BYU Football: Grading the Cougars' Uniforms Through the Years

BYU has seen flashy, traditional and sometimes ugly uniforms throughout the program's history. In the midst of an era when jerseys are everything, let's grade the uniforms that BYU has worn since 1980.

Just a heads up: some of these jerseys are extremely ugly. Thank heaven that the Cougars have changed their uniforms so many times.

1980-1993: Royal Blue and White

These uniforms were worn in the "prime" of Cougar football, and consisted of New York Jets-style stripes on the arms (similar to today's jerseys). Two stripes ran up the sides of the pants, and white helmets with the oval "Y" logo were worn.

BYU generally wore royal blue jerseys and white pants at home, and white jerseys and royal blue pants on the road.

My Grade: B

1995-1997: Royal Blue, White and Black

The jerseys worn by Steve Sarkisian and crew were similar to the previous uniforms, but added a block "Y" on the shoulder stripes, and had black trim around the numbers and stripes.

White and blue helmets with the oval logo were worn, and stripes were removed from the pants. Personally, I think the black trim just makes the uniform look cheesy.

My Grade: B-

1999: Navy, Tan and White

Ladies and gentlemen, let me introduce you to the ugliest uniforms BYU has ever worn. In any sport. Period.

These jerseys were navy blue, with tan trim and a white "bib" on the chest. Not only did fans in Provo dislike it, but the NCAA said that the bib had to be removed because a uniform could have only one main color.

So, the white was removed, and Cougar fans tried to forget about the "bibs."

My Grade: F-

2000-2003: White, Navy Blue and Tan

The uniforms BYU donned in 2000 were just the "bibs" without the bib. They were navy blue with tan trim and white numbers. The pants had a tan stripe up the side and a picture of a cougar was placed just below the neck.

The helmets that went with these jerseys were navy, with a block "Y" and a tan circle around it. A tan stripe ran down the center of the helmet.

These were definitely a step up from the bibs.

My Grade: D

2004: Navy, Tan and White

I officially dislike the color tan on any uniform.

The jerseys that BYU wore in 2004 lasted for only a season. They were white, with navy and tan shoulders and navy numbers. The pants had a blue stripe going up the sides, accompanied with tan stripes on either side of the navy. The blue helmets were worn with these uniforms.

My Grade: D-

2005-Present: Navy and White

Thankfully, the tan was removed and BYU wound up with the jerseys that we have today. They are navy and white, with the Jets-style stripes on the shoulders and pants. The helmets are white and have the "stretch Y" logo.

Now that we have these uniforms, it's time to change it up a little. Is it just me, or would gray and navy uniforms look awesome?

My Grade: B+

2009: Royal Blue and White

I had to throw these uniforms in this slideshow. Although they were only worn for two games (vs. Utah and the MAACO Las Vegas Bowl), I think they are the coolest jerseys BYU has ever worn. They are the usual uniforms, but in royal blue.

The only thing that would be better than these is black and royal blue jerseys.

My Grade: A