Will We See More of the Alternate Sooner Football Apparel in 2015?
By Chip Rouse
Last season Oklahoma Sooner football broke tradition.
For years, OU has gone with its traditional uniform design of crimson helmets with the interlocking OU logo, along with alternating jerseys of crimson with white numerals or white with crimson names and numbers (depending on home or away games).
Last season, for the first time, the Sooners entered the flashy-designer-uniform era that has become pervasive throughout the college football world. Oklahoma unveiled its new “Bring the Wood” helmets and uniforms designs twice last season: on the road at West Virginia early in the season, and at home for a game in late October with eventual Big 12 co-champion Baylor.
Nov 8, 2014; Norman, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners quarterback Trevor Knight (9) throws during the game against the Baylor Bears at Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Some fans were curious why the Sooners did not wear the new uniforms more often last season. University officials pointed out when the new designs were first introduced that the new uniform designs were not replacing the traditional look of Oklahoma football, which the Sooners have displayed for decades and would continue to utilize for the majority of its home and road games.
While not a fan of the bold, new-age designer-uniform style introduced in the late 1990s and since then most closely associated with the University of Oregon, I have to admit that I like the Oklahoma’s new alternate uniform designs.
The website collegespun.com, a FOX Sports media property, contends that more than half (75) of the 128 programs playing college football at the FBS (Football Bowl Subdivision) level will be wearing a uniform this season different than the ones it wore in the 2013 season. It apparently has become more common to change a uniform style than maintain a consistent look.
The white helmet with the red crimson stripe, worn by the Sooners at home vs. Baylor last season, is supposed to pay tribute to the great OU teams of the Bud Wilkinson era in the 1950s. The crimson stripe that runs from the base of the helmet to the crown in the new design features a distinctive wood-grained pattern. The uniform that goes with the new “Bring the Wood” white helmet features a white jersey with crimson trim and crimson pants.
Oct 11, 2014; Dallas, TX, USA; Oklahoma Sooners safety Ahmad Thomas (13) and safety Quentin Hayes (10) in action against the Texas Longhorns during the Red River showdown at the Cotton Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
The new alternate road uniforms reverse the look of the alternate home look. The helmet is red, with a white stripe from base to crown, and the crimson portion of the helmet features the wood-grained pattern. The face mask for both helmet versions is an anthracite color.
There was a rumor circulating over the weekend, stemming from a Twitter message by a reporter for the Tidewater News in Franklin, Va., that Oklahoma was one of nine schools that planned to introduce alternate all-black uniforms this season.
University of Oklahoma officials were quick to confirm that was not the case. “There is no new uniform coming this season,” OU senior associate athletic director said in a tweet that was reported by the Oklahoma City Oklahoman.
The alternate Sooner uniform designs introduced last season will be available again for the 2015 season, according to OU officials. But they did not disclose how often we might see them in 2015.