College Football 2011: Power Ranking the Top 46 Home Jerseys in College Football

There are few sights more stirring or pleasing to the palate than watching your own college football team take the field in the glorious home colors.

The modern world of gridiron wear offers a mind-boggling array of hues, colors and fabrics, and while most clubs have at least three uniform variations, they traditionally favor one for the home contests.

However, with so much variety and the advent of special single-game wear, it’s sometimes difficult to predict what a home team might don on game day.

The following slideshow power ranks the top 46 home jerseys in college football—a subjective task at best, but one that is pleasing to the eye and warming to the heart in terms of its sheer visual pageantry.

46. Louisiana-Lafayette

The Ragin' Cajuns jersey certainly isn't one that pops into your head when you stop to consider great football wear, but this top is just as spicy as Cayenne the mascot.

ULL's colors are vermilion and white, and personally, I like the stripe that complements the shoulder area.

45. Middle Tennessee

The royal blue and white hues that grace the Blue Raiders' top garment complement what is a sound combination of traditional and modern jersey stylings.

The modern shoulder stripe is well complemented by a bold block number; overall, it's a largely unseen and under-appreciated kit.

44. Boise State

Though I personally enjoyed the Broncos' all-orange uniforms, especially the way they contrasted with their infamous blue turf, normally Boise State takes the field at Bronco Stadium in all-blue.

Altogether, this is a cool jersey, and the orange accents are, as we say in the industry, well played.

43. Ohio

Ohio's jersey oozes traditional styling, which is pleasing in its simplicity and bold color presentation.

What's most pleasing to me is the double shoulder stripe, a tribute to the past in the modern era of the greatest of our team games.

42. Kansas

Blue and crimson are great colors, and I am a big fan of how the Jayhawks put it all together in their Adidas masterpiece.

It's not flashy. No stripes, no gimmicks, no prizes—just good, solid football couture.

41. Air Force

You can either love or hate the lighting bolts on the Falcons jersey, but you'd be hard pressed to find a uniform that does a better job of marketing and representing its team.

40. Louisville

It's hard not to be a fan of red and black (yes, I'm a big homer), which is exactly why you have to love the Cardinals jersey.

Louisville's alternate uniform, which features a black jersey, is also very delicious.

It's simple, and it's soul-stirring, yet it's not overbearing or pretentious.

39. Bowling Green

Orange and brown can go really wrong, or it can be really right.

Bowling Green got it right when it took an orange jersey and delicately striped the shoulders with a wisp of brown and white.

This is a great jersey for a program that will hopefully be back in the mix in short order.

38. Ohio State

It's scarlet and gray, it's traditional, it's well striped, and even if you are a big hater, it's a great jersey.

37. Iowa State

You'll find the Cyclones jersey on a quite a few "ugly uniform" lists, but for my money, it's a sweet little ride.

I might be in the minority, but I like the colors and the stripes, which I also think are very well played on the white jersey Iowa State wears on the road.

36. UNLV

UNLV's scarlet and gray jersey is a tour de force of football fashion.

Gray shoulders, scarlet bodice, bold lettering and block numbering make the Rebels top, well, tops.

35. Louisiana Tech

The Bulldogs' Nike jersey is a patriotic affair and quite pleasing to the eye.

The triple stripe is delightful, and if the helmet was subjected to an extreme head wear makeover, Louisiana Tech would have a top-25 uniform.

34. Toledo

The Rockets have a football jersey that is worthy of great accolades.

Midnight blue and gold spells shades of Michigan but is modernized in a way unique to the team that plays in the Glass Bowl.

You've got to love the gold neckline and the overall bold statement that this top makes.

33. Georgia

There isn't anything flashy about Georgia's jersey, but perhaps that's why it (and other tops like it) is so attractive.

The Georgia logo on the tip of the neckline is an understatement for a team that saves its shock and awe for the field of play.

32. Rutgers

Not surprisingly, the Scarlet Knights list their official color scheme simply as "scarlet."

What I like about Rutgers' jersey is the utter simplicity combined with a provocative, oversized white neckline.

31. Alabama

There is not much to see when you look at Alabama's football jersey as a standalone item, but that doesn't mean it's not a fitting tribute to traditional football garb.

