Vance Bedford on alternate uniforms

[BevoBlake]

My impression is that Bedford is talking about neon colors (a la Oregon or Baylor), ASU, or any number of schools that have let their uniform manufacturer manipulate their uni's to a mostly unrecognizable look (that often includes a color that isn't even a school color). On a pendulum scale, you've got:

USC's helmet       --->      Alabama's houndstooth numeral font     ----->   ND's Shamrock series    ------>    ND's alternate / OU's alternate  ----->    Arizona State/Baylor/Oregon

In VB's old school mind, he's off that scale to the left side.

I agree with every single thing you said. I'm simply trying to clear up the fact that very few schools haven't made use of an Alternate Uniform. And most people don't consider what USC, Notre Dame or Alabama did to be damaging to their brand. 

I'll also say this. Is there anything wrong with Arizona State or Oregon running their uniform gimmick? This is unrelated, I'm just opening up the conversation while we're discussing uniforms. It's a great recruiting tool for those schools. There ARE kids out there who want to play in flashy/edgy new duds. Whether or not those are the kids you want on your team or not is an entirely separate conversation. But the fact remains that there are kids who like that. And as so, those kids tend to gravitate to schools like Oregon, Arizona State, TCU and etc. 

Do I think every school should do what Oregon does? Absolutely not. But their continuous alternating identity has more or less become a tradition at Oregon. I personally prefer their classic uniforms as I think they demonstrate the true identity of Oregon. But I can't argue that they've created a buzz and interest off of the way they've played the uniform game. 

I think there are good ways to handle alternates (Navy) and bad ways to handle alternates (Oklahoma). I'm not going to be upset if Texas never has an alternate. But I'm not going to be upset if Texas does decide to have an alternate. I simply think the people who consider any addition of an alternate uniform to be an offense to the integrity and tradition of a school are being slightly short-sighted. That's just my opinion. 

 

[J.B. TexasEx]

IMO, many alternate uniforms work for teams like Oregon, ASU, TCU, etc., because they don't have a traditional, immediately recognizable brand.  Maybe ASU did at one time, but they fell on hard times and decided to let Nike re-brand their entire athletic department - Sparky's dead.  The gimmicks work for them.

The same gimmick won't work for UT because our fans are more set in their ways and traditional.  Our teams need to look like the four National Title winning teams.  We've already got the most unique mascot in CFB and a color unique to The University.

What more do we need? 

 

[BevoBlake]

IMO, many alternate uniforms work for teams like Oregon, ASU, TCU, etc., because they don't have a traditional, immediately recognizable brand.  Maybe ASU did at one time, but they fell on hard times and decided to let Nike re-brand their entire athletic department - Sparky's dead.  The gimmicks work for them.

The same gimmick won't work for UT because our fans are more set in their ways and traditional.  Our teams need to look like the four National Title winning teams.  We've already got the most unique mascot in CFB and a color unique to The University.

What more do we need? 

Very solid post JB, I agree. Much like, many wow.

 

[Matthew1967]

Capes, and we definitely need to capture that "swag factor".....maybe a swag Lear jet?

Seriously, though, I would like to see us go back to the 70's grey facemasks.

 

[J.B. TexasEx]

Capes, and we definitely need to capture that "swag factor".....maybe a swag Lear jet?

Seriously, though, I would like to see us go back to the 70's grey facemasks.

Nah...

I wouldn't mind seeing "candy stripes" return to the pants, though. Much to DKR's chagrin.

 

[BevoBlake]

If I may, without diverting the topic too much. I feel like if you're Texas, you can find something modern and still pay tribute to tradition. Nebraska did a fine job of this, IMO, when they worked with Adidas on their Blackshirt Alternates. While I'd typically roll my eyes at yet another blacked out uniform, Nebraska actually had a reason to use the modern style. This is what the Uniform looked like:

I'm sure most of you already know about the tradition but in case you don't, you can click this: Blackshirts

If Texas does adopt an alternate, they'd need to follow in the footsteps of a school like Nebraska or Navy who did so in an effort to honor their strong traditions. 

 

[Chris Flanagan]

Texas is one of the few schools that specifically do NOT do alternate jerseys. I mean the Buckeyes have done it, Michigan has done it, but not Texas. 

Actually Texas, along with Florida and Georgia(?) have not had alternate jerseys. 

 

[J.B. TexasEx]

Texas is one of the few schools that specifically do NOT do alternate jerseys. I mean the Buckeyes have done it, Michigan has done it, but not Texas. 

Actually Texas, along with Florida and Georgia(?) have not had alternate jerseys. 

I don't think Penn State has either.

 

[Chitownhorn]

Certainly you aren't comparing USC's chrome facemasks or ND's  green jerseys to Oregon, Baylor, ASU, Iced Out, etc? If so, then Texas can claim alternate uniforms since they wore a numbered helmet.

If I'm not mistaken, didn't they have alternate uniforms last year for the RRS? They had gold in them I think.

 

[BevoBlake]

Texas is one of the few schools that specifically do NOT do alternate jerseys. I mean the Buckeyes have done it, Michigan has done it, but not Texas. 

Actually Texas, along with Florida and Georgia(?) have not had alternate jerseys. 

