Nike Pro Combat Uniforms: LSU Breaking Tradition with Sleek Jerseys vs. Auburn

LSU is going to have a different look this weekend when the No. 1-ranked Tigers play the 19^th-ranked Auburn Tigers.

In the battle of the same mascot, LSU will be sporting the latest in the Nike Pro Combat line that has a bit of a futuristic feel to it.

Check out this Twitpic of how even the base layer has a unique look. The jersey itself does a good job of mixing the white, purple and gold that makes up the school's colors. The purple outline on the neck and on the numbers look fresh, and it’s not overdone.

Count senior safety Brandon Taylor as a player that is thrilled with Nike’s efforts:

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Everybody’s kind of excited about it because we wear the same thing just about every week. This is a traditional school, but we think that us bringing out something new once a year brings a lot of excitement to the fans and could help recruiting. I like these a lot better.

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The look of a team's jersey is beginning to influence kids' decision on where they want to play, and LSU is doing a good job of keeping up. If a jersey can be used as a recruiting tool, why not go for it?

While the students are excited about the new-look, old-school head coach Les Miles isn’t a huge fan:

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I have a difficult time with a great historic uniform that has been changed such that you cannot recall the uniform or the team that it represents. That is a step too far for me. I like to see LSU dressed like LSU is supposed to dress. I can tell you that this uniform will represent LSU and look very much like a uniform an LSU football team will wear. It will be a little sleeker in design.

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This debate is a simply a matter of young versus old. Players care about the way they look more and more by the day, and a cool jersey goes a long way to keeping them happy, whereas Miles prefers to keep up the proud tradition of his school.

Regardless of where you stand, it’s hard to deny these are some cool uniforms, and while tradition is great, recruiting is far more important.

Remember, you are trying to appeal to kids born in 1994.