CU Buffs tease new uniforms, silver may be out the window
Despite an air of uncertainty surrounding the 2020 college football season, teams are trying to maintain some semblance of a normal offseason and generate excitement for the upcoming year. The Colorado Buffaloes football program did just that, as they ushered in the new decade with a fresh set of uniform designs made by Nike.
Uniforms may seem like a small detail, but their importance is undeniable. They are a major branding opportunity and help create a team's identity. Sometimes uniforms can even define an era. In general, good uniforms improve brand awareness, merchandise sales and the overall buzz around a program.
Anytime a team debuts a new look it generates excitement and starts the debates amongst fans. Having slick uniforms doesn’t necessarily correlate to wins but can help give a team confidence and be used as a recruiting tool.
Nike put together six concepts for the Buffaloes in 2020. There are some classics and familiar fan favorites, including the “stormtrooper” all-white look, and the “blackout” uniform with the throwback Ralphie logo, but perhaps more notable is the lack of a silver/grey option. Silver has been used off and on as one of CU’s primary and trim colors since the 1920s. In 2015 a silver/grey concept was introduced and was highly popular. Also missing from the featured looks is the popular Gold-White-Black combination that the Buffs have sported in some of their most memorable games (Fiesta Bowl 1995, “Miracle at Michigan” 1996).
There may have only been six concepts revealed, but the Buffaloes can create dozens of jersey combinations if they so choose, including a Gold-White-Black version.
This year, the jerseys are a part of the Nike Pro Hypercool series that features a layer designed to keep the jersey’s cool and breathable. The trim features white and gold or black and gold on all of the jerseys.
On their feet, the Buffs will be flying in their Nike Vapor Edge 360 Flyknit cleats that are built for agility and speed. “Its internal full-foot plate creates flexible support, while wide stud placements let you cut fast. 360 degrees of Flyknit construction around the foot combines with a NikeSkin overlay to create a lightweight, fast feel with a sock-like fit” (Nike.com). The shoe comes in primary colors of white, black and gold.
The new uniforms were announced via the CU football team twitter page and were displayed in the form of stylized drawings.
Each uniform design is described below.
1. Classic (Gold, Black, Gold)
Helmet: Gold
Logo: Original
Jersey: Black
Pants: Gold
Gloves: White
Socks: White
Shoes: White
Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Analysis: The gold helmet and black jersey combination are synonymous with CU. It is CU’s most iconic look and l gives people flashbacks of nationally dominant CU teams of the early 1990s. Add in the gold pants and you have the same base uniform that Buffs have been rocking on and off since 1985 when black replaced blue as one of CU’s primary colors. The gold on the pants has evolved into a much lighter shade over the years.
2. Gold, Black, Black
Helmet: Gold
Logo: Original
Jersey: Black
Pants: Black
Gloves: Black
Socks: Black
Shoes: Gold
Ron Chenoy/USA Today
Analysis: Perhaps my favorite uniform of the bunch. The all-black look below the helmet (except for gold cleats) is stylish, sleek and pops off the page. The first time the Buffaloes wore a black jersey and black pants combination was in 1987.
3. Gold, White, Gold
Helmet: Gold
Logo: Original
Jersey: White
Pants: Gold
Gloves: White
Socks: White
Shoes: White
Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Analysis: This year's white and gold combination is a mix of last year’s all-white except gold pants (WSU game) and the all-white except gold helmet (ASU game). It incorporates the team’s best helmet (gold) and is better than either of the similar versions last year.
4. Black, White, Black
Helmet: Black
Logo: Original
Jersey: White
Pants: Black
Gloves: White
Socks: White
Shoes: White
John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports
Analysis: White jersey and black pants are another classic CU combination, but I favor the pairing with the gold helmet instead of the black. Nonetheless, black, white, black is a solid combination and much better than many of CU’s white helmet featured uniforms.
5. Blackout All-Black
Helmet: Black
Logo: Throwback
Jersey: Black
Pants: Black
Gloves: Black
Socks: Black
Shoes: Black
Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Analysis: The Buffs have utilized a “blackout” jersey off and on since 2011. It is undeniably stylish but unfortunately has proved to be somewhat of bad luck charm. CU has lost seven times since 2011 wearing the all-black look. The throwback Ralphie decal is a highlight of this uniform.
6. “Stormtrooper” All-White
Helmet: White
Logo: Original
Jersey: White
Pants: White
Gloves: White
Socks: White
Shoes: White
Analysis: The “stormtrooper” uniform has the best name and has been a fan favorite over the last couple of seasons. The all-white is a basic concept that yields a clean and stylish uniform. I still prefer uniforms that feature CU’s iconic gold helmets, but the “stormtrooper” is a worthy exception.
This year's crop of new uniforms does not provide a drastic redesign or a bold new look, but instead showcase a modern version of a classic white, gold and black CU uniform set.
There is nothing that Buffs players, coaches and fans want more than to see these new uniforms in action. Not only would the Buffs be looking good, but it would mean that there is a football season...something that doesn’t get taken for granted these days.
Feel free to let us know your favorite uniform combo and why in the comments below!
