College football's "alternate" uniforms have become all the rage. Whether to celebrate homecoming or rally fans, it seems these special uniforms are popping up everywhere.
So as the season approaches, let's take a look at alternate uniforms (past and present) that make opponents quiver:
Top 25 Accidentally Intimidating Alternate Uniforms
1. Maryland Terrapins: These strange creations may seem more bewildering than fearsome at first glance. When you see a 6-foot-5-inch 320-pound man dressed like a deranged circus coming at you and he isn't smiling, it can be pretty scary.
2. West Virginia Mountaineers: These simple gray uniforms seem slightly tame. But when they take the field, it looks like the Confederacy has restarted the war. Both Shaggy and Scooby agree that Civil War ghosts are spooky. So are these alternates if you ask me.
3. Nebraska Cornhuskers: I actually like these red alternates. But that giant "N" in the middle of the jersey is hypnotic. I can just imagine an opposing player puzzling over that singular letter like a deer watching the headlights of a speeding semi.
4. Stanford Cardinal: I actually like these red alternates. But opponents may be dazed and wondering, "Where did the giant 'N' go?"
5. Virginia Tech Hokies: I get the dark intimidating color scheme. The orange throws it for an unnerving twist. It would be like being chased by an unflinching, uncaring cyborg that apparently cannot handle its orange sherbet.
6. Boise State Broncos: Boise State is not exactly intimidating because of one alternate uniform. It shows all eight uniforms here. Yes, eight. Lining up against these mix-and-match Barbies would be disconcerting to say the least.
7. Oregon Ducks: This all-black, except neon green accents, alternate uniform just seems to say, "You don't know the power of the dark side. But, first, watch me dance."
8. South Carolina Gamecocks: While it was for a good cause, these alternates were a little too busy. If you spent time on a South Carolina beach during M.C. Hammer's height of popularity then you will immediately recognize why the design is both nostalgic and somewhat terrifying.
9. UCLA Bruins: In 2011, UCLA shocked USC by choosing to play in these all-white alternates instead of home colors. Stick that in your tradition.
10. California Golden Bears: These tricky yellow alternates work great because they look like giant caution lights.
11. Georgia Bulldogs: UGA already has strong colors. But this Nike remix will have opponents asking, "When did Nebraska put silver on its helmets?" And that is when we pounce!
12. Wisconsin Badgers: Not to be outdone by Nebraska's giant "N," Wisconsin brings you the giant "W." OK, so it makes the players look like third-string superheroes. But even third-string superheroes can be intimidating.
13. Syracuse Orange: These alternates are extremely intimidating. Don't believe me? Try running through 11 over-sized traffic cones and see how nerve racking it is.
14. Miami Hurricanes: Miami has had some interesting uniforms through the years, but these white alternates are extra special. If the ghostly white doesn't get you then realizing that the numbers only have a quarter of a tank left just might.
15. Arizona State Sun Devils: These new Nike alternates look good. I am not sure if they wanted the glowing pitchforks on the helmets to look menacing -- but they do.
16. Army Black Knights: I suppose these camouflage alternates only make sense for Army. Opponents, however, only use the term "war zone" as a figure of speech.
17. Notre Dame: These alternates might scare away insulin-sensitive opponents. For some reason, all I can think of when I see these is trying to fish out the last marshmallow of Luck Charms with a gold spoon.
18. Oklahoma State Cowboys: Not only does it look good, but this all-gray alternate is just light enough to have opponents wondering if they are at home or away.
19. Wyoming Cowboys: The Cowboys will use their alternates to their full advantage.
20. Washington State Cougars: The Cougars' alternates will strike fear in opponents -- by making them think they have gone colorblind.
21. Mississippi State Bulldogs: These Bulldogs tried to intimidate their opponents by wearing alternates that show that they are winners. They changed the numbers from silver to gold. How Olympic.
22. LSU Tigers: These purple- and gold-accented alternates says to the competition, "We are so good that we don't care how bad we look!"
23. Vanderbilt Commodores: These alternates are like the alternates to other teams' alternates. While other teams go from two-tone to solid black, the rebellious Commodores switch from solid black to two-tone alternates. Take that, NCAA establishment!
24. Northwestern Wildcats: In these alternates, the Wildcats could merely start singing the theme to "Barney."
25. Michigan State Spartans: Dark and dreary alternates will either intimidate opponents or put them to sleep. It is a win-win for the Spartans.
Christopher Beheler is a Georgia native and life long Georgia Bulldogs fan.
