This is an automated archive made by the Lemmit Bot.
The original was posted on /r/cfb by /u/matte_purple on 2024-08-22 16:28:25+00:00.
Good afternoon to the awesome folks of r/CFB! Welcome to my uniform ranking of the 2023 Utah Utes! In Utah’s final season in the PAC-12, we saw a lot of wild games, huge blowouts, and close defensive battles. I hadn’t done much research on the Ute’s uniforms before the 2023 season, and I was very pleasantly surprised by both their uniforms (and Under Armour’s surprisingly good job here) and gameplay. They’ll make a fine addition to the Big 12! Let’s have a look at their combos, featuring some facts, stats, and history. As always, feel free to disagree with me or tell me if my placements feel right. I’m interested in hearing what you think, or in seeing how y’all would rearrange the rankings. Keep in mind I’ve already ranked TTU, UCF, Oklahoma State, Arizona State, Colorado, TCU, West Virginia, Kansas, with links for those breakdowns at the bottom of the post. Enough preamble, let’s do it!
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11. Black/White/Black - Week 5 at Oregon State (L, 21-7)
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“Oreo” looks like this one tend to feel right. But here, I just don’t get that same click that I do in a lot of other combos. I think a lot of this look tends to be thrown off by the black helmet. It’s easily my least favorite of the more standard shells (white, red, and black). It just seems a little dated, and when you’re used to seeing the iconic “feather and drum” logo a certain way, this version just feels a little wonky. But it isn’t all bad! The black helmet works much better in some other combos on this list. Also, I’ve said in the past two team rankings (Texas Tech and UCF), flaunting black as an official school color is something that you have to take advantage of. This one just feels a little weird. One thing that has to be mentioned before moving on is the excellent “Utah Stripe.” The Utah Stripe is a widely recognized striping pattern known throughout the uniform industry first used by Utah Football in the 1950s. The striping was then periodically used from 1960-1990s by various Utah teams but was reintroduced by Utah Football in 2015 when Utah unveiled an alternate U of U Throwback which included elements drawn from various decades. The Utah Stripe became a permanent fixture again 2020 with the Ute’s latest refresh.
10. White/Black/Black - Week 13 vs Colorado (W, 23-17)
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Same story to the last rank, this one just seems like it de-emphasizes the “red” part of Utah. In schools like Texas Tech and UCF, I expect to see more black. But for Utah, I feel like more red is crucial. I think a red facemask and white pants would have moved this look a bit, but for the most part it just feels like it should either be less - or all the way - black. I will say this: the white helmet is a nice touch here. The logo pops incredibly well. Where does this logo come from, you ask? The University of Utah in 1975 patterned its popular drum and feather logo after a Native American (Ute) drum. And yes, the logo itself may raise some important questions, but strictly based on looks, this is a wonderfully unique and striking logo that really completes the combo nicely. Before 1975 - or at least from 1965-1975 - Utah used the interlocking UU logo, which we’ll see later.
9. White/Red/Red - Week 3 vs Weber State (W, 31-7)
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we are! Back to basics for the Utes. We finally get to see more red than black. Some black looks will creep pretty high in the rankings, but as a general rule of thumb I go for the more crimson and white combos. Interestingly enough, this was the Utes’ fifth time wearing this exact combo, which has a 4-1 record. Funnily, it was even worn on the road - at Arizona - in 2021. It was also worn in 2020 when the great #22 Ty Jordan notched a comeback win vs the Cougars of Washington State. Look wise it definitely has legs, but the black end caps on the shoulders (which sport the identifiable “Utah Stripe”) feel a little jarring when paired with the white helmet. Not a huge gripe, but a big enough detail to move them down a bit.
8. Red/White/White - Week 12 at Arizona (L, 42-18)
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Not a bold look, but not a meek one either, this combination feels right down the middle. While the rankings don’t necessarily reflect that, these just feel like a safe option. The statistics reflect that, too: it’s been worn 25 total times in the Ute’s Under Armor era, for a record of 13-12. Again, it just feels like the “workhorse” away look. Which isn’t bad at all! I especially like the red helmet, which is my (and I’m sure many fans) favorite helmet color. I will say that a fun touch, like an oversized feather and drum logo, might have put this look up higher. Still, it’s a classic and recognizable suit for the Utes!
