Sometimes, it’s all about the classics.
In a recent ranking of the best college football uniforms in the country by USA, the University of Michigan comes out on top.
The Wolverines have been wearing the winged helmet since 1938. The design had a very practical purpose.
The distinctive helmet would also have practical advantages on the field. Crisler figured the helmet would help his halfbacks find receivers downfield. “There was a tendency to use different colored helmets just for receivers in those days, but I always thought that would be as helpful for the defense as for the offense,” Crisler recalled.
The USA Today FanIndex is a little different of a methodology than your average list. They use social (media) aggregation and online polling across weekly editorial themes such as best tailgates and best traditions. The index is then measured based on social activity of each school’s fanbase, including sharing photos and videos, as well as the voting results of the weekly polls asking fans to determine which schools offer the best experience.
Previous lists with University of Michigan mentions include ranking #8 for schools that have produced NFL players (Tom Brady, Dan Dierdorf, Elroy “Crazylegs” Hirsch, Ty Law, Tom Mack, Charles Woodson for example); #4 for best stadium atmosphere; #3 for best fight song; and #7 for best road trip.
So this ranking isn’t as much a judge’s critique about the aesthetic and the art, it’s about how loud and active fans are around the topic and online voting.
With that in mind, the rest of the list is below. Michigan State, for what it’s worth, received an honorable mention in this particular list.
- Michigan
- Oregon
- Notre Dame
- Hawaii
- Tennessee
- Ohio State
- Alabama
- North Carolina
- Texas
- Boise State