Updated Big Ten football helmet rankings for 2025
Updated Big Ten football helmet rankings for 2025 Traditional looks continue to lead the Big Ten in style points.
The Big Ten is home to some of college football's true blueblood programs and some of the most traditional uniforms and helmets. From storied programs like Penn State, Michigan, and Ohio State and Western powers like Oregon and USC, the Big Ten has spanned the nation to take ownership of some of the best looks in the sport of college football. But which Big Ten program has the best helmet design?
Naturally, this conversation should lead to some debates and homer picks, and I am not about to suggest this list will be any different. As a college football connoisseur and a fan of the history and tradition of the sport, I have my own list of preferences when it comes to the best looks in the game. Perhaps my updated look at my Big Ten helmet power rankings for 2025 will surprise you a bit, or perhaps some of the results will be expected. Regardless, I did feel the urge to make a couple of small differences to this year's Big Ten helmet rankings compared to my ranking in 2024. So, who is trending up and who is falling?
Here is my updated ranking of the Big Ten's helmets for the 2025 season.
18. Nebraska Cornhuskers
2024 ranking: 18
A year ago I ranked Nebraska at the bottom of the helmet power rankings. As much as I have respect for the history and tradition of Nebraska football, I still firmly believe it is time for the program to give the helmet a little bit of an upgrade. The simple block "N" slapped on the side of the helmet looks uninspired and in painful need of a font upgrade of some sort. Maybe I am being too disrespectful to the Nebraska look, or maybe that just speaks to the depth of the Big Ten helmet collection ahead of it.
For more Nebraska news, analysis, and opinions, visit Cornhuskers Wire
17. Northwestern Wildcats
2024 ranking: 17
Northwestern remains just ahead of Nebraska in this year's update to the Big Ten helmet power rankings. The Wildcats have explored some alternate helmet designs in recent years, and most have been pretty solid. From the white helmet with purple logo and a black helmet, Northwestern manages to make purple work well. In fact, the standard purple helmet may not even be the best helmet for Northwestern. But it is unique.
16. Rutgers Scarlet Knights
2024 ranking: 16
Rutgers is another program that has a fairly standard look and has modified the color scheme at times. Like Nebraska, Rutgers is playing with red and white but the Rutgers letter mark logo has a more distinguished look than what Nebraska is offering. As a result, Rutgers manages to stay out of the bottom spot in the Big Ten helmet rankings.
2024 ranking: 15
Illinois is a program that is continuing to try and build something up on the football field, and some of that work has gone into updating the identity of the program. The Illini have worn a variety of helmets lately, some better and more notable than others, like the script "Illinois" worn in the bowl game last season. Here's hoping the script "Illinois" makes some more appearances, but the Illini are a potential team to move up if they can find one look to stick.
14. Indiana Hoosiers
2024 ranking: 14
My sentiment on Indiana having an underrated look remains the same, but last year the Hoosiers fought tooth and nail for respectability on the field as well. Indiana's "IU" interlocking logo on the helmet continues to look good on the crimson helmet and I see no reason for the Hoosiers to go away from that look. The uniforms may be another story for some, but the Indiana helmet is just fine the way it is.
13. Purdue Boilermakers
2024 ranking: 13
Purdue's look is stronger than its performance on the field most year, and that may once again be the case in 2025. In the state of Indiana, Purdue gets the upper hand on the helmet power ranking with its gold helmet and black logo, but the Hoosiers will likely still control the scoreboard at the end of the year. Purdue does have some alternate options, like a black helmet. This is a solid secondary option for the Boilermakers.
12. Minnesota Golden Gophers
2024 ranking: 12
Minnesota's helmets are a bit polarizing with some being absolutely fantastic and others, not so much. Sometimes I feel as though Minnesota tries too much, but that is just what should be expected from a program led by PJ Fleck. We'll see what the Gophers roll out this season, but their simpler options tend to be their most respectable looks..
11. Wisconsin Badgers
2024 ranking: 9
There is a bit of a change in the Big Ten helmet rankings for 2025, and the first culprit is Wisconsin. Wisconsin takes a slight step back in this year's rankings, and perhaps it is time to admit that Wisconsin's look may be in need of a revision. Wisconsin's flying "W" is iconic and unique, but is it time to give it a fresh update? Is there anything that can be done to breathe new life into the Badgers with their look and performance on the field in 2025?
