Featuring around 136 FBS schools and 10,000 athletes, EA Sports College Football 26 does a great job of delivering the true experience of College Football. A huge part of this experience is the team uniforms, which EA has nailed in this iteration. Since die-hard College football players care about the tiniest of details, the developers have ensured that all the uniforms are accurate to a T.
Speaking of uniforms, last year’s College Football also did a phenomenal job in this regard, but EA has truly raised the bar in CFB 26. That said, which of these uniforms stands as the best? In this article, I’ll be breaking that down.
Before we start, though, I want to mention this ranking is purely subjective. Since every team has its traditions, history, and cultural significance, each fan will have a different list of the best uniforms. So, while your favorites might differ, here’s how I rank mine, trying to be as objective as possible.
Army Golden Knights – 101 Airborne Alternate
Starting this list is the Army’s 2024 101 Airborne uniform. This one is remarkable as it creatively gives off the vibes of the Battle of the Bulge from World War II.
The overall matte black finish on the jersey with snow-dusted shoulders captures the essence of American history. Plus, if you pay attention to the helmet, you’ll notice different card suits printed on it, such as a club, spade, or heart. These are assigned randomly to each player, reflecting various glider troops who participated in the actual war.
Navy – Jolly Rogers Alternate
For me, Jolly Rogers Alternate is the most appealing uniform out of everything the game offers for the Navy. With white-on-white and navy blue accents, players glow differently in this kit.
The reason this uniform made it to my list is the classic Jolly Roger skull and bones artwork featured on the helmet, which gives off untouchable vibes. Another aspect that attracts me is, of course, the chevron stripes featured on the shoulders and the back of the helmet. They do a great job of honoring the nine different aircraft Jolly Rogers flew himself.
Notre Dame Fighting Irish – Shamrock Alternate
The Shamrock Alternate is a visual treat, as it effectively reflects the school’s Irish heritage through its various creative aspects and attention to detail.
With a blue-on-blue monochromatic approach, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish stand out on the field. The slight shamrock motifs and gold accents, on the other hand, further enhance the visual appeal without creating distractions in the design.
However, my favorite part of this uniform remains its iconic golden helmet. Its metallic finish not only makes it the team’s signature but also accurately symbolizes their roots and traditions.
Memphis – Current Alternate
While Memphis has a lot of uniform choices to choose from, they are still underrated, mostly due to their typical blue and white theme. However, the Current Alternate offers something out of the box, which caught my attention.
Since gray uniforms are a rare sight on the field, you can opt for an all-gray Memphis uniform and stand out. Featuring blue accents and lettering, this is something unique. You are also getting a blue helmet with tiger stripes, which continue on the shoulders to enhance the overall elegance.
Oregon Ducks – Home Fly Era
When it comes to uniforms, the Oregon Ducks are synonymous with providing unique design selections. Thanks to their iconic color scheme of green, yellow, white, and black, we have exceptional combinations to choose from.
But the most dearest to me in College Football 26 is the Home Fly Era. First seen in 2024 during a match against Ohio State, the all black uniform gave the Oregon Ducks a lethal look on the field. Plus, the green letters and outlines, along with the chromed jerseys and pants, made them stand out even more. I’d choose the Ducks just to be able to use this uniform.
East Carolina Pirates – Current Home
The East Carolina Pirates look crazy in their current home uniform, as it gives off energetic and royal vibes. The main highlight is, of course, the dominance of deep purple, used throughout the uniform.
The sharp gold color utilized on the shoulder accents, along with lettering and numbers, provides an elegant finish. Plus, the metallic purple helmet and golden pants illustrate an overall eye-catching visual experience. I love this uniform for two reasons: first, the purple and gold color combination is striking; second, it reminds me of the Lakers — and while I try to be objective, a man’s heart can only take so much.
San Diego State Aztecs – Home
While the Pirates’ purple and gold combination remains striking, the Aztecs step into the field with something better. Their all-black uniform with red accents takes the cake, and paints them as a menacing team that will beat anything in its sight. (Not really, they didn’t have a great 2024 season.)
In addition to the red articulations, the uniform and helmet showcase detailed Aztec patterns, which perfectly honor the heritage and history of San Diego. Additionally, the modern fit and finish ensure that all players look sleek on the field, creating a strong overall aesthetic.
Penn State Nittany Lions – Current Home
Very few teams can carry a minimalistic look, but the Penn State Nittany Lions have managed to rock one with their Current Home kit. It’s widely known as one of the simplest uniforms in not just the game but in real life as well.
With blue jerseys and white bottoms, you won’t be seeing player names here since there is only one name that truly matters, and that is Penn State. The other unique aspect of this uniform is that it is considered a symbol of college football, as it has remained unchanged for decades. Some might even say this is football heritage, and it’d be dumb to disregard that.
UCF – 2024 Space U
UCF is easily one of those big programs that never fail to amaze us with their clever uniform designs. That’s why their 2024 Space U stands as a favorite for many football fans.
A tribute to Florida’s commitment to space travel, this uniform captures your attention with its black jersey fading into white, through a transition of vanishing black dots. This design continues with white pants, which contain attractive space-themed logos on the upper right.
Now here comes the part that interests me, the helmet. While it’s just like your regular UCF helmet, the Space U features NASA mission badges stacked vertically. I don’t think there is a better way to blend space travel and football.
Tennessee – Smokey Grey Alternate
While Tennessee nailed their last year’s kit, the latest smokey grey addition is a step above. For me, this one is an all-time legendary College Football uniform, mostly due to its unmatched color scheme.
Sure, I have mentioned other blacked-out uniforms above, but this one is highly dominated by dark grey. Pair that up with orange, and it becomes majestic. The tristar logo on the shoulders, all of the decals on the jersey, and the pants — everything just pops.
Coming to the helmet, the glossy grey shines in the field, and if you look closely, you can’t resist praising the details. On the surface sits the illustration of the Smoky Mountains, plus a letter “T”, which helps you instantly recognize the team. Truly deserving of the top 10 spot.
With that, I conclude my list for the best uniforms in the game. If you want to take a look at all the uniforms in the game and create your own ranking, check out this article.
