Big 12 Conference’s Best Football Uniforms
College football uniforms do more than just distinguish the difference between two teams on the field.
They instill anxiety, anger, or relief in the opposing fanbase and team from the opposing sideline. Don’t believe me? Well, if your team is set to play Kansas (in football), don’t you have a little more relief in that fact than you would if it was Oklahoma or Oklahoma State on the opposing sideline?
Another thing that uniforms do is elicit excitement or tell a story of tradition. TCU’s black and purple jerseys might not have a 100-year history like the burnt orange and white jerseys of Texas, but they sure are badass. However, schools like Texas and Oklahoma have worn virtually the same jerseys for the last century, and there is something very cool about that.
For the sake of an argument, we decided to rank each Big 12 team by jersey, from No. 10 to No. 1. Each team’s best jersey will be used as the measuring stick for this test.
So, who has the top football uniform in the Big 12? Let’s find out.
No. 10 – Baylor Green/Green Combo
I think a little bit of me died when Baylor left the black uniforms behind for the more fluorescent green and yellow look. The yellow uniforms with green lettering make it look like there are 11 bottles of mustard running around on the field, so I will happily take the all-green look as Baylor’s best uniform. The good news for the Bears is that it doesn’t matter how good the uniforms look because Baylor will likely be near the top of the Big 12 standings again in 2022.
No. 9 – TCU Home Black/Purple/Black Combo
As a standalone helmet, the Horned Frogs’ chrome purple on black is awesome, but it’s so hard to see the logo in real-time. Therefore, I went with the black helmet, purple jersey, and black pants. This is the simplest, cleanest look that the frogs have at their disposal, and unfortunately its a bit too lackluster when there are options like the chrome purple out there. Find a way to make it stick out more and we will revisit this ranking.
No. 8 – Texas Tech Black/Black
It was hard to decide between the all black look or the 1970s throwback whites for the Red Raiders, but when in doubt, go with the home look. Red and Black screams Red Raiders and this combo with the white lettering really pops on the field.
No. 7 – Kansas Blue/Blue Combo
Kansas has had some wild designs over the years, but the blue-on-blue combination is their cleanest look. The Jayhawk logo is among the best logos in the conference and it would be an injustice to have just the “KU” back on the helmet. This is a clean look, I just wish it equated to more success on the field for the Jayhawks.
No. 6 – West Virginia Blue/Gold Combo
As you can tell by now, bright flourescent colors are a trend in the Big 12 uniforms right now, and some of them really work, whilw others just don’t. In West Virginia’s case, the bold blue and gold combo really meshes well and is a steep upgrade from what the Mountaineers were wearing in 2018.
No. 5 – Kansas State Purple/Silver Combo
This is simple, classic look for the Wildcats and certainly one that has stuck around through the years. The “Power Cat” logo is easily distinguishable against the silver helmet, and the striping on the sleeves and pants is about as vintage as it gets. Certainly one of the best in the conference.
No. 4 – Iowa State “Jack Trice Tribute” Combo
I know, I know. Iowa State’s colors are Cardinal and Gold, as much as Matt Campbell might wish it was just black and white. But, come one; these are the best black and white unforms in America. Something about the aggressive number font and the Jack Trice Patch just works.
No. 3 – Oklahoma Red/White Combo
Oklahoma really benefitted from a rebrand to Jordan in 2018, bringing a much larger helmet logo and new lettering to the uniforms. The classic home look from the Sooners combined with the new branding creates a look that is near the top in college football. However, there are two uniforms that can claim that as well ahead on this list.
No. 2 – Texas Road White/White Combo
Like thier rivals, home jerseys, Texas road whites are a staple in college football. When the two teams meet up in Dallas with Texas as the road team (as the were in 2021), it is 100% the best uniform battle of the season. The burnt orange Longhorn is easily the most distiniguishable logo in all of college football, and this look is among the cleanest out there.
No. 1 – Oklahoma State “1987 Throwback” Orange/White Combo
Why aren’t the 1987 throwback jeseys the only thing that Oklahoma State wears? I know it’s the thing nowadays to have 87,000 uniform combinations, but this is, by far and away, the best uniform combination that Oklahoma State has. The only other argument I will table is the road version of this uniform, which looks fantastic as well. Do away with all the chrome stars and barbed wire. Give me the Barry Sanders era jerseys every Saturday, as they are the best looking uniforms in the conference.
