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Ranking the SEC’s 2015 alternate uniforms
Just missed the cut: Mizzou’s all-white, Mississippi State’s all-black (and secondary grey pants); Kentucky’s multitude of combinations.
6. South Carolina’s ‘Tailfeather’ helmet
Chrome garnet tailfeathers on a white shell? We’re in. Shawn Elliott surprised his players against Florida following pre-game warmups with a never-before-seen logo that nearly spanned South Carolina’s entire helmet. It marked the first time since the mid 1970s the Gamecocks did not wear the program’s recognizable ‘Block C’ primary logo on their shells. Paired with the black alternate uniform, perhaps this alternate helmet would’ve received more positive pub if it were black with a chrome decal. Just a thought.
5. Florida’s ‘Two-sided’ helmet
Give Jim McElwain credit — he’s tried to infuse some excitement into the program this season with several different uniform options including the all-blue home alternate and orange jerseys. But the Gators’ two-sided white helmets against Vanderbilt came as a surprise. The program’s primary wordmark on one side and the traditional ‘F’ on the other, it channeled memories of Tim Tebow and a previous alternate the Gators revealed during his tenure.
4. Tennessee’s ‘Smokey Grey’
One of the league’s most anticipated alternates this season during Tennessee’s first year with the Swoosh, the Vols’ two-toned smokey grey was well-executed — better than those other grey monstrosities worn during the Adidas era. Nike stepped it up with additional ‘Power 5’ details with heavy orange accents throughout. Tennessee’s helmet featured an outline of the Smoky Mountains, a standout detail for originality. The double-layered orange stripe down the center of the helmet that fades to the familiar checkerboard really completes this look.
3. LSU’s white helmets
Rarely are we given the opportunity to see LSU’s alternate white helmet, but the Tigers brought it out for a special home game against South Carolina in October. Paired with purple jerseys and white pants, the set became an instant classic. Dare we say this should be LSU’s home primary option next season? We doubt the Tigers’ all-white look worn last time out we’ll be seen again anytime soon.
2. Texas A&M’s ‘Aggie Nights’
When teams go all-black, simple is better. And matte helmets are in. The ‘Aggie Nights’ set revealed vs. South Carolina were meant to be worn at night since helmet logos were reflective, so much of the buzz surrounding one of the SEC’s best looks this season dwindled. Nevertheless, Adidas did a great job incorporating as little silver and maroon as possible into Texas A&M’s jersey and the alternate logo on the pants at the left hip looked outstanding. Coming in a distant second is the ‘Aggie Ice’ creation that Texas A&M donned over the weekend in Nashville. The helmets were awesome, but the monochrome white look with silver accents left a lot to be desired and lacked originality.
1. Vanderbilt’s ‘Deep Water’
Set off by a HydroGraphic helmet complete with a gold foil facemask and anchor logo, Vanderbilt’s ‘Deep Water’ alternate set the Commodores debuted against Georgia in September and wore again against Texas A&M is easily the SEC’s best alternate look this season. It’s an original look from Nike in the era of copycat syndrome in the uniform department. Stylized gold numerals contrast well on a gray base and the program’s reveal was one of college football’s best this season. And the cleats? Black Zoom Vapors with gold swooshes were the perfect finishing touch.
