Alternative Uniforms can be Great, Just Don't Mess with Greatness: All Things CW

A new season means changes to football fashion on the field, as the struggle between tradition vs. neon continues in college athletes.

Sports Illustrated recently did an article Ranking the Top 10 New College Football Uniforms for 2023, and whenever an article comes out like this, or suggesting new helmet designs that some graphic designer came up with, I always have mixed emotions. 

Sometimes they're great, and fun, but often suggesting things that shouldn't be messed with. Call me a traditionalist, but anything with Alabama football definitely falls into that category because not only does it have one of the two best looks in college football (Penn State being the other), but the Crimson Tide is known for it. 

When you have the equivalent of the New York Yankees pinstripes in your sport, you don't mess with it. Nick Saban feels that way. Mal Moore did as well as he wouldn't even support a Alabama teams wearing black (although in 2006, football wore special commemorative crimson jerseys with houndstooth trim on the collars against Ole Miss to honor the 25th anniversary of Bryant’s 315th win —which was considered radical by the athletic director). If there was a poll among former players the guess here is that the overwhelming majoroty would say don't change a thing. 

Something Derrick Thomas once said comes to mind: “Whenever I see those crimson jerseys and crimson helmets, I feel humbled to have played football for Alabama. Other players in the NFL talk to me about their schools and their traditions, I just smile knowing the immense love Alabama fans have for our school and its football program. I’m proud to be part of that Crimson Tide heritage.”

With that in mind, though, it's hard not to like some of the new uniforms and helmets that will be worn this season. 

For example, Florida International is going with a slick alternative Miami Vice old-school look, black and neon. Normally I'm not big on bright colors that make me think of highlighters, but in this case why not? Granted, once being known as both the Sunblazers and the Golden Panthers they might want to actually include the school colors of blue and gold in any uniforms but considering that the program doesn't have much of a history it doesn't have anything to lose. 

Florida is also doing a black alternate uniform for the “Saluting Those Who Serve” game against Arkansas on Nov. 4 in Gainesville, which is a little more traditional with its coach Billy Napier. It's not exactly clear how wearing black honors those in the military, and the Gators have worn black before, so it's not exactly new. 

The same holds true for a lot of the new designs and alternative jerseys this year. Notre Dame has worn kelly green jerseys plenty of times before but now with green pants. Apparently it's been a slow summer in Indiana. 

Cincinnati went all black as it enters the Big 12, but really only some of the accents are new. Ohio State has an alternative gray jersey, instead of the partial grey it's sometimes sported before (although it does look good), and the Spartans are adding a Greek pattern on the helmet and pants stripes, plus also an alternative black uniform.  

Ohio State

In terms of bold changes, here are some that everyone should like:

• Maryland will have a script “Terps” on the helmet for its primary look.  Anything to get away from what looks like a medieval art school accident, with the alternating black-and-yellow, and red-and-white, has to be a good thing (and yes, the uniforms depicting the state flag is definitely unique, as it bears the arms and colors of the Calvert and Crossland families who founded Maryland and Baltimore).

• It's a shame that Mississippi State couldn't keep the Mike Leach tribute pirate logos. The new script “State” helmets and uniforms are both a little different and at the same time traditional. That's an important combination in that state. 

• Tennessee's all-black alternate uniform for its blackout was a great idea last year, and is perfect for night games at Neyland Stadium. Of course, it's back this year, and probably every season moving forward as the Vols finally found something that works. 

Moreover, something a lot of people never consider is having orange numbering on white is really tough to read in the press box that's so high that people can get dizzy. Orange on black is a lot easier, although again there's that whole neon highlighter thing. 

• Among UAB's new American Athletic Conference uniform combinations are gray-and-black alternate uniforms, with lime green and white accents. Some of this has been done before, but if the Blazers really feel the need to do the sleek, neon thing on occasion it's a good way to do so. 

UAB

Just please don't do anything like that with Alabama. Ever.

Christopher Walsh's notes column All Things CW regularly appears on BamaCentral. 

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