12 Days of Bowl Season: Picking All 35 Matchups by Uniforms

This is the third in a 12-part series.

Oft said is the phrase, "If you look good, you play good."

Where this originated, who knows? However, the idea is plausible. If the Little Giants taught me anything, looking good on the football field automatically makes you competitive is it.

The uniform is synonymous with the university, as team colors are sported throughout the stadiums. Some uniforms are classic, whereas others are modern and interesting.

One never knows what some teams, such as Oregon and Boise State, will be wearing out of the locker rooms.

Nonetheless, picking bowl games can be difficult. Who knows which teams are just happy to be there or even which ones feel slighted and come out flat?

Such is the reason I am picking these games the same way my wife picks her NCAA March Madness bracket—based on the uniform.

New Mexico Bowl: Wyoming vs. Temple

Winner: Temple

Wow. What a game to start off with. Two of the saddest uniforms in all of college football.

I am not sure I can even come up with a winner or a loser. The loser is anyone who has to watch the game between these two with such horrendous uniforms.

Brown and yellow never make a good combination. Just ask the San Diego Padres.

The Temple Owls did not make the choice easy, however. With crimson and white, uniforms can be very appealing (see Alabama, Oklahoma), but the Owls did not come close with their design.

Temple's helmets have upgraded since they made their way onto this list two years ago.

Therefore, with better color scheme and upgraded helmet, Temple gets the Nod.

Famous Idaho Potato Bowl: Ohio vs. Utah State

Winner: Utah State

This game features two teams with great threads.

Ohio features a hunter green and white ensemble with two shoulder stripes—a classic look with a nice design.

Unfortunately for the Bobcats, their opponent has some new Nike digs that put them to shame.

Nike released Utah State's new uniforms this season, and the Aggies are looking sharp in their navy blue and white.

New Orleans Bowl: La.-Lafayette vs. San Diego State

Winner: San Diego State

If we were picking the games on nicknames alone, this one would be the "Game of the Century."

These two teams have similar colors, with the San Diego State Aztecs going with a red just one shade darker than the Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin' Cajuns.

Lafayette uses a scarlet red and white with a tad of black thrown in. However, the uniforms are kind of plain, which is why they are No. 44 on this list.

The Aztecs have a simple, yet refined design. The double pants stripe gives them a little bit of an old-school look, but the shoulder stripes are different than most. I really like the red outline not touching the black number.

Very cool.

Beef 'O' Brady's Bowl: FIU vs. Marshall

Winner: FIU

Tough decision here. The Panthers have what I consider to be one of the best color combination in sports.

As mentioned earlier, the Padres agree.

But, "The Herd" really decked out their green this year.

When a bowl game goes into overtime, it's really a matter of who has the most power.

For me, the navy blue and gold is powerful. Perhaps it's because those were the colors I wore playing football when I grew up.

Nonetheless, the Panthers get the best of Marshall in this one.

Poinsettia Bowl: TCU vs. La. Tech

Winner: TCU

This one isn't even close.

The Frogs make purple look scary. The "Bulldogs" or "Techsters" or whatever have some very average digs.

Maaco Las Vegas Bowl: Boise State vs. Arizona State

Winner: Boise State

Another close one here, folks.

The Sun Devils' new helmets nearly helped them pull off the upset, but Kellen Moore could make any uniform look good.

He's got skill, finesse and he just plain wins.

Besides, I love royal blue and orange—unless it's on a Gator.

Hawaii Bowl: Southern Miss vs. Nevada

Winner: Southern Miss

Nevada has some classic, yet modern uniforms, much akin to Utah State. With random stripes here and there, the Wolfpack are able to pull it off.

But, the Golden Eagles are really sharp with the black and gold.

You can't talk me out of this one because the flat black helmets are just too perfect.

Independence Bowl: Missouri vs. North Carolina

Winner:  North Carolina

Has UNC ever lost a uniform battle? If so, I can't see how. That perfect baby blue and white can't be beaten.

But, the Tigers do have some nice threads.

Little Ceasars Bowl: Western Michigan vs. Purdue

Winner: Purdue

It's always hard to pick a winner between schools with the same color scheme.

This one is down to helmets and design.

The Broncos could have had a chance in this one two years ago, but the helmet design change did them in for me.

