The 25 Coolest Uniform Combos of the 2011 College Football Season

The uniform in college football used to be an afterthought.  However, in this day and age, it seems the clothes on the player are almost as important as the play on the field.

Schools all around the country are spending increasing amounts of money on designing and producing several uniform options for their gridiron warriors.

In every part of the nation and every conference in the land, the college football uniform is becoming an American obsession.

So it is only fitting that we try this topic on for size:

The 25 coolest uniform combos of the 2011 college football season.

No. 25: Oregon Green, Yellow and Black

This list starts off with the team that seems to have started this modern craze—Oregon.

Team: University of Oregon

Conference: Pac-12

Record: 11-2

Bowl Game: Rose Bowl vs. Wisconsin

This combination of black pants, dark green jersey with silver wings and bright yellow numbers, along with a dark green helmet, was worn in the Pac-12 Championship against UCLA.

It looks mean and stylish all at the same time. This is the uniform that UCLA players are still having nightmares about.

The reason Oregon is considered the team that started all of this was because of their relationship with Nike.

Did you know:

A University of Oregon student named Phil Knight and a former track coach for the Ducks named Bill Bowerman founded a company called Blue Ribbon Sports.

That company later became Nike.

Bowerman developed the first rubber-soled running shoe and called it the "Oregon Waffle."  That shoe was then worn by Olympic runner Steve Prefontaine while he was a student-athlete on the Oregon track team.

No. 24: LSU Nike Combat

The LSU Tigers will soon play for it all.  Will they wear this very cool combination?

Team: Louisiana State University

Conference: SEC

Record: 13-0

Bowl Game: Allstate BCS National Championship vs. Alabama

This is one of the coolest combinations in college football, if for no other reason than the gloves that stare at you.

This eye-catching combination may not be the reason the Tigers are playing for it all, but it probably didn't hurt.

Did you know:

For those outside of LSU land, you might not know that the school was originally founded as Louisiana State Seminary of Learning and Military Academy and was located near Pineville, Louisiana.

No. 23: UNLV

UNLV makes the list at No. 23.  If you saw the old UNLV uniforms you know that the new ones are a huge improvement.

Team: UNLV

Conference: MWC

Record: 2-10

Bowl Game: They wish

Certainly these uniforms did not make the Rebels play any better, but they looked good losing. The away uniforms are just as impressive as the pictured home uniforms.

Let's just hope that the team catches up with their style.

Did you know:

Frank Sinatra was once a Foundation Board Member.  Mr. Sinatra organized two benefit shows for UNLV in the 1970s.

No word on if he did those shows his way.

No. 22: Ohio Bobcats

The Ohio Bobcats just finished their year on a high note by beating the Utah State in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl.  It was the school's first bowl game victory in history.

Team: Ohio University

Conference: MAC

Record: 10-4

Bowl Game: Famous Idaho Potato Bowl vs. Utah State

These are not the uniforms the Bobcats beat the Aggies in, but they should have been.  The patterned sleeves and dark jerseys are quite the sight.

Did you know:

Ohio University is the oldest public institution of higher learning in the state of Ohio.  It was established in 1804, and that makes it "The" Ohio University.

No. 21: Wyoming White Away

The Wyoming Cowboys make the list at No. 21.  This team surprised a lot of people this year.  It must have been the uniforms.

Team: Wyoming

Conference: MWC

Record: 8-5

Bowl Game: Gildan New Mexico Bowl  vs. Temple

The white away uniforms were one of the better combinations for the Cowboys.  However, this was only one of many new combos that designers created for the football team.

There is not much you can do with school colors like brown and gold, but they make it look good.

The team played great on the field as well, finishing third in the Mountain West Conference.  Unfortunately that success didn't translate into a bowl victory.

Did you know:

The University of Wyoming is located in Laramie, which is at 7,200 feet above sea level.  Also, the official "nickname" of the entire state is "The Cowboy State."

In Wyoming, the average temperature in the winter is 19 degrees and the average temperature in July is 67 degrees.  It is certainly not a place for those who don't like the cold.

No. 20: Oregon Classic Green

The University of Oregon makes the list yet again!

Team: Oregon

Conference: Pac-12

Record: 11-2

Bowl Game: Rose Bowl vs. Wisconsin

For the second time the Ducks make the list.

