Who has the best college football uniforms? Top 25 looks, ranked
College football is steeped in pageantry, and there may not be a better way to display it than with uniforms. With 136 teams in the Bowl Subdivision, no two uniforms are ever the same, adding a layer of uniqueness to every school.
Yet some stand out above the rest. Whether it's sticking to a traditional look or taking a bold risk to modernize the fit, there's a wide range of styles that have asserted themselves among the best in college football. It only takes one quick look to recognize what team is on the screen and realize there aren't many looks that can top it.
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So which college football uniforms are the best?
They have certainly evolved over the 21st century. Gone are the days of just two uniform sets, with nearly every team having a plethora of alternate options or special editions. With so many possible styles, USA TODAY Sports will base its rankings on the primary home and away uniforms.
It's no coincidence that most of the teams leading the uniform rankings are among the most successful in the sport. Whether it's the crisp jersey design or the unforgettable helmet decal, these uniforms have been featured in some of the most iconic moments in the sport, thus propelling them into a nationally recognizable style.
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25. Colorado
The Buffaloes have gone through several uniform combinations — especially under Deion Sanders — that have been solid, but the classic black and gold look is still elite, especially with the Ralphie logo serving among the best in the sport.
24. Georgia
The Bulldogs have been the premier program in the sport this decade and have a sharp-enough look, but there's nothing remarkable about it. Having a nearly identical logo to the Green Bay Packers doesn't help, either.
23. San Diego State
One of the most distinct uniforms in college football, the attention to detail of the Aztec calendar on the helmets and shoulders is second to none. While it looks great up close, it can be tough to see from afar.
22. Hawaii
The Rainbow Warriors would be much higher if they lived up to their name and went back to their more colorful uniform template, but things aren't bad as they stand. If nothing else, they evoke memories of staying up late to watch Timmy Chang and Colt Brennan.
21. Mississippi
The script "Ole Miss" is a beauty, and it was a massive success for Mississippi to add the powder blue sets, which wouldn't be an issue if they became the primary uniforms. The powder blue helmet also works with any jersey.
20. Tennessee
The Vols are one of the preeminent brands in college football, with their checkered end zones and Power T logo giving them a distinct identity. But, man, there's only so much you can do with that pukish, obnoxious shade of orange.
19. Kansas State
Bill Snyder brought in the "Powercat" logo to usher in a new identity when he took over Kansas State in 1989. Now it's synonymous with the legendary coach every time it takes the field, and it helps purple and silver mix so well.
18. Miami
The Hurricanes' jerseys and their distinctive "U" logo will always mean something to multiple generations of fans who watched Miami become a dynasty. They've been at the mercy of some bizarre designs from Adidas, but their overall look has endured.
17. Nebraska
The Cornhuskers have had some alternate looks most traditional fans really disapproved of, and it makes sense given how the home and road uniform has stood the test of time. The "Winning Tradition" patch is also a great touch to the team's history, even if there hasn't been a whole lot of winning recently.
16. Tulane
Perhaps no school at the FBS level has a better color combination than the Green Wave's dark green and blue, which it puts to good use in some gorgeous uniforms. It doesn't hurt that the "Angry Wave," which the school adopted as its primary athletic mark in 2017, is one of the best logos in college sports.
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15. Florida
If not broken, why fix it? Florida's signature orange helmet has been around for more than 45 years and it looks just as good. Normally, it's strange to have different color helmet, jersey and pants, but it looks crisp every time the Gators take the field.
14. North Carolina
It's hard to ever go wrong with Carolina blue and white as primary colors, especially with the argyle design of the school's basketball uniforms incorporated in the design. It's fair to wonder how Bill Belichick will fare as a college head coach, but at the very least, his Tar Heels teams are going to look good.
13. Florida State
There aren't many things more intimidating than seeing the helmets with the iconic spear with the home crowd taking part in the Seminole War Chant. While it's a phenomenal look, Florida State also deserves bonus points for incorporating several elements of Seminole culture.
12. Penn State
The Nittany Lions' uniforms are proudly understated, so much so that there was some blowback when player names were added to the back of jerseys by former coach Bill O'Brien to honor players who stuck with the program through the Jerry Sandusky scandal. Is it possible they're just a little too plain, though?
11. Alabama
Much like Penn State, Alabama's look is pretty plain, but it has become synonymous with success and a scary sight to see for whoever is lined up against them. What elevates the Crimson Tide are the helmet numbers, giving a unique touch to every player and becoming part of the legacy of several stars to play in Tuscaloosa.
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10. Pittsburgh
The Panthers made the wise choice six years ago to ditch navy blue and gold for their more traditional blue and yellow combination, which gives them some of the best, most distinct uniforms in the sport. The only real knock is the jersey font, with pointed numbers that are a nod to the school's Cathedral of Learning. The thought behind it is good, but basic is sometimes better.
9. Oklahoma
There's nothing flashy about Oklahoma's uniforms, but the interlocking "OU" and Sooners across the chest is such a powerful look. The Sooners also have one of the best shades of red that isn't too dark or too bright, making it look beautiful day and night.
8. Oregon
For the better part of 30 years, the Ducks have been a walking Nike billboard, with what feels like an infinite number of uniform possibilities. Though there have been some misses along the way, they hit far more often than they miss with some of the most daring and innovative looks in the sport.
7. UCLA
The distinct shade of blue, perfect shoulder stripes and iconic script logo given the Bruins one of the best uniforms for decades, joining the already picturesque shots of the Rose Bowl. The switch to Jordan Brand has elevated this signature look further with a gold helmet and numbers that really shine.
6. LSU
Though they also have a rarely worn purple jersey, the Tigers might have the best individual uniform combo in the sport, with white jerseys, yellow pants and their yellow helmet. You can practically hear 100,000 alcohol-and-gumbo-soaked fans screaming in Death Valley whenever you see that get-up.
5. Southern California
Countless football legends have donned the perfect blend of cardinal and gold, and they have looked clean when playing in Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. The Trojan decal on the helmet that really isn't part of USC's logo identity, but it has become the signature of the football team.
4. Texas
For all their conference titles and national championships, the Longhorns' biggest accomplishment might be finding a shade of orange that actually looks good. The understated helmets with the longhorn silhouette screams college football.
3. Ohio State
A uniform that changes every week? Ohio State awards players helmet stickers for performance, and Buckeye stickers are the top ones in the sport. Seeing helmets filled with them is always a guarantee by the end of the season with Ohio State constantly in the conversation for national championships. Plus, the helmets shine and the scarlet and gray looks pristine.
2. Notre Dame
While Notre Dame's mythology can be nauseating to some, the Fighting Irish's jerseys are as clean as they are iconic. The helmets containing 23.9 karat gold is a beautiful touch and are a nod to the Golden Dome that adorns the Main Building on its campus.
1. Michigan
The most iconic look in college football: The maize and blue looks perfect together, and what really cements the Wolverines' spot at the top is the signature winged helmet that's often duplicated, but never replicated. The uniforms just scream football, so hail to the victors of college football uniform supremacy.
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