The 25 Best College Football Uniforms For 2012

Uniforms are serious business. Missteps get boos and triumphs are forever remembered. Nowadays, the scope of the uniform is broader than ever. Especially in college football.

With the season just over the horizon, we take a look at the best uniforms that will grace campus gridirons from coast to coast. Some are one off, special occasion gems, while others revamp iconic looks. We consider all — from technological innovation to subtle aesthetic choices — as we weed out the weak and celebrate the best of the NCAA.

The 25 Best College Football Uniforms For 2012

Wyoming

University of Wyoming

Brand: Nike

Camo accents! Hell yes! Paying tribute to the armed forces, the Cowboys will sport this crazy kit in 2012. With the schools classic brown and yellow as guide, pixelated camo accents the pants and caps the shoulders. Some might call it ugly. We say that sometimes ugly wins.

USC

University of Southern California

Brand: Nike

Since Penn State has been washed from our memory, we hereby declare the Trojans winners of most iconic college football uniform of all time. (Yes, we know about Michigan, the author of this text was even born there, but fuck them).

Southern Miss (Throwbacks this season)

Southern Mississippi

Brand: Nike

There are a good number of throwback looks for the 2012 college season, but few rank as high as Southern Miss' 1970 look. No inspiration, just straight up exacting detail (except, of course, they now play with contemporary technology and materials). The helmet rules too. Well played, Southern Miss. Well played. A perfect way to celebrate 100 years on the field.

Texas A&M

Texas A&M

Brand: adidas

Inspired by the uniforms worn in the 1970s, Texas A&M's new uniforms tie heritage to the future for their debut season in the Southeastern Conference. Featuring Lone Star TECHFIT fabric from adidas, the uniforms take the standard and reduced its weight by 30%. In short, it is built for speed and the contemporary game. The helmet is designed in collaboration with Hydro Graphics Inc. The traditional Maroon color is maintained, but given an anodized look via subtle translucent Hydroskin process. They are calling it the Lone Star uniform package.

Kentucky

University of Kentucky

Brand: Nike

Kentucky has no shortage of options for 2012. The Wildcats new uniforms allow for exactly 18 distinct looks, if you play with combinations of jerseys, helmets, and pants. The checkered arms are a nice touch. Is it enough to make us forget that UK is, after all, a basketball school?

Rutgers

Rutgers

Brand: Nike

Rutgers hits the field with a new coach and a trio of Nike designed and manufactured uniforms for 2013. The Scarlet Kights new look matches the NFL's new Pro Combat technology. The design is clean, crisp, and privileges the block R logo (considered the schools most valuable asset) on the helmet. The team will wear red at home, white away, and black for alternate occasions.

Oklahoma State

Oklahoma State University

Brand: Nike

There have been years were Cowboy uniforms have generated hatred from fans and potential recruits. 2011 wasn't one of those years. Nike's push of multiple looks gave the team a new dynamism and we can't front on the all-gray get up with orange accents. The matte helmets are also a killer touch. One of the carryover looks that will continue to dominate in 2012.

UCLA

UCLA

Brand: adidas

The folks from Westwood have a truly classic look, so it is no wonder fans scoff when 3rd or alternative uniforms are presented. However, we're not opposed to the black set up proposed for this season's home coming game. The Bruins would get a hard edge, something other more risk taking school's have already benefited from.

Washington

University of Washington

Brand: Nike

Black. Gold. Purple. So sick.

Wisconsin

University of Wisconsin

Brand: adidas

When the Badgers take on Nebraska on September 29, they'll be representing in a special adidas TECHFIT uniform. The large "block W" pays tribute to the 1962 Big Ten championship team. That team wore the "block W" on their helmets and went on to defeat USC in the Rose Bowl. Wisconsin grads in the office are hoping this uniform spurs repeated history.

Baylor

Baylor University

Brand: Nike

Baylor's uniform's are a carryover from the 2011 season. We're not mad. There is a balance of invention and tradition that keeps pace with the team's forward moment (a new stadium will open in 2014).

Illinois

University of Illinois

Brand: Nike

New helmets and a new shoulder graphic give Illinois a fresh face for the 2012 season. Orange and blue are hard to deny, especially with the accenting is better than it has ever been. Nike supplies the uniforms. Can the Illini supply wins?