Combined with the iconic Crimson Tide helmet (maybe the best in all of college football), the uniform is classic and understated, especially for a team that is so fearsome on the football field.

30. Missouri

Black and MU Gold are the colors that grace Missouri's very pleasing jersey.

This Nike masterpiece is modernized just enough to be non-traditional in a great sort of way; special kudos to the well-placed Tiger on the outside shoulders and to the striping.

My favorite is when the Tigers run out of the tunnel in the all-blacks—very intimidating stuff indeed.

29. Auburn

The reigning national champs have a sweet little ride in their navy blue jersey, which is well complemented by a bold burnt orange stripe on the sleeve.

The two smaller white stripes are a definite bonus, and all in all, it's straight tradition, which is always a great thing.

28. Oklahoma

The Sooners offer up another serving of simple fare, which is very well received by a hungry fanbase.

For me, the classic "Sooners" block lettering on the front of the jersey is nothing short of iconic.

It's crimson and cream, over and over...

27. Clemson

Let me tell you, friend—when you can successfully pull off the all-orange, you can do almost anything.

Clemson's burnt orange and northwest purple (which are great color names, by the way) make the Tiger home jersey come alive, and the Tiger Paw on the shoulder sets the package apart.

Good stuff.

26. Florida State

Florida State's home jersey is stunning—garnet and gold accented by a festive neckline.

Nike did an excellent job putting together this traditional yet modern presentation.

25. Temple

Temple busting the top 25 of the jersey list is not at all as questionable as it might seem.

This is a stellar jersey with a cool design near the neck and big, bold traditional numbers and coloring (cherry and white).

If you could add the pants into the equation, this sweet delight would zoom right up the charts.

Overall, this is a great uniform.

24. Washington

Another modern twist on a classic design, the Huskies' purple and gold affair is delicious.

This might seem like a high ranking for Washington's simple design, but I think the top 25 is the perfect tribute to this traditional jersey.

23. SMU

Though SMU's official colors carry a definite air of pretension (Harvard Red and Yale Blue), the Mustangs jersey is flat striking.

The varied white striping on the red field is striking, and if you checked out SMU's kit in its 2010 bowl appearance against Army (the Armed Forces Bowl), the blue version of the uniform is equally pleasing to the eye.

This is one of the two best "patriotic"-colored uniforms in the country (the other being Ole Miss).

22. Florida

The Gators do orange and blue about as well as it could ever be done.

Though their official home jersey is blue, I personally like the orange alternative pictured here, which they wore last season at home against LSU.

The color, the stripes and the Gator logo on the left upper chest are classic, resulting in a great package fitting for a tremendous program.

21. Oregon State

The uniforms pictured here were worn by the Beavers last season in their home game versus in-state rival Oregon.

In my humble opinion, these jerseys are as good as any on this list, and if they were worn regularly, they'd be in my top 10.

I'm lovin' the orange numbers on the black jersey and am a huge supporter of the orange and white stripes on the sleeves (which are ultimately tied together in the helmet and those magnificent socks).

This is a tremendous visual presentation.

20. South Carolina

South Carolina, in partnership with Under Armour, gets kudos for its garnet and black rendition of the Gamecock game wear.

This jersey has so many good elements that it's hard to pinpoint what is most pleasing; my guess is the bold shoulder stripes and the block lettering and numbering, which are both bolstered by the fetching streamlined appearance.

Very nice, sir, very nice.

19. Navy

Navy's football kit is a classic triumph.

The jersey pulls the ensemble together, and the classic coloring and huge block "Navy" are extraordinary.

In the traditional category, the Midshipmen jersey is among the very best.

18. Notre Dame

Irish lovers might well be offended by the relatively low ranking Notre Dame garners here, but though the jersey is certainly a classic, it's not a top-10 affair (subjectively speaking, of course).

All disclaimers aside, Notre Dame's jersey is very appealing from a traditional standpoint, and the accent provided by the "ND" on the shoulder makes this a tremendous kit.

17. Wisconsin

Wisconsin and Adidas joined forces for a stunning neo-classical jersey.

I don't know if it is the colors (officially listed as cardinal and white), the bold shoulder striping or the generously sized block numbering, but the Badgers definitely offer a top-10 traditional jersey.

