Ranking the SEC’s alternate uniforms

Published: Sep 4, 2015 · 9:58 PM EDT

Which teams have the best alternate uniforms in the SEC?

Personally, I’m excited to see the Nike era kick-off at Tennessee and Vanderbilt’s creative ‘Dark Water’ combination make its debut later this fall.

RELATED: 2015 SEC helmet rankings

Going over every team’s 2015 uniform options, here’s a glance at the updates we’ve published over the last month in prep for the new season. Earlier this week, we ranked the SEC’s home and away uniforms for this season.

2015 SEC UNIFORM UPDATE

RANKING THE SEC’s ALTERNATE UNIFORMS

Editor’s note: Some teams won’t be wearing alternate uniforms this season, nor do they have an alternate option currently available. We’ve mixed things up a bit with these rankings and taken a look at both 2014 and 2015 combinations involving several SEC programs who aren’t afraid to go outside the box.

1. VANDERBILT (Anchor Down, Deep Water)

The Commodores’ all-black Anchor Down look last season failed to meet NCAA regulations since slogans are not permitted on jersey nameplates. Safe to say Vanderbilt has come back with a vengeance in 2015. The recently-revealed ‘Deep Water’ silver, gold and chrome alternates is one of college football’s most impressive alternates and my personal fave in the SEC.

2. TEXAS A&M (1939 throwbacks, Aggie Nights)

Kevin Sumlin admits there are some lines he simply won’t cross from an apparel perspective, but he’s been willing to test out several new looks since his arrival in College Station that have made for pleasing results. Last season, the Aggies debuted 1939 throwbacks with ‘stressed leather’ helmets along with an iced-out white alternate with a stellar helmet.

Texas A&M will wear a black alternate this season against South Carolina on Halloween with a reflective helmet decal.

3. KENTUCKY (Chrome, Grey)

The Wildcats’ decision to add grey to their gameday colors of choice wasn’t viewed favorably by traditionalists, but it has resulted in a variety of unique options when paired with chrome helmets and blue pants. Last season’s chrome helmet-black alternate look gave Kentucky some much-needed swagger.

4. TENNESSEE (Smoky Mountains)

Nike’s alternate answer to the Vols’ grey alternate under Adidas, Tennessee is set to wear a ‘Smoky Mountains’ style later this season with one of the most unique helmets in college football. The two-toned alternate with orange accents is unique and program-specific, an element the Swoosh has tried to convey in recent years with update wordmarks and uniform design.

MIZZOU, SOUTH CAROLINA, FLORIDA (Monochrome looks)

Three teams in the East often wear one-color combinations at home — the Tigers, Gamecocks and Gators. For many games during the longest-home winning streak in school history under quarterback Connor Shaw, South Carolina wore all-garnet. Mizzou has several different all-black combinations with varying helmets while Florida’s all-blue, for the most part, is worn against SEC competition.

Brad Crawford