Minnesota

University of Minnesota

Brand: Nike

Three new jerseys, three new pants, and all-new tech from Nike make the 2012 Golden Gopher uniforms the best in University of Minnesota history. Most impressive is the new font, drawn from a vintage jersey from the 1940 season and given added texture through incorporation of Memorial Stadiums trademark bricks in the patterning. The new helmet is a matte maroon. We like matte color helmets.

Maryland

University of Maryland

Brand: Under Armour

Under Armour's flagship school rivals Oregon for bold, inventive uniform design. For 2012, we're sure their will be a number of looks, but for everyday the Terps will wear a subdued uniform with state flag inspired piping. The clean design will certainly compliment wild alternative looks, which is to the benefit of Under Armour CEO Kevin Plank. We're preparing for a knockout punch later in the season.

Arizona State

Arizona State

Brand: Nike

Yes, "fear the fork" is a corny campaign. But, those helmets are pretty dope. Especially dope when paired with a fierce all-black Nike uniform. The Sun Devils aren't half-stepping in 2012.

Vanderbilt

Vanderbilt

Brand: Nike

Vanderbilt hasn't had the school name written across its football jerseys since 1994. That element is back for 2012, along with a series of other nice features on a system that allows for nine distinct looks. The text "Anchor Down" is stitched in the interior of each neckline, with an "anchor" emblem adorning the homeplate of each jersey. On the pants the same Star V logo seen on the helmet appears on each hip. All in all, the uniform is a solid upgrade for the Commodores.

Marshall

Marshall

Brand: Nike

For 2012, the Thundering Herd update their away look to match their home dudes. A white shirt is teamed with green pants for what is ultimately a pretty traditional look. What's so dope about it? Nike's utilized the coolest font in college football to emblazon "The Herd" across the chest.

FSU

Florida State University

Brand: Nike

FSU has one of college football's most iconic looks. In all white, things get so clean you sort of want to see Bobby Bowden on the sideline. We won't go so far as dreaming of a Charlie Ward second act. But, you should get the point. This is classic stuff. The new Pro Combat uniform from Nike keeps pace with tradition and provides some breathtaking design elements. Just check the pants.

Miami

University of Miami

Brand: Nike

On the surface, Miami's look doesn't change much for 2012. However, the technology does. The Hurricanes are moving to Nike's Pro Combat system. That Flywire on the shoulder looks so damn sick, but will design help them take opponents by storm?

Missouri

Missouri

Brand: Nike

Tiger stripes and the primary identity of the tiger are central to the newly designed Mizzou Tigers uniforms, which also include a custom typeface. Football is the first program to push out a new brand identity built in collaboration with Nike that will hit all fields of play. From the looks of things, this a match made in heaven.

Arkansas

Arkansas

Brand: Nike

Down in Arkansas a new system of dress is set for the 2012 college football season. The University of Arkansas Razerbacks will take the field in new Nike uniforms incorporating the latest sporting technology and highlighting the heritage of the state's sporting tradition. "RING THE BELL," the team's most notable rally cry is embroidered in the neckline of all three new jerseys—the classic white and cardinal jerseys are joined by a fresh (and "fierce") alternate anthracite. Technological advices will keep players cooler and better protected from heavy hits.

Virginia Tech

Virginia Tech

Brand: Nike

Virginia Tech will wear their camo unis in benefit of the Wounded Warrior Project when they face Bowling Green on September 22. The camo helmet is the kicker for us. Powerful look.

Northwestern

Northwestern University

Brand: Under Armour

Before this season, the notion of putting Northwestern in a list of best uniforms would have been laughable. That was before Under Armour stepped in and gave the school a complete (but historically driven) makeover. They've "reclaimed the stripe" - the common arm accent on so many jerseys started with the Wildcats - and incorporated elements of campus architecture into the numbers. Even the base layers integrate to the total look, making this uniform hit the mark from all distances.

TCU

Texas Christian University

Brand: Nike

TCU's black-and-purple is football perfection. However, the school is flipping the script for 2012 with a Nike provided gray helmet. It is undeniably cool, and shares the same textured pattern as the jersey numbers. Another strong aesthetic twist for the Horned Frogs.

Oregon

Oregon

Brand: Nike

No doubt about it, Oregon leads the NCAA in pushing uniform boundaries. Through innovative technology and superb graphic design, Nike has turned its flagship school into one that looks as good as it plays. (Is there some correlation? We think so). For 2012, the Ducks will again go hard. Wings on the shoulders and much more make the jerseys stand high above the rest of the fold.