This time it is for their all-out classic green mallard look.  Dark green helmet, jersey and pants, accented by yellow numbers and silver wings.

While similar to the first Oregon uniform listed, the green pants bring a bit of a different look.

Did you know:

The film "Animal House" was filmed at UO?  More than a dozen schools turned the director down, but Oregon came to the rescue.

The University President, William P. Boyd, agreed to allow the film to be made on campus without even reading the script.

It turned out pretty good for both parties.

No. 19: Colorado Black

Colorado all black comes in at No. 19.  It was a vast improvement over old and boring uniforms that desperately needed an upgrade.

Team: Colorado

Conference: Pac-12

Record: 3-10

Bowl Game: Seriously?

The Colorado Buffaloes came into the season with high hopes, a new conference and brand new impressive black uniforms.

If the team would have played as good as they looked, they would have taken the Pac-12 title.

As it is, they struggled to win three games.

Did you know:

Seven out of 10 Boulder residents own bicycles.  In fact, the number of bikes in the Boulder area is approximately 93,000.

That's a lot of pedaling.

No. 18: South Carolina

The South Carolina Gamecocks were rooster proud in these threads.

Team: South Carolina

Conference: SEC

Record: 10-2

Bowl Game: Capital One Bowl vs. Nebraska

The South Carolina uniforms pictured here are both classic and modern.  The melting of the two concepts create a nearly perfect model of what a football uniform should look like.

The only thing keeping them from being in the top 10 is the helmet design.  They could have done a little better on the lid.

Did you know:

The Ancient Syrians worshiped the fighting cock as a god.  In China the cock is a symbol of honor. In Greece the cock was considered sacred because of its announcing of the sunrise.

No. 17: Kentucky

The University of Kentucky goes wild at No. 17 on this list.

Team: Kentucky

Conference: SEC

Record: 5-7

Bowl Game: Missed it by that much.

Being in the SEC it isn't easy to draw attention to your team.  However, Kentucky turned some heads in this uniform combination.

From top to bottom the Wildcats choice for battle gear couldn't have been much better.

Did you know:

Both the Confederate and Union Presidents in the US Civil War were born in Kentucky.  Jefferson Davis and Abraham Lincoln started life as Kentucky babies.

Also, an ex-slave from Kentucky named Garret Morgan invented the three-light traffic signal that we all see every day.

No. 16: Washington State Cougars

The Cougars are making progress.  They looked much better on the field this year.

Team: Washington State

Conference: Pac-12

Record: 4-8

Bowl Game: Maybe next year.

The Cougars of Washington State looked like a million bucks in the new duds.  It's too bad they played like a dollar-fifty at times.

However, they do seem to be getting better.

Next year will bring new hope and hopefully more new uniform combinations like this one.  Not many teams looked better than the Cougars did this year.  At least as uniforms go.

Did you know:

The state of Washington produces over 70 percent of the nation's hops.  If you didn't know it, that is the key ingredient in beer.

Ironically enough Washington also produces most of the nation's mint crop, a taste millions enjoy in gum to overcome the breath they get from drinking beer.

No. 15: Oregon Ducks Black and Yellow

This is a crazy good combination.  Bright yellow jersey with black wings and numbers, black pants and helmet with a bright yellow "O."  It is eye-catching, stylish and original.

Team: Oregon

Conference: Pac-12

Record: 11-2

Bowl: Rose Bowl vs. Wisconsin

It seems to never stop with the Ducks.  Don't you wonder what they will come up with next year?  Or, even what they will wear in the Rose Bowl?

Whatever they wear, you know it will be cool.

Did you know:

The University of Oregon campus has over 500 varieties of trees.  However, the coolest one would have to be the tree from outer space.

Stuart Roosa, the command module pilot of Apollo 14 ,took a container of the tree seeds on the journey into space.  The seeds—along with Roosa—orbited the moon more than 30 times.

This tree from outer space, commonly called the "Moon Tree," is still standing tall on campus.

No. 14: Baylor White

Baylor is certainly able to wear white after Labor Day.

Team: Baylor

Conference: Big12

Record: 9-3

Bowl Game: Valero Alamo Bowl vs. Washington

R.G. III isn't the only impressive thing at Baylor.

The new uniform combinations are stellar.

The white-on-white with green stripes and numbers takes the cake.

It will be interesting to see what they come out wearing in the Alamo Bowl.

