Top 20 College Football Throwback Uniforms of All-Time
Nov 1, 2014; College Station, TX, USA; Texas A&M Aggies linebacker Shaan Washington (33) celebrates a tackle with lineman Jarrett Johnson (40) against Louisiana Monroe Warhawks during the second quarter at Kyle Field. Texas A&M Aggies won 21-16. Mandatory Credit: Ray Carlin-USA TODAY Sports
Many teams may wear a flashy new uniform every Saturday, but sometimes a traditional look from the past is best. We count down the top 20 college football throwback uniforms of all-time.
College football looks a lot different today than it once did. For a sport draped in history and tradition with fandoms that are passed down from generation to generation, the teams on the field are sometimes unrecognizable from the ones that came decades before them.
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Sure, Alabama, Penn State, Texas, USC and a handful of others look nearly the same today as they did 50 years ago, but to appeal to players and recruits an overwhelming number of programs have adopted third and fourth jerseys to go with two, three and four different helmets.
Sometimes, alternate uniforms look great. Plus, there are plenty of instances where teams have improved their on-field look over time by tweaking older styles. But too often, teams aim to make a statement with single-use, outlandish uniform combinations or adopt non-traditional school colors (think about the black and/or gray jerseys at Oregon, Nebraska, North Carolina and Kentucky, among others) and new-age technology for helmets (chrome is very popular these days, for example).
They are often a hit with the kids, but old-timers longing for the good ‘ole days at State School U often shake their heads.
Yet there is one type of alternate college football uniform that is often celebrated by fans, players and recruits alike. Every once in a while, we experience a program that brings back a retro look to highlight a historic season or legendary player from the past. When done right, throwbacks are new and exciting for the young, familiar for the traditionalists, and usually look great on the field of play.
With that in mind, let’s take a look at the top 20 college football throwback uniforms of all-time.
Next: 20. Baylor, 2013