There’s something special about Saturday’s in the fall. The pageantry, traditions, and the excitement is unique in American sports. Schools have gone one of two ways with their uniforms. The blue bloods usually go with a traditional look. Ohio State’s biggest uniform change in the last 50 years was taking silver striping off the shoulder. Those new to the top of college football, or looking to find their place use uniforms as a recruiting tactic. Schools like Oregon and Maryland rarely were the same combination twice in the same season. But what are the best college football uniforms? That’s a nuanced question. I think it’s a combination of color scheme, uniqueness, and a winning recent history. The last might seem unfair. But it’s tough to look cool when you’re getting blown out. Although there will be one school that’s been down for the last decade.
The best college football uniforms change with the times. I’m a big fan of subtle changes to classic uniforms. Michigan is the perfect example of that. Changing their helmets from the shiny blue to the matte blue updated the whole look of the program. It’s probably a coincidence that they started making the playoff once the change came to the helmet. But what did Deion Sanders say about looking good? The complete overhauls of classic designs stink. The one time a year when Miami wears the all black uniforms I want to punch my television. But more on them later. Let’s get into it. The best college football uniforms ahead of the 2023 season.
18. Penn State
(Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
I don’t hold it against Penn State that they have basically had the same threads for the last 50 years. It would look weird if Penn State tried to turn into Oregon with a new look every week. They are instantly recognizable to the average fan. Never change Penn State.
17. Alabama
(Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Very similar to Penn State. Alabama is a instantly recognizable brand, and the simplicity of the uniform is part of that brand. It’s a no nonsense program who’s uniform reflect that.
16. Georgia
(Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
I love the UGA uniform. They will change the font of the numbers to say with the times, and include a black uniform every once in a while. I think what gives the dawgs and edge over the previous two schools is what they look like in their road top. The white top with grey pants is just a little better looking than the all white look.
15. Nebraska
(Photo by Eric Francis/Getty Images)
Sure they haven’t won recently. But the history of Nebraska football is as good as any other school’s. The simplicity of the “N” on the side of the helmet and the bright red pops.
14. UNC
(Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
One of the most iconic color combinations in college sports. They don’t have the on the field success as the other schools on this list, but the Carolina blue and white is a clean look and when they incorporate the navy blue… oopf. They all look good.
13. Washington
(Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
Most schools say they are purple and gold when in fact their colors are purple and yellow. THAT is gold right there. This doesn’t have the traditional feel of some of the other uniforms, but man they look good.
12. Ohio State
(Photo by Ben Jackson/Getty Images)
A lot like Georgia with the grey pants, but the helmet is what does it for me. As the season progresses I become a bigger fan of the Buckeyes threads as the helmets get filled up with buckeye decals.
11. Clemson
(Photo by Eakin Howard/Getty Images)
Talk about a unique color combo- orange and purple. That’s half of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. This is a really clean uniform and the orange helmets really pops. I do wish they incorporated a bit more purple. But it’s still a great look every Saturday.
10. Florida
(Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)
Orange and blue belongs to the Gators. They struck gold with the cursive “GATORS” on the helmet, and the orange provides enough pop to the uniform to make it stand out. This is one of those programs that should never change their football appearance (you hear that Florida State?).
9. UCLA
(Photo by Sam Wasson/Getty Images)
I am a big fan of the gold and blue. Few teams in the country use the “Vegas gold” that UCLA uses, and that powder blue looks great with the gold.
8. Miami
(Photo by Eric Espada/Getty Images)
I usually do not like Adidas uniforms. I think they try too hard… most of the time. That’s not the case for The U. Adidas went back to the 1980’s look and Miami looks (at least before the game) like they did in their heyday.
7. Ole Miss
(Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
You might be sensing a trend at this pint; I like powder/light blue. Ole Miss introducing the powder blue was a huge success, and the program has experienced a slight up tick since the new look.
6. Texas
(Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
Texas is one of those handful of programs that should never ever change their football uniform. The simplicity of the uniform with the unique “burnt orange” is instantly identifiable.
5. Michigan
(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
The maize and blue is an iconic look that Michigan owns. The winged football helmet adds to the classic look that Michigan rolls out every weekend. And they improved it by making it matte a few years ago.
4. Oregon
(Photo by Ali Gradischer/Getty Images)
Somehow Oregon football has turned their identity into unique combinations every week. They are identifiable because we never know what they’ll look like. Not all the new looks land, but they’ve done enough to show they know what their doing with their look on the gridiron.
3. Notre Dame
(Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images)
Should aliens present themselves (they’re here, don’t play yourself) to us and ask “What is college football?” I think showing them a video of Notre Dame football is a great spot. They are college football royalty and the gold puts that on full display.
2. LSU
(Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
There is not another lookalike in college football. LSU goes against the grain and wears white tops instead of a school color. And it works for them.
1. USC
(Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)
I love everything about this uniform. The simplicity, the cleanness, and the logo on the helmet is all chefs kiss. USC is knocking on the door of the college football elite with Lincoln Riley in charge, and when they get there they will look the part.
