In honor of the first meeting of the college football selection committee this Tuesday, we are selecting our own top four college teams. However, while the selection committee faces the daunting task of separating teams based on strength of record, quality wins, and performance on the field, we are ignoring all that, and instead making our selection based solely on the “eye test”, the uniforms they wear on the field.
Selecting the top four uniform sets in college football is no easy task either. Developing a system that gives equal consideration to the traditional uniforms of the SEC and B1G, as well as the more modern looks of the Big XII and Pac 12 was quite challenging. We also decided to focus on the 6 AQ conferences, Notre Dame, BYU, Navy and Army for the sake of time. Sorry to the bracket busters, you will be considered in 2015.
A team is judged based on the entire uniform set that we have seen so far in 2014, so uniforms that have not debuted yet (the Florida State black uniform), or hypothetical combinations of pieces of uniforms will not be considered. Each different uniform combination will be graded using a variety of criteria including, but not limited to:
- Easily identifiable
- Aesthetically appealing
- Traditional
- Innovative
- Effectively references school nickname, traditions, or icons
The top rated team in each of the six conferences and one independent will then be reconsidered against each other to decide the top four teams.
Of course the rankings can change every week based on different uniform combinations, and unlike the actual college football playoff, fan opinion may also be able to move a team up or down, so feel free to leave comments.
American Athletic Conference
Conference realignment has really affected this conference, and with so many teams leaving it seems the traditional looks of the Big East have left along with it. There weren’t too many great looks to point to in the American, but one team clearly stood out among the rest. The Pirates of ECU have fallen in love with the color black. Perhaps black is a fitting color for Pirates, but their best look is definitely their primary purples. Dear ECU, please wear these more. Sincerely, Everyone.
AAC Champion: East Carolina
Atlantic Coast Conference:
The ACC probably has more orange that any other conference in the country, so it is no wonder that and orange team, Clemson, would make its way into the 2014 ACC Uniform Championship. Florida State and Clemson definitely battle it out for the best uniform combos in the league. Clemson’s use of orange is done so well, so many teams can’t find a classy way to use that color. Looking at you Tennessee. Clemson’s road uniforms with the orange pants are better than the FSU roads. However, the new FSU home combination is nearly perfect with the use of actual Seminole symbols. The difference later in the season could come down to the alternate looks of black for FSU and purple for Clemson. This one came down to a coin flip.
ACC Champion: Florida State
Big 12:
The Big 12 is split between the traditional looks of Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas State and the modern templates of TCU, West Virginia, Texas Tech and Baylor. This was without a doubt the hardest conference to find a winner in. Comparing traditional against traditional and modern against modern we created an impromptu conference championship. Texas and their classic burnt orange uniforms might be the best example of a great timeless look and nudged Oklahoma because of the awful Sooner alternates. Baylor and West Virginia both tied the team nickname into their uniform subtly and nicely. Baylor in the bear paw shoulders, and WVU with its pick axe numbers. The Mountaineers ultimately get the nod because they have yet to wear a uniform combination that has not looked great. Longhorns vs Mountaineers. Classic vs Modern. Timeless vs. Right now.
Big 12 Champion: West Virginia
Big Ten:
Probably the least flashy conference in the country, and also the conference that does alternates all wrong. wrong. wrong. The Big Ten needs to stick to what it does best, simple uniforms that are reminiscent of the old-school style of football they play. Process of elimination is what helped find the champion of this conference. Iowa is eliminated because they send their uniforms to Pittsburgh on Sundays. Wisconsin and Nebraska are identical twins. Northwestern brought this monstrosity out of the depths of hell. Michigan has the best helmet in the country, but its road jersey template with the yellow stripe doesn’t say “Michigan.” Penn State. Navy. White. What more can you say about the Nittany Lions? Rutgers and Minnesota make great efforts to take the crown. Michigan State has looked good as of recent years, and Ohio State combines its classic look with a more modern one effortlessly. However, Maryland combines state pride with some of the most creative uniforms every year.
Big Ten Champion: Maryland
Pac-12:
Oregon. That’s it. Schools like Oregon State and Arizona State have closed the gap slightly, but the Ducks ARE uniforms.
Pac-12 Champion: Oregon
Southeastern Conference:
Similar to the Big 12, the SEC is a battle of ideals as far as uniforms go. LSU, Ole Miss, Alabama, Auburn, Tennessee, and Georgia have remained true to their traditional uniforms. While Mississippi State, Kentucky, and Texas A&M have shown us some razzle-dazzle so far. The team that does the best of combining a classic look in modern times and does it a variety of ways is Florida. The three different pants combinations that all look good with white or blue tops is what pushes the Gators to the top of the conference.
SEC Champion: Florida
Independents:
Between Notre Dame, BYU, Navy and Army it came down to the alternate uniforms. All are great in their own way, but Navy gets the edge because of the differing ranks on the uniforms themselves. One of the coolest uniforms this year.
Independent Champion: Navy
With all being considered we had to get from 7 teams to the top four to battle it out. It was a tough decision but ultimately this is what we came up with.
First two out: Florida, Florida State
1. Oregon vs. 4. Navy
2. Maryland vs. 3. West Virginia
These rankings could of course change as the season comes to a close. Let me know what you think, who got left out, what would your College Football Uniform Playoff look like? Let me know in the comments below.
Aesthetics of Athletics 
