Poll: Did Michigan or MSU win the battle of special game-day uniforms?
Michigan's Adidas-designed 'legacy' uniform vs. Michigan State's Pro Combat Series uniform from Nike.
Michigan: Angela J. Cesere; Michigan State: Courtesy of Nike
The ultimate resolution will come on the field in East Lansing on Saturday, but why wait that long for a Michigan vs. Michigan State contest? Even if it's just for fun.
As the football teams prepare for their annual intrastate game, there is one competition that can be decided now: Which program’s special game-day uniforms do you like best?
Michigan wore “legacy” uniforms in its home night game against Notre Dame. Designed by Adidas, the jersey with a maize block “M,” a small number high on the left side and five maize stripes on each shoulder were intended to incorporate elements of various Michigan looks from the 1980s to now. The “legacy” uniform also featured the return of numbers to the side of Michigan’s iconic helmet, a look the team has continued in Big Ten play.
While Michigan’s special uniforms honored its past, the Pro Combat Series that Nike designed for Michigan State to wear against the Wolverines on Saturday (noon, ESPN) have a decidedly more futuristic look. Still, there are historic elements: According to the MSU football website, the Spartans’ uniform incorporates a bronze color (including a bronze helmet) in honor of the armor of their historic namesake and a carbon fiber plate symbolizes that of the Spartan shield. The back collar is inscribed with the words “Molon Labe,” the Spartans’ defiant challenge to “come and get them.”
Which do you like better? Or, perhaps, you’re in the David Molk camp. When the senior center was asked Monday if he had any thoughts about Michigan State rolling out a special uniform, he quickly replied: “I could care less.”
Need more images to decide? Here are photo galleries of the Michigan and Michigan State uniforms.
Comments
riverraisin
Wed, Oct 12, 2011 : 12:21 a.m.
One other observation... Will sparty spend the whole game holding their hands in that position so we don't mistakenly think that we're playing Notre Dame, again??
Hmm
Tue, Oct 11, 2011 : 5:23 p.m.
Probably should wait until the actual game to post this poll. Can't really make a judgement on state till we've seen it on the fie.d. With that said, Blue's uniform is better obviously.
David Vande Bunte
Tue, Oct 11, 2011 : 1:27 p.m.
I hated Michigan's overall uniform, but it did give us the numbers on the helmets, which I LOVE. Sparty's uniform is just god awful. if they had swapped the gold for white, giving them a white helmet with the green logo, it would have actually looked really good, but that gold just ruins the whole look.
rs
Tue, Oct 11, 2011 : 11:38 a.m.
The MSU uniform is just dumb. It makes no sense to have a uniform that doesn't match your team colors. At least UM didn't come out in royal blue and white uniforms.
MRunner73
Tue, Oct 11, 2011 : 11:37 a.m.
This is about the game and the plays on the field. I will be focusing in on how each team executes. Too much being made on how the uniforms look. Last time I checked, no style points are awarded, just line up and go at it.
redceder1
Tue, Oct 11, 2011 : 5:53 a.m.
I admit I am not crazy about the "Pro Combat" look. This is just what Nike and Addidas want. But that big bright yellow M? Sure looks intimidating to me. What is with the wing tip helmets? Is your mascot a shoe salesman? Or do the wolvies in AA where wingtips? Actually with the striped shirts and helmets they look more like bumble bees. Gerogia Tech wannabies?
ThoseWhoStayUofM
Tue, Oct 11, 2011 : 5:19 a.m.
Michigan's are vastly better. Sparty's uniforms weren't inspired by bronze shields. They look like they were inspired by a can of Vernor's. At least Michigan's uniforms actually bear school tradition, and not some historical reference to a dead society of miscreants. There is a reason why Sparta no longer exists and Athens does. I'll give you a hint: the difference between Athens and Sparta is similar to the difference between Ann Arbor and East Lansing. Answer: Cultural diversity and intellectual superiority.
treetowncartel
Tue, Oct 11, 2011 : 4:02 a.m.
Tie, I dislike them both equally
KINGofSKA
Tue, Oct 11, 2011 : 3:18 a.m.
I do like the Spartans, only they didn't even keep their colors. You can't really put these two in the same competition though because ours were considered throwbacks and these are just new, slicker versions of their uniforms.
Ron Granger
Tue, Oct 11, 2011 : 1:34 a.m.
The Spartan mascot wears a SKIRT. Until the Spartans own up to that legacy and incorporate skirts into their on-field uniforms, they will always be in denial.
BornInA2
Mon, Oct 10, 2011 : 11:19 p.m.
Is this a real question? Hey, which do you like better: A cold beer or a glass of cod liver oil? Great unis little sis. Who are you now, Notre State?
David Briegel
Mon, Oct 10, 2011 : 10:18 p.m.
Which team will be the "cutest"? Wow, what has happened here?
riverraisin
Mon, Oct 10, 2011 : 10:17 p.m.
I'm in the I don't care category... The only design changes that look good on sparty unis are grass stains, clods of dirt in their face masks, and cleat marks on their backs.
BlueGator
Mon, Oct 10, 2011 : 10:07 p.m.
When I first saw UM's legacy uniform, I didn't like it. I basically hate change in general, and think the normal uniforms are classic and shouldn't be messed with. However, the more I see photos from the ND game, the legacy unis are appealing to me. I wouldn't mind if they became our official home night game uniform in the future. The block M would HAVE to go since I recall they needed a special one-game approval from the referees to have such small numbers on the front of the jerseys. Just replace the M with larger numbers. The bumble bee stripes showed up well under the lights.
azwolverine
Mon, Oct 10, 2011 : 10:03 p.m.
I vote Michigan's uni. At least we kept our team colors.
goldenblue
Mon, Oct 10, 2011 : 9:39 p.m.
Spartys uni looks like a ND knock off.
Lorain Steelmen
Mon, Oct 10, 2011 : 9:20 p.m.
I agree with Molk..I could care less. Seriously, I think this is a huge mistake for msu to be foolin' around with the unis.
rickske
Mon, Oct 10, 2011 : 9:01 p.m.
We should one up them with the blue pant and yellow Block M.