 

[BevoBlake]

If I'm not mistaken, didn't they have alternate uniforms last year for the RRS? They had gold in them I think.

They did. Both UT and OU wore Golden Hat alternates in the RRR game last year.

 

[streettopeschel]

that FLA alternate strengthens the 'just say no' argument. turrrible.

 

[BevoBlake]

that FLA alternate strengthens the 'just say no' argument. turrrible.

It's probably one of the ugliest uniforms I've seen. Truly a representation of wearing a new uniform for the sake of wearing a new uniform. There was nothing special about that uniform that spoke to the University of Florida. Just a wack design that found itself on a collegiate football field. 

 

[Chris Flanagan]

Well okay. BevoBlake has proven me wrong.

Then Mr. BevoBlake, which school, besides Texas, has not changed their uniform? There has to be one, right?

 

[BevoBlake]

Well okay. BevoBlake has proven me wrong.

Then Mr. BevoBlake, which school, besides Texas, has not changed their uniform? There has to be one, right?

That depends I suppose. Every team has made small changes to their Uniforms. Texas hasn't always had a Longhorn emblem on their jersey. Penn State is probably the closest to an unchanged uniform as you're going to get. After the Sandusky scandal, they made an effort to change the image of the team and therefore put the players names on the uniforms. Outside of that, Penn State has been rolling out the same uniform forever. Then you have Texas, USC and Alabama. 

I'd need to do some research but outside of throwbacks, I don't think Iowa has worn an Alternate. 

Edit: Iowa has.

 

[monarch]

welcome aboard to HORN SPORTS matthew 1967!​

 

[Davharjac]

IMO, many alternate uniforms work for teams like Oregon, ASU, TCU, etc., because they don't have a traditional, immediately recognizable brand.  Maybe ASU did at one time, but they fell on hard times and decided to let Nike re-brand their entire athletic department - Sparky's dead.  The gimmicks work for them.

The same gimmick won't work for UT because our fans are more set in their ways and traditional.  Our teams need to look like the four National Title winning teams.  We've already got the most unique mascot in CFB and a color unique to The University.

What more do we need? 

Let me first say that this is not directed at you JB in any form, but towards the crutch of tradition.. 

I don't like this argument at all

Oregon does actually have a pretty decent football tradition...

And at what point does their current winning tradition come in to play? That is to say their uniforms may be a gimmick( i tend to lean toward niche) but their winning isnt...I'd take on a gimmick or two to win..

People also are very quick to mention Oregon as if that is what the supporters of alt unis want to become..Michigan, Bama, Notre Dame, USC..all as storied...all have done a once a year alt..and yeah it's for recruiting reasons...Yeah I know "if unis matter to the kid, I don't want him...blah blah.." Kids/youngmen/whatever like them...not sure why, but hey they do. When I was that age playing college football and we'd get a uni...it pumped us up..dumb, maybe.

This topic annoys me...because the minute anyone mentions that they would like an alternative uniform, or even has the thought that it would be cool they're hunted down and shot by the traditional police....THINGS CHANGE..PEOPLE CHANGE...TRADITIONS EVOLVE  

I just think it's polite excuse peple use for saying..." no, I like it better this way...and you might be an idiot for wanting change" 

 

[Davharjac]

They also wore these in the past VS aggy...so there's that..

 

[monarch]

Let me first say that this is not directed at you JB in any form, but towards the crutch of tradition.. 

I don't like this argument at all

Oregon does actually have a pretty decent football tradition...

And at what point does their current winning tradition come in to play? That is to say their uniforms may be a gimmick( i tend to lean toward niche) but their winning isnt...I'd take on a gimmick or two to win..

People also are very quick to mention Oregon as if that is what the supporters of alt unis want to become..Michigan, Bama, Notre Dame, USC..all as storied...all have done a once a year alt..and yeah it's for recruiting reasons...Yeah I know "if unis matter to the kid, I don't want him...blah blah.." Kids/youngmen/whatever like them...not sure why, but hey they do. When I was that age playing college football and we'd get a uni...it pumped us up..dumb, maybe.

This topic annoys me...because the minute anyone mentions that they would like an alternative uniform, or even has the thought that it would be cool they're hunted down and shot by the traditional police....THINGS CHANGE..PEOPLE CHANGE...TRADITIONS EVOLVE  

I just think it's polite excuse peple use for saying..." no, I like it better this way...and you might be an idiot for wanting change" 

 ​

exceptional posting!​

omg davharjac, i knew that there was indeed a god above...​

now this is what i'm talking about!​

 

[MikeV73]

Bedford being "misinformed" on alternative uniforms has nothing to do with wins or losses. Any ND alternative uniform I have seen is usually ridiculous with huge fighting leprachans or giant clover emblems on the helmet. Should UT run with the smiley Bevo or angry Bevo logos that have surfaced of late? To each their own, but I will continue to vote for no change to our classy uniforms. We will see which recruits we garner down the stretch, I don't think they care that UT is not changing uniforms. Wins and good coaches= recruits.

Addendum: let's hope the lack of wins this season doesn't mess with my formula above!

Just like religion and politics, Longhorn uniforms should not be discussed...LOL. Let's hope we can get beyond this ongoing discussion and get back to winning on the field...in our classic uniforms!