State behind Michigan and Penn State is a miserable misjustice. M helmets the ugliest in the land ans Penn St with white and blue this is just a little joke right????????
UF might not have the best looking uniforms or color combination, we should have at least been in the top 25, or is the world still mad at us for still being on top(in everything).
I would have liked to see Rutgers make the list. Their Scarlet home unis are intimidating, and their helmets are always flashy.
I don't believe Michigan should be anywhere near the top, but I do agree with the plain, classic look being "in."
One team that I am soooo glad didn't make the list is Oregon. It just hurts my eyes! And my stomache....Disgusting! They all look like like they want to do a runway walk at a "What Not To Wear" showcase....
This is a stupid article - who are the "on high" persons who determined this list? The Gators blue uniforms are awesome; the Clemson Tigers new "purple flurp" uniforms are fun and who in the world thinks that maroon works at any level? Tennessee's orange is so dingy it looks like they never clean them! If you want to write an article like this, you best be polling -- and I'd even go so far as to poll the men against the women. How irresponsible of you!
As a BYU fan, I agree that going back to the old style is way better than the Nike design. I also thought I would throw out my vote for the ugliest uniforms: University of Wyomimg. Can it get any worse?
I can relate to AC's comments regarding Syracuse and Tennessee.... c'mon and NC do they even field a team. The one uniform that is appropriate is the yellow of USC... especially on Sept 15th when they are shocked at the HuskerNation and run for the coast. Yellow Bellies.
My "Oregon" thoughts. Even though I'm a traditionist and not a fan of green, I love the helmets. The uniforms just go too far. Adding the "steelplate" design and the florenscent yellow was too much. However, I bet when the Michigan helmets were first introduced they were thought of as weird. Now they are #1.
And my vote for the worse uniform goes to Virgina Tech. Maroon and Orange has got to be the ugliest combo.
Oh, and "Zealots", the only color you'll see Sept. 15th is the Huskers RED....their red blood spilled out on the field from the massacre. :)
Great debate topic, and most of this list cannot be denied,except for the order. Here's my list:
10. North Carolina - The baby blue home uniforms are a good look on television, without question.
9. Penn State - The plainest look ever, but yet is so distinguished. The all white is the ultimate road uniform.
8. Notre Dame - The lean gold embossing of the numerals on the road jerseys make a classic look, even if you hate the Irish.
7. USC - The fact that there is no white in their home getup whatsoever makes their uniform an eye opener. Does anyone notice that their facemasks are gray? Nice.
6. Texas - The all white with the burnt orange lettering and numbering with one of the best helmet logos ever is a sweet look - except for Sooner fans.
5. Michigan - the same reasons as USC, but blue and bright yellow is just a football color scheme. Plus, the helmet logo is timeless; any other school that wears it is considered a fake Michigan.
4. Virginia Tech - The maroon and orange with the VT logo on the helmet is outstanding. The single stripes throughout the jersey makes for a futuristic look.
3. Miami(FL) - Whether they wear the orange or the green home jerseys, all of their color matchups work well. With all due respect to Auburn and Texas, Miami has the best all white uniform.
2. Alabama - Simple and strong. The deep crimson with bold numbering, the signature numbers on the helmet, and the traditional two stripes on the white pants make this a great representative of college football.
1. Florida State - The best combination of tradition and future.
Last edited by Jayharris78 on August 30th at 9:49 AM.
Kansas, FAU, and Ga Southern...WHAT? No FSU or UF??? I'm not a UF fan at all, but both those uniforms are universally recognizable, I mean come on. And as for not having the classic combo of Garnet & Gold, I just don't see how this is possible. Sacriledge! FSU has the best combo (and best looking logo, no need to be PC about it) in college football, and a good-lookin' combo it is- especially with that arrowhead on the helmet. And there's no way UGA's uniforms beat Ohio State's, nope. Otherwise...fun article; decent choices.
Welcome, weary traveler, to the intersection of Stupid and Cool. And by "Stupid and Cool" we mean, mostly, "Stupid."
Anyhow, my name's Dayn Perry, and, as the Video Professor is wont to say, "Try my product."
Arizona State 
Florida Atlantic 
Oklahoma
Kansas
Brigham Young
Tennessee
Nebraska
LSU
North Carolina
Washington
Notre Dame
Army
Georgia Southern
Texas
Auburn
Ohio State
Penn State
Alabama
UCLA
Georgia
Yale
Virginia
Syracuse
USC
Michigan
