Ranking College Football's Best New Uniforms of 2015

College football uniforms are a flashpoint of discussion for fans and players alike. While some programs, like Penn State and Alabama, stick with classic, time-tested designs, others, like Maryland and Oregon, consistently push the envelope with flashy uniforms designed to generate social media buzz and attention from recruits.

New uniforms have become a constant part of every college football preseason, with Nike, Adidas and Under Armour unveiling brand-new designs that will take the field for the coming season. This season is no different, with a number of new looks hitting the scene. Here’s a look at the top new college football uniforms for 2015.

10. Notre Dame

Notre Dame jumped from Adidas to Under Armour this fall, but there is little change in the Fighting Irish’s classic look. The Irish will sport gold helmets with blue uniforms at home, gold pants and white numbers with gold trim.

The gold pants have the “ND” logo on the left hip, and the team will also sport blue undershirts with “IRISH” printed in block lettering on the sleeve, but those aren’t on the jersey itself. In recent years, Notre Dame has unveiled a special jersey for its “Shamrock Series” neutral-site games, and it’ll be interesting to see how the Irish handle their game against Boston College at Fenway Park.

In addition, like fellow Under Armour programs Auburn, Cincinnati, Maryland and Utah (all of which unveiled uniforms with minimal change), Notre Dame will wear jerseys with ArmourGrid technology, which Under Armour calls “the strongest, lightest, most durable fabric in the game” which will “make [an athlete] ungrabbable on gameday.” We’ll see about that this fall.

9. North Carolina

North Carolina is known nationally as a basketball school. Give the Tar Heels credit for embracing that image. Nike recently unveiled a new look for all 28 of UNC’s varsity sports, and while the football uniforms look very similar to their predecessors, there is one key change: argyle.

The Tar Heel basketball team has used the argyle pattern in its uniforms since 1991, and UNC has incorporated it as a secondary identity for every sport. With the new football uniforms, it is on the collar and the side of the pants for blue, white and (alternate) black options. North Carolina has won three men’s basketball national titles in the argyle, so why not see if that success can rub off?

8. Arizona State

Under Todd Graham, Arizona State has positioned itself as a program on the move, with consecutive 10-win seasons. The athletic department is on the move, too, going from Nike to Adidas this fall. Adidas created new uniforms that largely retain the look the Sun Devils had under Nike, using a glossier metallic accent across the board and a larger pitchfork logo on the pants.

The Sun Devils have a white-dominant, black-dominant and a classic, alternative jersey that evokes the program’s past with a red helmet and jersey, and gold pants. ASU’s look this fall won’t be that different, but it will be a nice update.

7. Miami

2015 is a crucial season for Miami coach Al Golden. Following a 6-7 record in 2014, Golden is firmly on the hot seat entering this fall. Regardless of what happens this fall, the Hurricanes will look sharp in new Adidas uniforms.

While Miami will keep its traditional helmets, the uniforms (featuring green, orange and white jerseys) are subtly different across the board. They have updated metallic stripes on the jerseys and pants, working in “hurricane” style cuts and patterns. The classic “U” logo is stitched on the back of the jersey, and the “Hurricanes” name is placed across the ribbing of the inside collar for players to see as they pull on the jersey. In addition, “Miami” is printed atop the numbers on every jersey.

Miami can create as many as nine different uniform combinations, and if the ‘Canes can win this fall, they’ll surely look good doing it.

6. Colorado

Colorado has struggled to regain relevance under coach Mike MacIntyre, who has a 6-18 record in two seasons in Boulder. But at the very least, the Buffaloes will look sharp on the field in 2015. In its first significant uniform overhaul since 2010, Colorado unveiled three jerseys, four pants and four helmet options that are interchangeable and allowing for dozens of different combinations.

The jersey has a new custom font with a contrasting outline, and both the alternate and away uniform numbers have a flatiron rock-like texture. The home uniform will have a black jersey and gold pants, while the away will be a white jersey and pants with contrasting black font. 