For more Wisconsin news, analysis, and opinions, visit Badgers Wire.
2024 ranking: 8
Iowa still has one of the best logos, and their Pittsburgh Steelers color combo still manages to work for the progam in 2025. Iowa does take a step down in this year's updated Big Ten helmet power rankings but only because the next two schools are deserving of moving up.
For more Iowa news, analysis, and opinions, visit Hawkeyes Wire.
9. Maryland Terrapins
2024 ranking: 11
The first school moving up and into the top 10 this year is Maryland. The Maryland helmets and uniforms have been scrutinized for years, going back to the introduction of the state pride uniform and helmet combo, but the Terrapins have evolved and found a classic look that fits in well in their Big Ten surroundings. The "Terps" on the side of the helmet is perfect for the program and works best on the red helmet. But Maryland's white alternate helmet with red "Terps" looks great too. Just stay away from the black look, Maryland.
8. Washington Huskies
2024 ranking: 10
Also moving up this year is second-year Big Ten member Washington. I really liked Washignton's helmet look coming into the conference and my fondness has grown a bit one year on. Washington's gold helmet is the best look for the Huskies, although they have experimented with a couple of alternate looks like others on this list too. But when Washington sticks to the basics, it works best.
For more Washington news, analysis, and opinions, visit Huskies Wire.
7. UCLA Bruins
2024 ranking: 7
UCLA basically does everything Washignton does with their gold helmets, but the UCLA script looks better. UCLA doesn't need to do much to their helmet to make it look great, and straying away from this classic look is ill-advised for the Bruins.
For more UCLA news, analysis, and opinions, visit Bruins Wire.
6. Michigan State Spartans
2024 ranking: 6
Some may say Michigan State should consider replacing the logo on the helmet in favor of something else. To that I say, are you nuts? Michigan State's Sparty logo on the side looks great, no matter if it is a white logo on a green helmet or vice versa. Both look solid for the Spartans.
For more Michigan State news, analysis, and opinions, visit Spartans Wire.
5. Oregon Ducks
2024 ranking: 5
Oregon made a big splash in its first season in the Big Ten in 2024, running through the conference to a Big Ten championship and the top seed in the College Football Playoff. And of course, they did so in their signature modern look. Choosing one Oregon helmet is impossible because the Ducks make multiple options look great. The variety is a detriment for some programs, but not for Oregon. No matter which dome they choose, it's going to look great.
But the top spots in the Big Ten remain reserved for some of the more classic and iconic looks.
For more Oregon news, analysis, and opinions, visit Ducks Wire.
4. USC Trojans
2024 ranking: 4
USC's first season in the Big Ten may not have gone according to plan, but at least they looked good. The classic look of the Trojans stands the test of time and there is a reason you do not see the Trojans mess with their look. The classic golden yellow trojan logo still looks iconic on the side of the Cardinal-colored helmet. There is nothing USC should ever do to this look.
For more USC news, analysis, and opinions, visit Trojans Wire.
3. Ohio State Buckeyes
2024 ranking: 3
Ohio State may have been the kings of the college football world in the 2024 season, but their helmets still managed to only crack the top three in the Big Ten in 2025. There is no mistaking the Ohio State helmet with its simple gray helmet and scarlet striping, complete with Buckeye stickers for players making notable plays. Ohio State's look is a simple and straightforward take, and it works very well. This is why it is frustrating when the program opts for an alternate look, because the traditional helmet needs no substitute.
For more Ohio State news, analysis, and opinions, visit Buckeyes Wire.
2. Michigan Wolverines
2024 ranking: 2
Just as they have on the field in recent years, Michigan gets the upper hand on Ohio State in this year's Big Ten helmet rankings. The signature winged helmet pattern remains as iconic as ever for the Wolverines, and the look still manages to command respect whenever it makes an appearance on the field.
For more Michigan news, analysis, and opinions, visit Wolverines Wire.
1. Penn State Nittany Lions
2024 ranking: 1
You knew this one was coming. How could you not? Penn State's simple white helmet and blue stripe is as perfectly minimalistic as they come, and has proven to stand the test of time from generation to generation. Why mess with absolute perfection? Yes, Penn State does modify this look for the generations of greatness look typically seen around homecoming, but even that manages to look great. Penn State doesn't need to dazzle you with its helmet, and that remains the truth in 2025.
Follow Kevin McGuire on Threads, Bluesky, Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook.
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