The Boilermakers have some Pittsburgh Steelers-type numerals, and the sleeve stripes are pretty cool, too.

Belk Bowl: Louisville vs. NC State

Winner: Louisville

Once again, two teams with the same colors.

But, this one isn't close either.

Louisville runs away with their sleek uniforms. The only odd thing about these is "The Ville" looks a little big.

NC State, this is too much red.

Military Bowl: Air Force vs. Toledo

Winner: Air Force

Not that I'm picking the Falcons because it is the Military Bowl, but how can you not pick the Falcons? It's the Military Bowl.

The lightning bolts everywhere is just super cool.

Plus, everything on Toledo's uniforms is just too big.

Holiday Bowl: California vs. Texas

Winner: Texas

I'm just not much of a fan of navy blue and yellow. The combo makes it difficult on the eyes.

Perhaps Toledo's uniforms give me that illusion.

But, the 'Horns have a classic look with an original color that is perfect for the Lone Star State.

Champs Sports Bowl: Florida State vs. Notre Dame

Winner: Florida State

Do I have to pick a winner? I mean, these two uniforms are iconic. They are both amazing. Probably both top five of all time!

Wow.

The Seminoles get the nod from me, and it's personal, I guess.

FSU wears my high school's colors, and ND wears my peewee colors.

I was better at sports in high school than peewee.

Go Noles.

Alamo Bowl: Baylor vs. Washington

Winner: Baylor

The Bears have a perfect combination of green and gold. Washington doesn't look bad in their purple.

But, the Huskies aren't TCU, and I'm not intimidated by these.

Like Kellen Moore, RG3 makes these Baylor Bears look really good.

Armed Forces Bowl: BYU vs. Tulsa

Winner: BYU

The Cougars are a great example of a simple, but cool uniform.

I really love the triple-stripe pants.

Tulsa actually allowed a hurricane to pick its colors. They use about five.

Pinstripe Bowl: Rutgers vs. Iowa State

Winner: Rutgers

I can't bring myself to like Iowa State's uniforms.

They are getting better, but the less yellow they use, the better I like them.

Funny thing is, they are the same colors as USC, and I like the Trojans' digs.

Rutgers wins, though, because these are as cool as a uniform can look. Especially when Eric LeGrand is wearing one while leading the team on the field.

Music City: Wake Forest vs. Mississippi State

Winner: Wake Forest

The Demon Deacons have a super-cool helmet, and their color scheme goes well with their identity.

Mississippi State has some bland maroon uniforms with a so-so helmet.

I did like the Egg Bowl threads, though.

Insight Bowl: Oklahoma vs. Iowa

Winner: Oklahoma

When classic meets classic, the colors are the deciding factor.

I love how well the Hawkeyes are able to distribute their color scheme. Iowa does a great job adding just the right amount of yellow to their uniforms.

But, the Sooners' are just too classic. They're easy to recognize, and those shiny crimson helmets are immediately noticeable.

Meineke Car Care Bowl: Texas A&M vs. Northwestern

Winner: Northwestern

Purple is again scary. Even if it is smart kids wearing it.

The triple sleeve-stripe is very popular these days, but the Wildcats look much better than Texas A&M's maroon and white.

The Aggies have a great traditional uniform, but the purple dome with Northwestern's unique "N," along with the black outline, gives them the advantage.

Sun Bowl: Georgia Tech vs. Utah

Winner: Georgia Tech

Navy blue again, but this time with an "Old English" gold makes a unique and recognizable brand. The helmet might not be my favorite, but the fact is the Yellow Jackets fit in these nicely.

Utah has a nice modern uniform and could have easily won against another team, but GT's modern style with classic color scheme works well.

Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl: UCLA vs. Illinois

Winner: UCLA

Another "Old English" gold team, but the color works for the Bruins as well as it works for Georgia Tech.

Illinois has a great, but common, color scheme. Therefore, the Bruins, with their classic and original look, get the nod.

Liberty Bowl: Cincinnati vs. Vanderbilt

Winner: Cincinnati

Cincy uses a black and red color scheme with a great uniform layout. I love the helmet worn by the Bearcats.

Vandy has a great scheme and super-cool helmets as well. But, the Commodores just don't have the extra little bit.

The extra oomph goes to the 'Cats, who use a claw mark on the side of their pants.

