Like it or not, alternate uniforms are here to stay. As long as there is money to be made, Nike will keep churning out new looks each year to sell more jerseys. We went through this exercise once before, but with the continuing trend of rolling out new uniform combinations, it’s time we give it a refreshed look ourselves.
With that said, let’s take a look at the top five alternate uniforms from the past several years.
5. Rivalry – 2012 (Michigan)
The Rivalry series was the traditional Ohio State Uni on steroids. Thick strips on the helmet and shoulders looked like a Mack truck headed your way.
The look took small liberties with the every Saturday home uniform to give it just enough of a different feel. It was a modern take on the traditional uniform we love. The chromed helmet and leaves along with the reflective numbers really made this look pop.
Add in a 26-21 win over TTUN and capping a perfect 12-0 season made it shine even more.
Overall Grade: B+
4. Wolf Pack – 2017 (Penn State)
At first we didn’t love this look, but we feel it aged very well. The all gray look was unique, but what really made it work was the digital camo lids with the chromed scarlet leaves.
When you add in the fact that the game played out as one of the all time Buckeye classics, well that just adds to the beauty.
Down two scores going into the fourth quarter, JT Barrett completed 16 consecutive passes and three 4th quarter touchdowns to lead the Buckeyes back to victory over Penn State. A blocked punt on special teams and stifling defense to close out the game leave a favorable impression of these threads.
The only thing that could have made this alternate uni better would have been some scarlet trim around the numbers, shoulder and pant strips.
Overall Grade: A-
3. Dark Night At The Shoe – 2015 (Penn State)
Coming in at No. 3 the all black Dark Night at the Shoe uniforms. This may be the most controversial of the alternate uniforms because it was the first time Ohio State had broken away from the traditional scarlet and gray.
A monochrome of black with scarlet accents made for a nice clap back to Penn State’s “white out”. The Bucks made the all black ensemble look really nice with a 38-10 win over the Nits.
Best part of this uniform was the scarlet buckeye leaves on the black helmet, known as blood on the leaves.
This look also topped our fan poll of favorite alternate uniforms.
Overall Grade: A
2. Music and Cannon Fire – 2016 (Nebraska)
In 2016, Ohio State paid homage to the 1916 Buckeye team and superstar Chic Harley.
The vertical gray stripes on on the scarlet jersey gave these uniforms a real throwback feel. The matte black helmet was a tribute to Harley who was once described as “music and cannon fire” for his style of play.
Ohio State would trounce Nebraska 62-3 in these beauties.
Overall Grade: A
1. Diamond Quest – 2015 (Oregon)
What can you say? An absolute classic and it really doesn’t get much better.
Everything looks traditional and clean with this uni. I almost didn’t count it as an alternate, but the black numbers on the shoulders pay homage to the 1968 National Champion Buckeyes. And everyone loves the thick gray stripes on the sleeves.
An all around great look. Ohio State and Nike would make a lot of people happy if this were to become the regular home uniform.
This ensemble was especially appealing while hoisting the first ever College Football Playoff Championship Trophy.
Overall Grade: A+
