Does Michigan have the best uniforms in the Big Ten? BTN's tournament says yes
Perhaps the only part of the Michigan football uniform not to undergo experimentation last year was the color scheme.
Turns out, people still love the Wolverines' regular duds.
The Big Ten Network held a three-week "uniform bracket" competition, for which the final results were released Monday. The verdict: Michigan clubbed fifth-seeded Iowa, 71.11 percent to 28.89 percent, to win the title.
Jeremy Gallon sports Michigan's classic look, which won a Big Ten Network contest for best uniforms in the Big Ten.
Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com
The Wolverines beat Northwestern and Michigan State en route to the finals.
While the classic look has endeared itself to fans, Michigan attracted attention last year for its frequent wardrobe changes.
A "Legacy" jersey was introduced for the Under The Lights game against Notre Dame, and was well-received. A road version of the Legacy jersey was used at Michigan State, and was a little more polarizing. Michigan simplified that look for its Sugar Bowl game against Virginia Tech.
The Wolverines, for the record, went 2-1 in those games. The wins, which came against Notre Dame and Virginia Tech, came in dramatic fashion and were two of the program's more memorable games in the past few years.
Just for good measure, Michigan also introduced helmet numbers for the first time since 1968. The numbers, which appeared near the ear holes on both sides of the helmet, originally were worn against Notre Dame and then brought back for the final nine games.
Experimentation aside, it's hard to beat Michigan's classic look. And for that, the Wolverines finally won that Big Ten championship Brady Hoke's been seeking.
Check out the rest of the uniform results here.
Kyle Meinke covers Michigan football for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at 734-623-2588, by email at kylemeinke@annarbor.com and followed on Twitter @kmeinke.
Comments
The1Cool
Tue, Apr 3, 2012 : 5:44 p.m.
I love all the jerseys. The classic originals and the throwbacks from the ND, MSU and VTech games. I'm not among those that are constantly opposed to change. Especially seeing as it was temporary, 3 out of 12 games. I'm looking forward to maize coming back instead of this bright yellow in both the football and basketball jerseys.
D21
Wed, Apr 4, 2012 : 9:52 p.m.
Same here.
RJ12688
Tue, Apr 3, 2012 : 6:57 a.m.
I didnt mind the sugar bowl uniforms, but i'd like to see the traditional ones for the home games. Can't go wrong with the best uniform in college sports.
aarox
Tue, Apr 3, 2012 : 4:26 a.m.
Our uniforms represent our tradition and history. Let's keep it that way.
Matt Patercsak
Tue, Apr 3, 2012 : 4:23 a.m.
Don't get me wrong, I'm a Michigan fan, but I do like MSU's uniforms these days. The darker green and stripe on the helmet are pretty sharp. NIKE is superior to Adidas. If i won the mega millions I would make a new contract between Michigan and Nike.
treetowncartel
Tue, Apr 3, 2012 : 3:21 a.m.
The winged helmet represents the advent of the passing game, of course our uniforms are iconic.
Steve
Tue, Apr 3, 2012 : 2:24 a.m.
This was a no brainer. The real contest was for second place!! The worst thing is having to listen to all the Sparties like sandokan for the next few years. Right now its we won the last 4, next year it will be we won 4 of the last 5, then in 2013 we won 4 of the last 6. Maybe by 2014 they will all shut up!! GO BLUE!!!
Terry Star21
Tue, Apr 3, 2012 : 2:12 a.m.
It's no secret that America loves Michigan Wolverine Football, unless of course you are from the colleges north and south of here, of which Michigan has owned over the last century, then...... "Michigan also introduced helmet numbers for the first time since 1968"....yes, but Terry Star21 keep the tradition going all these years...... MgoBlueForTiM....the best team commands the best uniforms..
Ron Granger
Tue, Apr 3, 2012 : 1:17 a.m.
The Spartans could easily take this - but only they would embrace the skirt that the spartan mascot wears and add a skirt to their uniform.
Arborcomment
Tue, Apr 3, 2012 : 2:08 a.m.
Would bring new meaning to three yards and a cloud of (?) dust. Excellent Ron.
David Briegel
Tue, Apr 3, 2012 : 1:11 a.m.
Michigan doesn't have a uniform, they have a wardrobe!
Tru2Blu76
Mon, Apr 2, 2012 : 11:26 p.m.
I've always like "most" versions of the Michigan uniforms and of course, nothing will ever beat the winged helmet design - with or without numbers. But as with military forces, the greater the history and greater the number of wins, the more impressive and admired are the uniforms. I would like to know the actual theory driving uniform changes: what is the goal of such changes? By fan reaction, we already know the assumptions behind changing the design of uniforms don't always seem to be holding up to reality. Whoever thought up the retro-uniforms had not bothered to watch the George Clooney movie, Leatherheads. Then again, Michigan could have done worse: by hiring the style consultant for the Oregon Ducks. LOL!
treetowncartel
Tue, Apr 3, 2012 : 3:49 a.m.