Did you know:

Founded in 1845, Baylor University is the oldest continually existing institution of higher learning in the State of Texas.

In fact, Baylor started when Texas was still a Republic.

No. 13: Stanford

Stanford got lucky with this combo.  It sets them apart from so many others.

Team: Stanford

Conference: Pac-12

Record: 11-1

Bowl Game: Tostitos Fiesta Bowl vs. Oklahoma State

Most of the country would agree that one of the best bowl game matchups of the year is the Stanford vs. Oklahoma State Fiesta Bowl.

Will Stanford debut a new uniform combination?

If they don't, this one will be more than fine.

Did you know:

The true name of Stanford is the "Leland Stanford Junior University."

Leland Sr. and Jane Stanford founded the University in 1885 as a way to honor their son, Leland Jr., who died of typhoid fever just before his 16th birthday.

No. 12: Arizona State University

ASU looks like a top-notch team in these threads. Too bad they can't play up to appearances. However, they will get their chance for some redemption in the Vegas Bowl.

Team: Arizona State University

Conference: Pac-12

Record: 6-6

Bowl Game: MAACO Bowl Las Vegas vs. Boise State

Black and yellow, black and yellow.

The Sun Devils started the year playing as good as their new uniforms.  Some key injuries and bad decisions brought them some disappointment and defeat.

However, you can't blame the way they looked for they way they played.

Look for this combination to be worn in the Vegas Bowl.  Or, they could surprise us with something brand new.

Did you know:

Arizona State founded the first school of sustainability in the nation.

No. 11: New-Look Tulsa

Tulsa looked so much better in so many ways.

Team: Tulsa

Conference: C-USA

Record: 8-4

Bowl Game: Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl

The Tulsa Golden Hurricane looked good on the field and on the catwalk.  Okay, nobody walked the catwalk, but maybe they should have.

This uniform combination was one of a couple that could have made the list for Tulsa.

The team played tough all year, and they will get a chance to finish on a high note when they take on BYU on December 30th.

Did you know:

Speaking of clothing: In 1923 a Tulsa clothier offered a reward of $25 dollars to anyone who could write the best university fight song.  Several students submitted entries.

A panel of judges chose "Hurricane Spirit" as the winner.  It was written by Ben Henneke.  Henneke used the money to pay for his tuition.

In later years, that same Mr. Henneke became the University's 16th President.

No. 10: Maryland Black

Some of Maryland's uniform combinations were downright scary.  However, this one was just scary good.

Team: Maryland

Conference: ACC

Record: 2-10

Bowl Game: Hold on, still laughing...

If you saw some of the Under Armour Maryland uniform combinations you know that a few of them were crazy.

However, this black, red and yellow ensemble is easily a top 10 combo of the season.

Did you know:

Testudo is the official mascot of the Maryland Terrapins.  The Diamondback Terrapin is the state of Maryland's official reptile.

In 1932 the football coach at Maryland recommended that this strange creature be made the mascot.

Before that, the Maryland teams were called the "Old Liners."  It sounds like they made the right choice.

No. 9: Arkansas Razorbacks

Woo Pig Sooie! The Razorbacks are hoggin' the spotlight at No. 9.

Team: Arkansas

Conference: SEC

Record: 10-2

Bowl Game: AT&T Cotton Bowl vs. Kansas State

In one of the best bowl games of the season the Razorbacks will take on Kansas State in the Cotton Bowl.  It should be a great game.

Arkansas was looking good all season, especially in this combination.  From the helmet to the cleats, few teams looked better than the Razorbacks.

Did you know:  

Arkansas has the only diamond mine in the United States.

No. 8: Oklahoma State Grey, Black, Orange

Oklahoma State missed the title game by one miserable night. However, there is nothing miserable about this uniform combination.

Team: Oklahoma State

Conference: Big 12

Record: 11-1

Bowl Game: Tostitos Fiesta Bowl vs. Stanford

Oklahoma State has the second-rated scoring offense in the nation. They average almost 50 points per game.

The Cowboys should be playing for the title, but as luck would have it they will face Stanford instead.

It should be a great game, and hopefully the Cowboys are wearing this combination in the big game.

Did you know:

The state of Oklahoma is home to the National Cowboy Hall of Fame. It is only appropriate that the best team in the state is called the Cowboys.

No. 7: Michigan State

The Spartans are lookin' sharp in this getup.

