Wisconsin's New Adidas Football Uniforms Blend Old School, Futuristic Look

The Univ. of Wisconsin yesterday revealed new adidas football uniforms that the Badgers “will wear Sept. 29 for their prime-time game at Nebraska,” according to Adam Mertz of the WISCONSIN STATE JOURNAL. The white uniform is a “mix of old-school and futuristic,” and features “bright red shoulders and a red block ‘W’ -- and, notably, ‘Badgers’ on the back where the nameplate would go.” The helmet “carries over that bright red, with a block white ‘W’ and a black facemask.” The black shoes feature “red and white elements that are reflective.” Wisconsin CB Devin Smith said, "It's very unusual for Wisconsin to do anything out of the normal, traditional uniforms.” Mertz wrote the shock factor of a uniform deviation “at most schools is big, but especially so at Nebraska and Wisconsin, whose conservative look is both ingrained and incredibly similar” (WISCONSIN STATE JOURNAL, 8/7). ESPN.com’s Adam Rittenberg wrote the new uniforms are “not as jarring as Nebraska's, given the Huskers' iconic look during the years.” Rittenberg: “I actually prefer Nebraska's look to Wisconsin's. But the differences between the two uniforms aren't major.” The alternate unis for the teams “also are obviously linked” (ESPN.com, 8/6).

COUGAR TOWN: In Houston, Joseph Duarte noted the Univ. of Houston football officials yesterday unveiled “a few changes to their game-day look … including a redesigned football helmet and a patch to commemorate the final season at Robertson Stadium.” The new helmet features “a truer red -- with a metallic base -- and the Cougars’ interlocking ‘UH’ logo introduced in the spring.” In past seasons, the helmet featured the red used by the Chiefs “and metallic flakes embedded in the paint.” UH’s jersey “also includes an updated logo and more prominent ‘Houston’ across the front” (CHRON.com, 8/6).

TURTLE POWER: In DC, Dan Steinberg wrote the Univ. of Maryland football uniforms for ’12 have “names on the back, a change-of-pace from last year’s anonymity.” The state pride helmets “are also significantly different from last year’s models” (WASHINGTONPOST.com, 8/6). In Baltimore, Jeff Barker wrote the Terps' football team -- "which has more uniform combinations that fashion models have shoes -- may wear other jerseys that may not include individuals' names." Maryland DT Joe Vellano said that having players' names on jerseys "is probably a bigger deal to their parents than it is to the team" (BALTIMORESUN.com, 8/6).