Uniform changes are driven by potential sales of new merchandise.
MRunner73
Mon, Apr 2, 2012 : 9:16 p.m.
Sticking with the traditional uniforms would be fine with me. I sense Michigan will do something different for the Alabama game and of course, for the ND night game. I'd be shocked if there no uniform changes in each of the first two games.
David Vande Bunte
Mon, Apr 2, 2012 : 9:04 p.m.
I am going to disagree about the numbers on the helmets. I hated everything about the retro uniforms against Notre Dame EXCEPT the numbers on the helmets. That was the one thing they got right. I hope they make the helmet numbers permanent.
ted
Mon, Apr 2, 2012 : 7:27 p.m.
Part of great uniforms is their consistancy and Michigan has had that. Same with the team's coaching. Regarding that, it appears that Hoke and Borges are not making any type of progress with this offense and with the recruiting slump we have now found ourselves in the recent last month or so, It's obvious the coaching staff has hit the ceiling in terms of their potential. Hoke and Borges have found themselves on the hot-seat this year because of that and it is put-up or shut-up time. So if they fail to drastically improve from last year there is a good chance we will be looking for another coach.
GoBigBlue
Tue, Apr 3, 2012 : 2:36 p.m.
Good call Teddy! I think when you and Dave Brandon sit down at the end of the season to evaluate things, your input will be very important. The only problem may be your credibility as an M fan what with you heading up the Urby Lust Camp and all. But yeah, I'm sure your right. Hoke is on the hot seat. Hahahahahahaha!!
Terry Star21
Tue, Apr 3, 2012 : 2:04 a.m.
You continue to crack me up Ted, you are funny !
Hailmary
Mon, Apr 2, 2012 : 10:02 p.m.
Ted which is it, "The Outer Limits or The Twilight Zone" that motivates your thinking process? Ted, for your sake I'm going to assume that you are just , "yanking our chains". At any rate Ted, I like a guy with a sense of humor.
heartbreakM
Mon, Apr 2, 2012 : 8:29 p.m.
Good thing that Hoke and Borges don't live in the former coach's house, because that roof and ceiling would have a huge hole in it!! I hear that the ceiling's in that house were in the 3 foot range, while hoke's is a lot higher!!
Scott Laux
Mon, Apr 2, 2012 : 8:19 p.m.
I hear that song from Hee Haw whenever i read Theodore. Gloom, Despair, and agony on me. Deep dark depression excessive misery. If it weren't for bad luck i'd have no luck at all. Gloom despair, and agony on Ted.
Hailmary
Mon, Apr 2, 2012 : 7:24 p.m.
I love the traditional helmet look, don't like the number on the helmet. I think the uniform and helmet changes were a nice, hopefully temporary touch after the depressing years and issues that RR brought to our program. I would like to see the traditional look 75% of the time.
heartbreakM
Mon, Apr 2, 2012 : 6:46 p.m.
Good stuff. I don't go to that website, so I didn't even know of the uni bowl. I love Michigan's home uniform and helmet--very classic, very central to college football. The road jerseys through the years have been good--my favorites were about 10 years ago (and during the championship year of 1997-98) which had block M's on the sleeves. I liked this year's Sugar Bowl uniforms, but I really hated the constant changing up of uniforms to keep up with the Jones's. As one of our favorite posters states, "This is Michigan". And our consistency of uniform is part of that, without being boring. I hope we keep the Sugar Bowl jersey as our away jersey, and dont' mess with that home jersey any more. Kyle: Do you know if the number is going to be permanent under Hoke? I like the helmets without the number personally, but that's not the worst thing in the world.
Kyle Meinke
Mon, Apr 2, 2012 : 6:50 p.m.
heartbreak, I don't know if the number is permanent. That's been on my list to ask Hoke for a while now, just haven't gotten around to it. Will next week, maybe. My guess, though, would be the number stays. It looks good, and Michigan had a great season with them last year.
Ted Bundy
Mon, Apr 2, 2012 : 5:52 p.m.
Sandokan- Thank you for your continued support of everything UM related. That is an impressive streak you guys have going. But your streak of 0 BCS bowl games is even more impressive. NOW that is funny.
GoBlue2009
Tue, Apr 3, 2012 : 2:35 p.m.
An even more impressive streak for them? No Rose Bowl since the 1987 season.
sandokan
Mon, Apr 2, 2012 : 5:32 p.m.
That's fine Kyle. Say, who was the team you lost to with your NUMBER ONE uniforns? Yea, that's right Kyle - five in a row. That is so funny.
Terry Star21
Tue, Apr 3, 2012 : 2:08 a.m.
Good job sandokan, but hey; you still have the green spartan skirt - good job. How miss sparty has won four out of the last ten games against Michigan and 32 of the last 99 still amazes me......