Team: Michigan State

Conference: Big Ten

Record: 10-3

Bowl Game: Outback Bowl

Sparty party at number seven. This Michigan State combination turned a lot of heads when it debuted.

Even though they lost in the Big Ten title game, they get another premier game this bowl season. It will be interesting as the Bulldogs and Spartans fight it out in the Outback Bowl.

Did you know:

Michigan has the largest State forest system in the United States.

No wonder the Spartans look good in green.

No. 6: Georgia Nike Pro Combat

The Bulldogs fans didn't think too highly of this combination, but the rest of the nation thought it was simply terrific.

Team: Georgia Bulldogs

Conference: SEC

Record: 10-3

Bowl Game: Outback Bowl vs. Michigan State

When this uniform debuted the Bulldog faithful flipped out.  Not really sure why, considering it is one of the best combinations of the year.

Perhaps Georgia fans are simply too set in their ways to enjoy anything new, but for what ever reason it is too bad the traditionalists couldn't just try to enjoy the view.

It will be awesome to see the Spartans and the Bulldogs collide in a sea of classic color.

Did you know:

There is a law in Georgia that makes it illegal for a chicken to cross the road.  Seriously, it is still on the books.

However, I guess that answers the age-old question; he crossed the road because he was an outlaw.

No. 5: Ohio State Nike Combat

Ohio State earns no suspensions for this one.

Team: Ohio State

Conference: Big Ten

Record: 6-6

Bowl Game: Taxslayer.com Gator Bowl vs. Florida

It will be interesting to see if Urban Meyer can turn the Buckeyes program around.  It won't be easy with the loss of scholarships and missing a bowl game next year.

However, this year Ohio State will play in a bowl and let's hope they wear this combination in the finale.

Did you know:

Both John Glenn and Neil Armstrong were from Ohio.

No. 4: Boise State Stormtrooper

Boise State missed wide right—again!  But, not in the uniform category.

Team: Boise State

Conference: MWC

Record: 11-1

Bowl Game: MAACO Bowl Las Vegas vs. ASU

This "stormtrooper" getup was a hit.  It is probably hated by Georgia fans, but most everyone else can appreciate it.

White-on-white with blue clouds on the sleeves and orange lettering make this great combination stand out.

Did you know:

Boise State University was actually founded as an Episcopal Junior College in 1932.

No. 3: Navy

The Midshipmen set anchor at No. 3 on the list.

Team: Navy

Conference: Independent

Record: 5-7

Bowl Game: Near-miss.

This Navy uniform is absolutely amazing. Blue and gold, strong and classic, this combination is hard to ignore.

Let's hope the Midshipmen get more ideas for game gear next year.

Did you know:

Bill the Goat is the official mascot of the Naval Academy. The legend behind it is that over 200 years ago, livestock was kept on the seagoing naval vessels.

This was to provide sailors with food, milk and pets.

The goat was one of those animals taken on board.

No. 2: Michigan Throwback

Love them or hate them, you have to admit the Michigan throwback uniforms are eye-catching.

Team: Michigan

Conference: Big Ten

Record: 10-2

Bowl Game: Allstate Sugar Bowl vs. Virginia Tech

The Wolverines look ferocious in this combination.  Some traditional fans didn't like it so much, but so many others were impressed.

The shoulder stripes and classic "M" make a bold statement.

Michigan fans should be proud of this look and their team.

Did you know:

The University of Michigan was the very first University established by a state.  In 1817 Catholepistemiad University started in Detroit.

In 1821 the name was changed and 20 years after that the school moved from Detroit to Ann Arbor.

No. 1: Oregon All Black with Green Outlined Numbers

Getting tired of seeing Oregon?  You shouldn't.  The Ducks are the pioneers in the area of the stylish uniform.  It is only fitting that they would be No. 1.

Team: Oregon

Conference: Pac-12

Record: 11-2

Bowl Game: Rose Bowl vs. Wisconsin

This black-on-black and florescent yellow outlined numbers with glowing O is just awesome.

Even if you are not an Oregon fan, you have to admit this uniform is very cool.

Did you know:

In the 1940s the Oregon Duck mascot started to resemble Donald Duck.  So much so, that Walt Disney had to meet with the Oregon athletic director to discuss it.

The two reached an agreement that allowed the University to use Donald as its sports mascot.

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