The Kansas football program on Tuesday night released the school's new-look uniform, dubbed Crimson Chrome, which "features red pants, red jerseys, a red helmet (complete with a chrome face mask) with a huge Jayhawk head on the top and side and chrome numbers, letters and Jayhawks dotting the look," according to Matt Tait of the LAWRENCE JOURNAL-WORLD. The new uniform "comes on the heels of last year's uniform explosion which allowed the Jayhawks to mix and match tops, pants and helmets for triple-digit uniform options." Red uniforms "have been popular with the KU fan base for a number of years, dating back to the success the Jayhawks had while wearing them in their Orange Bowl victory over Virginia Tech" in '08. The uniforms are "more of a modern spin on the old classic" (LJWORLD.com, 8/13). ESPN's Michael Wilbon said, "Young kids love the color in these uniforms, they want the helmets out of control." ESPN's Jason Whitlock noted some of the new uniforms across college football "are tastefully over the top." However, the KU jerseys are "not tastefully over the top" and they speak to "how bad this program is." Whitlock: "It could get worse, and that's why the uniform is over the top. Come out and see the uniform because the guys in them can't play" ("PTI," ESPN, 8/13).
COLOR SPECTRUM: In Idaho, Brian Murphy noted Boise State's football team "will wear an orange helmet" for its opening game against Ole Miss on Aug. 28, marking the "first time the team has worn" the color on its helmets. Former coach Chris Petersen "was not a fan of orange and de-emphasized it somewhat in the Broncos' uniform color schemes." Boise State now has blue, white, black and orange helmets to "choose from when planning its uniform combinations." The team "has not said what color jersey or pants it will wear in the season opener" (IDAHO STATESMAN, 8/13).
DARK MATTER: In New York, Mark Gaughan noted the Univ. at Buffalo "will unveil a new black helmet to go along with black pants and black jerseys, for its Sept. 12 home game against Baylor." UB "is promoting the game as a 'blackout' and encouraging fans to wear black" (BUFFALONEWS.com, 8/12).
UNIS & DRAGONS: YAHOO SPORTS' Sam Cooper noted UAB's football team has a "brand new look" for the '14 season. The "best part of the new look is definitely the helmets," which feature a "huge fire-breathing dragon logo." UAB has not had a winning record since '04, and while new uniforms "won’t impact the team’s play on the field, they will generate a bit of excitement around the program and for the players" (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 8/13).