7. Red/Red/White - Week 9 vs Oregon (L, 35-6)
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Here’s a crazy stat for you. This is the first time the Utes have lost in their hand painted helmets since the tradition began in 2016, making the record an incredible 10-1. I have enjoyed many of Utah’s hand painted helmets in the past (usually painted by Nebraska-based artist Armando Villarreal), especially those that honor or transcend football(2022 helmets honoring Ty Jordan, 2021 helmets memorializing the U.S.S Salt Lake City, and 2019’s 150 Years of Utah football helmets). These particular helmets honor the MUSS, or Mighty Utah Student Section. One side of the red helmet has a depiction of the MUSS flag, with the silhouette of a crowd of students below it, while the other side has a depiction of a Utah flag. On the back of the helmet is the “3rd Down Jump” sign, a longtime tradition for students at Rice-Eccles Stadium where the rowdy MUSS holds up three fingers and jumps up and down on - you guessed it - 3rd down. But I’m going to be honest here. I don’t like the hand painted helmet as much in this situation. If I can draw a comparison to BYU’s helmets vs Arkansas in 2022 - which are just a realistic cougar/mountain vista on a blue gradient - these just feel like they detract a little from a well established identity. I respect and love when it’s done as a real honor or memorial (in the case of 2019, 2021, and 2022), but ones like this, the Hawk Feather helmets, or the “Throwin’ up the U” lids just feel like they’re a bit too much. I understand and respect the tradition immensely, of course. But here especially, it feels a tad odd.
6. Black/Black/Black - Week 10 vs Arizona State (W, 55-3)
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I’ve echoed this statement before, specifically in reference to Iowa State, BYU, and Kansas: Blackout and Whiteout uniforms are all about ~identity.~ With most of these suits, the default is as much black/white as possible to make a statement or look cool. It tends to have the opposite effect of blending in with an overdone fad. But teams that can pull it off have a few things in common: enough color to be noticeable, liberal use of a colorful logo or name, and enough structure to make the individual pieces stand out. This is a blackout uniform done right. These suits are actually helped immensely by the red shoulder caps and Utah Stripe throughout, which adds more character than a standard double or single stripe. Black and red is so just so dang menacing. The black helmet feels less out of place here, too (obviously). These glossy black helmets are relatively new, having been introduced in 2022, with various matte black shells showing up before. And like I said in the #11 spot, these black helmets do really work out here.
5. Red/Red/Red - Week 1 vs Florida (W, 24-11)
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A more school-centric version of the blackout look, the all-red suit we have here is easily the winningest combo Utah has in their wardrobe. According to my research, the Utes have an astounding 25-3 record in this combo In the Under Armour era. And what’s not to like about this particular suit? It takes a bold team to pull off a monochrome suit, and the Utes do it! The particular shade of red, the structure added thanks to the “Utah Stripes,” the bad-ass feather and drum logo that feels subtle, yet powerful on the red shell, all complemented by slight white touches like the facemask and numbers. The chest plate gets a little busy with the captain’s patch, bowl patch, “UTAH” wordmark, and UA logo, but that’s the only real issue I have. This is my favorite of the standard home looks for Utah, especially when Rice-Eccles Stadium is having a “red out” game, like this was against Florida.
4. Red/White/Red - Week 2 vs Baylor (W, 20-13)
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The next 4 suits are all incredibly close together. Any one of these could have snuck in the top spot in another ranking, and I’d wholeheartedly agree. But this one is a great “regular” look. No themes, no throwbacks, no tricks, just standard Utah charm. This particular combo looks incredibly proportional. The perfect amount of red and white, with an equally proportionate amount of black and gray in the striping, outlines, and numbers. Symmetrical, to boot, in both stripes on the shoulders, helmet, and pants colors - of course - all while showing off that incredible drum and feather lo…
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