16. Miami FL

As a traditionalist, it's hard to like the modern approach to jerseys as much as one that favors a more classic line.

However, Miami's uniform is a definite exception to this rule, and the Hurricanes' bright orange and green coloring, combined with the "wow" factor of the stellar numbering, is flat-out splendid.

Overall, this jersey kicks it new school.

15. North Carolina

Carolina Blue is a grand football jersey color and makes the Tar Heel jersey shine.

There aren't a lot of gimmicks with North Carolina's kit—no finger puppets and no prizes. Yes sir, there are no surprises; it's just simple and stunning.

14. Michigan State

There's just something about a classically styled jersey with a slight coloring alteration in the shoulder area, and that's precisely what makes Michigan State's jersey so attractive.

Sparty is indeed looking grand, featuring great colors and an outstanding design.

Well done, Nike, well done.

13. Tennessee

It's hard to argue with something that works as well as Tennessee's simple yet remarkable orange jersey.

As quickly as you are awed by the color, you are henceforth soothed by the respect this top pays to years of football tradition and excellence.

My fancy is tickled even further by the white variation of the Vols jersey, which wins by default due to the black outlining of the block numbering.

12. USC

The Trojans' upper covering is classic but loses nothing in terms of making a bold and valiant statement.

A sweeping definition for USC's cardinal and gold jersey is "timeless."

It would indeed be difficult to improve on something that works so very, very well.

11. Ole Miss

Ole Miss has the same colors as SMU—Yale Blue and Harvard Crimson—and they work just as well, if not better.

Ageless, elegant, patriotic—it's a presentation that demands your notice and garners your respect.

For me, the striping is superb; it had me at hello.

10. Oregon

Oregon obviously has its choice of uniform combinations but is often seen in the all-green on home game days.

Like it or not, the Ducks are as well clad as any team on any level, and though they might initially visually stun you, it's usually a splendid production.

9. Texas

I'm not a Longhorn fan by any stretch of the imagination, but Texas' jersey is as iconic as any other in the nation.

It's the color, it's the "Texas" in old school block print and it's the overall design.

The Longhorns simply have one of the very best jerseys in all of college football.

8. Nebraska

Nebraska's jerseys are as classic and traditional as any in the country, and in reality, it's difficult to define what makes the Cornhuskers' uniforms superior.

The scarlet and cream colors are magnificent, and the aura of Nebraska football and that splendid "N" on the helmet have a lot to do with the level of attraction.

Overall, a superior jersey.

7. Iowa

Iowa's jersey is one of the greatest in college football, and this fact is not diminished by the reality that the kit, which was made during the Hayden Fry era, is basically a copy of the Pittsburgh Steelers uniform.

The Hawkeyes jersey is a glowing example of football fashion goodness.

6. Michigan

How can something so very simple be so very good?

Well, sometimes the unexplainable is made even more delicious by its sheer mystical power, just like the Michigan jersey.

It's simply blue and maize, and boy, is it good.

5. Virginia Tech

Chicago maroon and burnt orange combine in the Hokies' tour de force jersey offering.

The shoulder stripes are absolutely stunning, the orange neckline is magnificent and overall this is a awe-inspiring jersey.

Virginia Tech's kit is legitimately top-five.

4. Penn State

Penn State's jersey is another product that is remarkable based on its simplicity and tradition.

The Nittany Lions uniform seems updated and modern while still being alluringly "old school."

3. Arkansas

The Razorbacks jersey is flat-out stellar, and the revision to the shoulder coloring is eye candy.

Arkansas fans deserve a uniform this tremendous, and Nike has provided them with a kit to truly be proud of.

Sensational.

2. UCLA

There's something for everyone in the Bruins jersey: great numbering, tremendous classic striping and the colors—oh, the colors.

UCLA doesn't only have the best uniforms on the West Coast; it has one of the top jerseys in this great nation.

Out of this world.

1. LSU

You don't have to love or even like LSU to appreciate the fact that its jersey is as pleasing to the palate as is a well-sauced chicken wing.

Its tradition and classical design delicately intertwine with a fusion of hues and just a hint of modern influence that heighten your football sensibilities.

Epic.