Chick-fil-A Bowl: Virginia vs. Auburn

Winner: Auburn

Again, with the triple sleeve stripe, but the Auburn Tigers make it scream like a War Eagle.

Auburn has used variations of this exact design for over 50 years. The Tigers have always looked good. I especially like the angle cut on the pants stripe.

Virginia sports the same color scheme, but a navy blue helmet.

The Cavs just couldn't trump the War Eagles this time, and won't on the field, either.

Ticket City Bowl: Houston vs. Penn State

Winner: Penn State

Do I need to say anything more than Penn State? Come on, folks. It's easily one of the best college uniforms. Classic works, especially in Happy Valley.

The white skulls and blue stripe is iconic.

Capital One Bowl: South Carolina vs. Nebraska

Winner: Nebraska

The ho-hum Under Armour style used by South Carolina is just not cutting it for me anymore.

The jersey used to be pretty cool, but it has run its course. The helmet needs updating, too.

Nebraska, on the other hand, needs no updating. The classic red "N" on the side of those white domes is legendary.

The Huskers would run out of the stadium with the win if it was based on uniforms.

Gator Bowl: Florida vs. Ohio State

Winner: Ohio State

Again, two storied programs with near-perfect uniforms.

I love the silver caps for the Buckeyes, but I can't say anything bad about the Gators' digs.

Florida has some nice color combinations, but the scarlet and gray is just too sweet.

Outback Bowl: Michigan State vs. Georgia

Winner: Georgia

If we're talking combat digs, I take Sparty. But since we aren't, it's them ole Hairy Dawgs for me.

The Bulldogs have a great look and style. All three school colors run down the side of those silver britches.

The "G" dates back to 1964, according to NationalChamps.net. It is synonymous with Green Bay and the Bulldogs.

I can't complain about Michigan State's very cool threads, though

Cotton Bowl: Arkansas vs. Kansas State

Winner: Arkansas

These are some super cool threads. Of course, they look like Arena Football jerseys, but they suit the Hogs to a "T."

"T"yler Wilson tosses the pigskin like an AFL game.

Sure beats this pale purple uniform and silver helmet used by Bill Snyder and the gang.

BBVA Compass Bowl: Pittsburgh vs. SMU

Winner: Pitt

That pesky navy and gold again. It's killing these other teams.

But, I love the Panthers' helmets. They are truly magnificent. I especially care for the numbers, too.

SMU doesn't have terrible uniforms, unless you believe this list.

GoDaddy.com Bowl: Arkansas State vs. Northern Illinois

Winner: Northern Illinois

This shot gives you both the front and back view of the Huskies' uniforms.

Much better than the Adidas digs the Wolves are sporting these days.

Rose Bowl: Wisconsin vs. Oregon

Winner: Oregon

I don't care which one of their 430,193 uniform combinations the Ducks choose, they win.

Wisconsin has classy digs, but the Ducks are known for their uniforms.

When they tone the yellow down, Oregon has some spiffy threads.

Fiesta Bowl: Oklahoma State vs. Stanford

Winner: Oklahoma State

Stanford is another university with super classy uniforms, but OSU has some killer colors.

The Pokes have never really utilized all of their options until this season, but boy did Nike deliver on these.

The Cowboys really look cool in Halloween colors, and not everybody can pull it off.

Sugar Bowl: Michigan vs. Virginia Tech

Winner: Michigan

This one goes to the victors.

Virginia Tech just can't compete with, arguably, the best helmet in college football.

Michigan has some of the coolest digs in the country, and they easily take the cake when Denard Robinson is running down the sideline.

Orange Bowl: West Virginia vs. Clemson

Winner: Clemson

Sometimes you don't win a game, the other teams loses it.

And when the other team looks like this, you win by default.

Although, I love the Tigers when they play in their purple jerseys. Cool stuff.

BCS National Championship: LSU vs. Alabama

Winner: Alabama

The crimson elephants are rolling in the Big Easy this time. LSU could have come close with these, but they'll be wearing their home/away white digs, and it just does nothing for me.

The Tide, wearing the crimson threads, are massive. They are fierce. Alabama is nearly unstoppable—okay, well at least Trent Richardson is nearly unstoppable.

When Richardson is running downhill, you can rest assured the defense is worried. And he looks great doing it in the classiest uniforms in the land.