OT- Oregon unis

Submitted by Section 1 on
I seem to hear a lot of complaints about the mix 'n match Oregon uniforms. It's actually impossible to say whether or not you like any particular Oregon team uniform, because next week will look entirely different.

I just thought that on this board, it is an interesting question, to ask if you like "the idea" of Oregon's ever-changing flexible wardrobe of uniforms. Because it really is just an idea.

And I love it. NOT for Michigan, of course. Not for Notre Dame, or Navy (Army's camo variants have been cool). Not for Nebraska or Oklahoma, or Texas or any of about 90% of college football.

But I remember when Bobby Moore was playing for Oregon, before he changed his name to Ahmad Rashad, and Dan Fouts, and Oregon's football uniforms were crap. Oregon always had crappy-looking uniforms.

This idea should of course never be contemplated for a team like Michigan. But for Oregon, I really like it. (I particuarly like the "Carbon" helmet today.) It's different.

Bryan

December 4th, 2010 at 6:01 PM ^

My buddy and I had a long texting conversation today of which helmet is better, the Oregon carbon fiber silver or the matte black Oregon State helmet. We ended up agreeing on the carbon fiber design, but I still think the Oregon matter black helmets from last season are my favorite.*

*Winged helmets are not included in this post. 

Section 1

December 4th, 2010 at 6:08 PM ^

And it is a takeoff on "Form follows function."  (Thank you, Mr. van de Rohe.)  In Oregon's case, form also follows function.  The Nike fashion show that is Oregon in NCAA competition is the direct result of old Oregon track man and hanger-on, Phil Knight, who may be more responsible than Chip Kelly for Oregon being where it is today in NCAA football. 

Section 1

December 4th, 2010 at 6:25 PM ^

What Oregon is doing, like with "Carbon" helmets, is phenomenally cool at one level.  And yet, whatever happened to green and yellow, on a day like today?  Your point is perfectly valid.

It is a paradigm-shift in the thinking of sports team uniforms as iconic brands. 

Would anybody do this to the Green Bay Packers, with their identical colors?  Never.  Wisconsin would erupt in civil disorder.

As I say, it's kind of nice... for the Oregon Ducks.  Not to be repeated elsewhere, with very, very, very few exceptions

Tater

December 4th, 2010 at 7:34 PM ^

First, the disclaimers: I am going to make a few generalities here.  I fully understand that generalities aren't all-inclusive, and that they don't describe everyone.  I also understand that I can't speak for anyone but myself, but I do want to point out some patterns.

Because of Michigan's tradition, many older Michigan fans are by nature very "old school" in a sporting sense.  In particular,old school fans believe in one basic rule: no taunting.  It's like preferring that after a TD, the person who scored it gives the ball to the refs and "pretends he's been there before."  Sometimes, though, the flashy unis seem almost like an arrogant, pre-game form of taunting. 

I try to be open to change, so as not to become what I call a BOF, or "bitter old fuck."   Consequently, I am able to not have an emotional investment in special game unis.  Except, of course, when OSU wears them.  Then, they "become" the "purest form of evil" and "everything that is wrong with modern football."  I see them as a part of the game that I don't necessarily agree with, but don't allow to detract from my experience after the game actually starts.

I wonder how I would react if Michigan started wearing different unis every week?  And I wonder how the rest of the fanbase would?  I'm guessing the younger fans would be more adaptable to change, while the older fans might take awhile to "come on board."  If Michigan won a few big games in comic book uniforms, though, I have a feeling even the BOF's would decide they were OK. 

I used to think Michigan would never "stoop to that level," but I'm not sure anymore.  If DB gets an "offer he can't refuse," I am guessing there will be a major paragidm shift in the Big House.  And then, eventually, the comic book unis won't seem so "bad" anymore.  Until then, though, there will still be outrage from the "traditionalists" among the fanbase.

So, to summarize, to traditionalists, comic book unis are evil.  To people who haven't had "old school" drummed into their heads for years and years, they probably seem benign or even "cool."  I am guessing, though, that everyone will wear them in another five years, and they will lose their uniqueness, thus revoking their ability to evoke a negtive reaction from anyone who hasn't just woken up out of a ten year coma. 

MaizeAndBlueWahoo

December 4th, 2010 at 6:43 PM ^

Maybe I'm stodgy, but I hate the Nike-fueled trend toward I'm-a-fukkin-wikked-azz-WARRIOR uniforms in college football.  Fukkin blakk iz badazzzzzzzz, right?  Get off my goddamn lawn with this shit.  UVA does a sort of Oregon-lite with mix-and-match in three different colors and no changes to the helmet (so far) and that's as far as I like to see it go and believe me I have absolutely no problem with U-M's one-look-for-all-occasions approach.  In fact I like it.  I mean, you have school colors for a reason, and no, it doesn't work even for Oregon.  Probably this is my Michigan bias coming out, but your helmet is your identity, and they have five.  So basically they have no identity, as far as I'm concerned.  One day they're Oregon, next week they're the Oakland Raiders, next they're the Stay-Puft marshmallow man.

tpilews

December 4th, 2010 at 6:39 PM ^

I haven't liked many of the combinations I've seen from Oregon, but I love today's look. Helmets are nice and the subtle hint of green around the numbers is a nice touch. Very cool look. I've normally liked the matte black helmets, but I don't like the look or OSU's. That stripe is bad. They need some type of logo on the side to complete it.

Timnotep

December 4th, 2010 at 7:15 PM ^

Oregon can literally go six and a half seasons (with conference championship game and bowl game... so 14 games per season) without wearing the same combo twice I believe

Ed Shuttlesworth

December 4th, 2010 at 7:59 PM ^

As long as there wasn't some crazy font or stripe or pattern involved, I'd have no problem whatsoever if we started mixing and matching white, maize, and blue jerseys and pants.

NOLAWolverine

December 4th, 2010 at 8:48 PM ^

At this point, Oregon's identity is having all of these crazy combo's. Some of them are awesome, some are awful. Either way, I think its pretty awesome for Oregon. However, it must suck for Oregon fans who want to buy a jersey, since there are so many different types. I wonder if Oregon fans bet on what the combo for each game?

jmblue

December 4th, 2010 at 9:12 PM ^

 It's actually impossible to say whether or not you like any particular Oregon team uniform.

Incorrect.  It's entirely possible. 

Brewcityitalian

December 4th, 2010 at 10:59 PM ^

I am willing to bet they will have a new jersey for the BCS Title game !

they also are really creative with their new upcoming basketball court at the new B ball they have or will be having soon

Must be nice having all that Nike money !