The helmet has a fine metallic paint that creates a gun-metal look with a larger logo. Colorado will also integrate an alternate uniform with a dark, steel-grey jersey and pants, as well as bold black numbers for a sharp, different look.

5. Wake Forest

Wake Forest hopes for a turnaround in Dave Clawson’s second season, and the Demon Deacons hope to look better doing it, too. The new Nike uniforms marry modern and traditional accents. For example, the black and gold uniforms feature a custom number font honoring Wake Forest’s founding in 1834 with angled notches at 18 and 34 degrees, top and bottom, respectively.

The jersey sleeves have a pattern that is drawn from Wake’s university shield and wrought-iron architectural details that are seen across campus, forming a stylized “W.” The collar includes the words “Deacon Tough” on the back of the jersey’s neckline and the “WF” logo on the hip of the pant. Wake will have black uniforms with gold pants, going all-white on the road and also mixing in an all-black alternate look. They’re all very modern and sharp.

4. Tennessee

Tennessee’s orange-dominant uniforms are recognized throughout college football, as is the classic “Power T” that adorns the Volunteers’ helmets. But the athletic department’s switch from Adidas to Nike brought updated “Mach Speed” uniforms that invoke some of the program’s tradition.

Tennessee will still have its traditional orange and white jerseys, as well as an all-orange look and an all-white look, but it will also add a grey uniform that represents the Great Smoky Mountains, a huge part of East Tennessee. The alternate helmet uses a grey mountain pattern. In addition, all of the uniforms have a taller, sleeker font for numbers and use half-checkerboard striping, invoking Neyland Stadium’s checkerboard end zones.

Mike Strange of the Knoxville News-Sentinel says the Vols are feeling some "Swoosh swagger."

“It’s just amazing,’’ said defensive back Cameron Sutton. “It brings out the swagger in a team. Guys are excited to have Nike on. High energy throughout the course of the day, not just on the field. In meetings, everybody is attentive and ready to go.’’

3. Michigan State

Michigan State isn’t known for taking risks with its uniforms, and even though the Spartans have new Nike uniforms for 2015, the home and away sets (green jerseys and green or white pants at home, all-white on the road) haven’t changed much.

However, Michigan State does have an alternate design that has bronze accents throughout, including bronze sleeve caps. It also features a bronze helmet with an oversized green Spartan logo on the side, and it's a hit with the players. It is intended to connect Michigan State with the ancient Greek Spartan warriors.

“I do love the all green, but this is a little change-up, but at the same time it's Pro Combat,'' Spartans senior defensive end Shilique Calhoun told MLive.com’s Mike Griffith. "I'm just waiting to see what game we wear it for.''

The alternate uniforms are striking, and it’d be fitting if Michigan State brought them out for Sept. 12’s huge home date with Oregon, known across football for its own sartorial splendor.

2. San Diego State

San Diego State unveiled some truly unique uniforms Tuesday. The Aztecs’ helmets and uniforms will feature the Aztec calendar, used by the Aztecs dating back to the 1400s. The helmets feature a black stripe down the middle and a red Aztec calendar on each side, with the school’s primary logo on the back.

The Aztecs will sport black jerseys at home and white on the road, with the uniform sleeve panels also featuring the Aztec calendar and San Diego State across the chest. The pants will be black with a three-inch striped panel on each side featuring the Aztec calendar. They’re sharp and very unique.

1. TCU

TCU broke through for a 12-1 season last fall, and the Horned Frogs capitalized on their success by unveiling bold, new Nike Mach Speed uniforms. The uniforms include an all-white look with purple numbers and a purple undershirt for away games, but the real fun starts with the home uniforms. They’re all-purple with white numbers and white undershirts, but they have a sublimated pattern that covers the entire jersey and pants, designed to invoke the toughness of the desert-dwelling horned frog.

Same goes for the alternate uniform, which is all-grey with the same sublimated pattern. The horned frog pattern also appears on both helmet designs. It’s a unique, fascinating look that will catch the eyes of fans across college football.