Ranking the Ducks Past Decade of Uniform Combinations: The Best of the Best
As the team goes on the mend during their bye week, we want to take the chance to look outside of the box and dive deeper into what got the Oregon program to the level it's at today. This marks the final installment of our uniform rankings — these are the fits that solidified the Ducks as a National Brand, and they're the reason why you see sports mega-stars rocking the Oregon 'O' when they're out and about. These uniforms are the reason that the Ducks are your favorite team's favorite team.
If you're a fan of Oregon football, chances are that you're a fan of uniform combinations. Sometimes they're flashy, sometimes they're safe, but always they are touted as the newest and sleekest designs, gifted to the school by Uncle Phil and the Nike Corporation.
The peak of the Oregon program came from 2011-2015, and those years in uniform history rank among our top 5 for a reason. The helmets were shinier, the wings were cooler, and the jerseys were cleaner. Nike was just flexing on the world now, and they were using the Ducks to show their muscle. If you think of some of the greatest moments in Oregon football history, chances are that they happened while in these uni combos. Let's take a look at the Best of the Best.
No. 4 | Looking like Roses (2011)
The Oregon Ducks went to the Rose Bowl for the first time since 1994, and they won the bowl game for the first time since 1916. Yea, this year was special. Though it started with a frustrating loss to the LSU Tigers, the Ducks were able to rally and make it the most memorable year in franchise history up to that point. The uni combos started to cement themselves as well. Building off of the lightning-yellow that was unveiled in the National Championship game a year before, the Ducks broke out a charcoal grey that pushed some boundaries but was solid at the least. Like all big-game uniforms for Oregon, they would have been a lot cooler had they brought a victory. 2011 also marked a year when the Ducks started to play with themed weeks, like the Fighting Duck, and they really got comfortable with the matte black helmets.
The Great
Better Than Most
Among The Best
No. 3 | Apple Green and Alamo (2013)
When the Ducks played the Alamo Bowl in 2013, they took the field with a newly designed shoulder wing and an apple-green that would act as a staple for the years to come. Unfortunately, they matched it with the forest green helmet that ended up clashing in the end. Still, points for ingenuity. As for the game against Stanford, you know me and the yellow/white/yellow look. Just *chefs kiss*
The Great
Better Than Most
Among the Elite
No. 2 | 'All Chrome Chevy Signs' (2012)
Whether it was a full-chrome helmet or chrome wings on a yellow helmet, the Ducks were sparkling in 2012 while they announced to the nation that they were more than a flashy team who could win a few games. The #StormLA campaign became a game-changer, and the cleanliness with which the Ducks trounced USC in their "StormTrooper" look will provide lasting memories for Oregon fans.
Better Than Most
Among The Elite
Absolute Game-Changers
No. 1 | Oregon at the Peak of Its Powers (2014)
What can you say about the 2014-15 season for the Oregon Ducks? It may have ended in a crushing defeat to Ohio State in the National Championship game, but the ride to get there was as impressive, and pleasing to the eyes, as we'd ever seen before. Chrome hats, pink accents, throwbacks, camouflage, you name it. This year had it all, except for a championship, unfortunately.
Better Than Most
Among The Elite
Absolute Game-Changers
