Ranking Notre Dame Rivals’ Uniforms in Order of Awesomeness

I’m always on uniform watch. I’ve been waiting for this moment…

By Lauren Dangel Jul 2, 2020, 11:53am EDT

COLLEGE FOOTBALL: DEC 28 Camping World Bowl - Notre Dame v Iowa State

After thorough analysis, I have determined the correct classification of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish rivals’ uniforms by design timelessness and color choice among other factors. Dangel has spoken.

USC Trojans

These unis are classic. They’re clean. As much as no Notre Dame fan wants USC in the #1 spot of any list, less is more when it comes to shoulder detail, and the Trojans know it. It has a timeless design similar to the one the Irish gold helmet, blue jersey and gold pants.

NCAA Football: Holiday Bowl-Southern California vs Iowa

Navy Midshipmen

Like I said, we can all appreciate the timelessness of Notre Dame’s uniforms, and I think this is the reason, I have to respect the Naval Academy’s uniforms. The Midshipmen combine blue and gold in a way that is not obnoxious; gold can be easily obnoxious! Just ask the Washington Wizards. Navy got extra style points because of how hyped I get for their alternates. See Navy’s most current alternate below.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL: DEC 31 Liberty Bowl - Navy v Kansas State

Michigan Wolverines

It was tough to round out the top three, and much like the Trojans’ unis, Michigan’s are near timeless. The helmet detail is among the cleanest design in the NCAA or the NFL, but they lost style points because that maize just attacks the eyes.

Michigan State Spartans

I’ll admit this was a tough one. Between the Trojans and the Spartans, two very similar mascots, the Spartans’ helmet logo is clearly the superior design. However, they lost points with me with the almost too minimalistic design on the jerseys. While the font for the “Michigan State” across the chest is sweet, it just doesn’t work for something smaller than the text on a player’s nameplate. Plus, those hunter and lime green alternates are shameful.

Stanford Cardinal

Stanford’s jerseys are almost too minimalistic. Striking and classic colors, yes. However, I cannot get past that tree. To cut to the chase, the tree in the block S is lame and the tree as a mascot is lame. No match for the leprechaun.

Boston College Eagles

The gold is just too blah in these ones. It is a clean less-is-more look, much like the Trojans and the Midshipmen, but the Eagles miss the mark with their colors.

Purdue Boilermakers

Like the Eagles before them, the Boilermakers lose points because of their use of gold. Gold is a risky color. It’s hit or miss, and the Boilermakers’ gold just conveys what makes so many people sad about living in the Midwest. I’m an Ohioan so I can say things like this, but don’t make the mistake of coming after the Buckeye State….