College Football 2014 Uniwatch

Submitted by ChiCityWolverine on

I know we all love talking uniforms around these parts. ESPN's uniform analyst columnist Paul Lukas has a nice rundown of most of the changes throughout college football heading into the 2014 season. Michigan bits (UTL uniforms, replacing "Michigan" on helmet bumper to the block M) have already been covered here, but it's always interesting to see the new crop of unifroms.

Link: http://espn.go.com/college-football/story/_/id/11383656/uni-watch-2014-college-football-preview-covers-every-stitch

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JClay

August 25th, 2014 at 4:41 PM ^

Exploitation. Something that the university doesn't profit from -- since they don't sell the patches -- and is probably responsible for more fans being able to list those honored players and their numbers than ever before is exploitation. Oooook there, buddy.

Joined: 09/14/2010

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MI Expat NY

August 25th, 2014 at 3:49 PM ^

I think it's generally a good idea if you're doing it the way Clemson is doing it.  Patch goes with the number, give the number to freshmen who want it.  Maybe keep the number from walkons who are never expected to contribute, but whatever you do, don't hold onto the number and then give it to an upperclassman as some form of an honor.  

 

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MaizeAndBlueWahoo

August 25th, 2014 at 2:52 PM ^

Starting to get the notion that much of these changes are due to Nike and adidas employing a lot of people and needing some way to keep them busy.

Nike's "every number font must be different and every uniform must tell a story" thing is awful.   The fastest way to make a uniform ugly is to have ugly numbers.  The example they gave is Syracuse - the slopey lines in the numbers are at 44 degrees to honor the number 44.  But you would never know that unless someone told you, which is to say that Nike is a miserable failure at having the uniform tell the story.

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MaizeAndBlueWahoo

August 26th, 2014 at 8:32 AM ^

I disagree for the simple reason that the sheer volume of one-offs, "alternates", and inky-dinky little tweaks is overwhelming.  Things like a solid gray uniform at Kentucky for no other reason than it's trendy are proof positive that Nike's designers have too much time on their hands.

I miss when you could turn on the TV and immediately know who's playing without having to figure out whether it's BlakkOutzz Nyte at Rutgers, Texas Tech throwbacks, or Oregon trying to pretend they're the Raiders again.

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UAUM

August 25th, 2014 at 3:00 PM ^

Why don't we do a helmet sticker or patch that says Team 135 or 135 Years, and do it every 5 years, or maybe every year.  Seems like we're a leader in that category, and that's how Hoke calls each team.

Joined: 11/03/2010

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Tuebor

August 25th, 2014 at 2:54 PM ^

Every school that went back to a traditional look appears to be an improvement, even if it is just a number font change.  Especially Toledo IMO.  Akron's new jerseys make them look like ND wannabes though. 

Joined: 03/14/2011

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micheq

August 25th, 2014 at 3:20 PM ^

Yeah, my biggest takeaway was admiration for the programs that made a change to go back to a traditional design (I never realized the UCLA numbering was gone -- good that they went back). 

And though I'd prefer ND be humiliated by changing their standard jersey to that ridiculous one with the shamrock on the helmet that they wore against us a few years ago, it reflects well on UA that they didn't mess with ND's standard uniform.  Only during that epic tilt against Purdue will they roll out special uniforms and look especially foolish.

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ijohnb

August 25th, 2014 at 2:57 PM ^

just something wrong with traditional powers with awesome uniforms like Michigan and Nebraska coming out with these things.  I know I know, the players love them(allegedly), but they just look so generic.

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Avant's Hands

August 25th, 2014 at 3:07 PM ^

Also noticed Clemson doing the legends jerseys. I wonder if that will turn into a bit of a trend in coming years. 

And I hate to admit this publicly, but I actually like NC St and UAB's new helmets. For them, anyway. I would not want to see a "classic" team wearing something like that, but for schools without a whole lot of tradition it can be fun to see some unique things. 

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Bryan

August 25th, 2014 at 3:11 PM ^

Seems like they would mention the defending national champion will be wearing a new uniform, but I guess that post got in the way of Virgina's 92 ACC logo variations. 

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M-Dog

August 25th, 2014 at 3:18 PM ^

"Florida and Georgia will both be wearing their home jerseys when they face off against each other on Nov. 1. Florida AD Jeremy Foley said in this Q&A session, "To be honest, a fan suggested it. He sent me a picture of what they used to do when Coach Spurrier was playing. He had a blue jersey on and whoever was tackling him had a red jersey on. It's a unique rivalry and just a little different something to do." 
 
This is something I've been wanting Michigan and Ohio State to do for a long time.  If you want a throwback, this is a real throwback.  This is how they used to do it before black and white TV in the 50's caused them to change it.
 
The game accounts of the dedication of Michigan Stadium in 1927 against Ohio State talk about the Buckeyes' scarlet jerseys at the game in Ann Arbor.
 
The contrast between the blue Michigan jerseys and the red Ohio State jerseys would work very well every time they play.  They should start this year as far as i am concerned.
 
 
 

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LSAClassOf2000

August 25th, 2014 at 4:19 PM ^

Between the VERY read alternate uniforms for Nebraska and the wall of orange that will undoubtedly comprise the Illinois bench, there will be very few retinas spared in that game. Sunglasses may be required for that one, even if it is cloudy and raining. 

Also, did the ACC conference patch give anyone else the vibe of a cryptic corporate logo from a dystopian future?

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LSAClassOf2000

August 25th, 2014 at 6:46 PM ^

If it is allowed, I shall redeem myself in my next post by numbering the lines so you can then more easily follow the MLA guidelines for explicating poetry or whatever would suit your requirements best. I mean, I wouldn't want to disappoint someone so discerning when it comes to posting style.

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M-Dog

August 25th, 2014 at 4:56 PM ^

There is no such thing as an "Oregon uni"  Any uniform out there can and eventually will be an "Oregon uni".  Mark my words, one day they will trot out of Autzen wearing maize and blue unis with winged helmets.    

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CLord

August 25th, 2014 at 5:35 PM ^

Only one that jumped out were how hideously hideous Arizona State's unis were.  Perhaps to counterbalance the polar opposite reaction to seeing their coeds.

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Bando Calrissian

August 25th, 2014 at 7:47 PM ^

All of these changes... So many of them totally ridiculous.

I can really envision a day when the NCAA will clamp down and stop teams from having umpteen jersey combinations, goofy helmet variations, etc. and try to even the playing field a bit. And they'd be (for once) right. This is getting absurd, to the verge of going way too far.

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Don

August 25th, 2014 at 8:16 PM ^

that he doesn't care if we wear pink tu-tus as long as we win? Man, people are getting lazy around here and taking their jobs for granted.

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