Ranking the Big 12’s uniforms from worst to first
It has been less than a week since we ranked each Big 12 football stadium and yet three more teams have already been added (come 2024) to the conference since then. This is the state of college football in 2023 during the era of realignment.
Now, we’re going to be taking a look at the fashion game of the Big 12. Colorado is in an interesting position in that a majority of these teams have been conference rivals in the past either in the Big 12 or Pac-12, but a new crop of uniforms is just waiting to be dissected.
Not including Colorado, which we all know would lead this list, here’s my ranking of the Big 12’s uniforms:
Baylor
The best look: All-green
I am not of fan of this color scheme. The green is okay but going away from gold to this shade of yellow just doesn’t work for me. Baylor’s all-green look is its best look with the all-whites being a close second.
Arizona State
The best look: Desert Ice
Another school with yellow as a primary color (spoiler alert), ASU will be unveiling new uniforms this offseason and hopefully, the Sun Devils will be embracing the maroon side of their color palette.
West Virginia
The best look: All-blue
WVU has the leg up on Baylor and Arizona State as the Mountaineers have the best color to counter the yellow that adorns the other two schools. This yellow strangely works as an accent to the Mountaineers’ all-blues, but it becomes blinding when it is used as the main color in the uniform.
TCU
The best look: All-black or purple/black/purple
I am a fan of classic, clean-looking uniforms. TCU has a great color palette that is weighed down by the frog spikes that wrap the jersey collar.
Oklahoma State
The best look: Black cursive helmet/black top/orange pants
I have always really liked OSU’s uniforms, that is until its most recent change to include the oversized cowboy on the helmet with the bandana collar. I do really love the alternate helmet with the cursive “Cowboys” on the side, however.
Central Florida
The best look: All-white with a black helmet
This may seem counter to what I have been saying, but the UCF uniforms are too plain. I also don’t like when teams add a color that doesn’t match its recognized colors, such as the “space” uniforms that UCF used last year that added baby blue lettering.
Arizona
The best look: All-white or all-blue uniforms with a white helmet
Arizona has always rocked a very classic-looking logo and its move back to a classic uniform look has really made them stand out to me. Arizona should ditch all other helmets besides its whites as the white helmet looks so much better than the alternates.
Cincinnati
The best look: All-black or all-white
Cincinnati is at its best when the Bearcats are wearing a single color as the standout color at all levels. When they mix and match, the uniform just doesn’t look as good to me.
Texas Tech
The best look: Black helmet/red jersey/black pants
The Red Raiders’ best look comes when the main color is split. Red and black look great together and seeing them on this uniform works well.
Iowa State
The best look: Blackout
Iowa State has done well to ditch the yellow that I highlighted my distaste of at the top of the list, especially when it comes to the Cyclone’s blackout uniform that includes a white-accented Iowa State logo.
Houston
The best look: Cursive Cougars alternate
Another classic jersey with a red/white/black palette, Houston has an awesome alternate that includes the Cougars in cursive across their chest instead of the block Houston lettering. This is also a great white helmet.
Utah
The best look: Throwback intertwined “U” jersey and helmet
This uniform works mostly due to its inclusion of a throwback logo that is featured on the helmet and pants. My favorite uniform was the look that the Utes went with recently in the Rose Bowl.
Kansas
Rate the Kansas Jayhawks new uniforms 1-10.. pic.twitter.com/NiKAZlFZHB
— CFBLIVE247 (@CFBLive247_) July 8, 2023
The Best look: All-white
Kansas changed its uniforms this offseason and it is a call back to yesteryear for the Jayhawks. Kansas went with a block look on the lettering while minimizing the red.
BYU
The best look: Anything in royal blue
BYU did a great job in going back to the royal blue look. The combinations are endless, but I am a sucker for the white helmet, royal blue jersey and white pants.
Kansas State
The best look: Silver helmets/purple jerseys/silver pants
Kansas State has the best-looking uniform in the conference (after CU) with a classic look that I hope the Wildcats never change. Purple and silver work great together and have made the team look great for years.
