Adidas Runway: Mississippi State Uniforms
Sep 13, 2014; Mobile, AL, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs running back Josh Robinson (13) carries the ball against the South Alabama Jaguars in the second quarter at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Glenn Andrews-USA TODAY Sports
I’m not typically one who gets too excited or bent out of shape about the different uniforms the Bulldogs employ, but sometimes there are ones I like (and wish we’d stick to). During the Adidas era (2009-present), Mississippi State has worn a number of uniforms. Let’s review (it’s June, why not?)…
Bulldog Helmet
MSU has worn this a few times. The first was a white version for the “2012 Snow Bowl” disaster, then in 2013 we broke it out for the Oklahoma State game then again against Kentucky.
Aug 31, 2013; Houston, TX, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs running back LaDarius Perkins (27) carries the ball during the first quarter against the Oklahoma State Cowboys at Reliant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Stripes
For some reason Adidas decided to add a stripe to the helmet and shoulder pads in 2012. Here’s what the uniform looked like without the stripes from 2009-2011.
Nov 23, 2013; Little Rock, AR, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs quarterback Tyler Russell (17) calls a play against the Arkansas Razorbacks at War Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports
Gold
The Dawgs have worn gold in each of the last four games in the Battle for the Golden Egg. I think at this point we could all do without the white versions when we play in Oxford (0-2 and they don’t look very good). The gold trim around maroon does look pretty sharp.
Nov 28, 2013; Starkville, MS, USA; Mississippi Rebels quarterback Bo Wallace (14) fumbles the ball as he is hit by Mississippi State Bulldogs defensive back Nickoe Whitley (1) in overtime at Davis Wade Stadium. Mississippi State Bulldogs defeat the Mississippi Rebels with a score of 17-10 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Spruce Derden-USA TODAY Sports
100 Year uniforms
These were the special uniforms Mississippi State wore for the Southern Miss game last year; everyone liked them so they brought them out for LSU, we won, so then they were a good luck charm and we kept wearing them. It appears they will be the permanent uniforms going forward, and the white versions worn in the Orange Bowl will the the permanent road ones (permanent being a loose term with Adidas).
Sep 20, 2014; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs quarterback Dak Prescott (15) celebrates with defensive back Will Redmond (2) following a win over the against the LSU Tigers in a game at Tiger Stadium. Mississippi State defeated LSU 34-29. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
The good, the bad and the ugly….
Good:
- 100 year uniform tops
- matte helmets
- silver britches (maybe once or twice a year, at home)
- 2013 gold Egg Bowl helmets
Bad:
- stripe on helmet
- 100 year uniform britches
- 2012 and 2014 white Egg Bowl uniforms
- black uniforms
Ugly:
- all maroon uniforms
- all white uniforms
Mixing and matching the uniforms from week to week is fine, but if it were up to me I’d just do it with the trim. For home games stick to maroon tops and white britches. Road games wear white tops with maroon britches. Throw in the matte helmet for a few games, throw in the silver britches once or twice; will we wear a stripe down the pant leg this game – who knows?
The worst look of all is a maroon helmet with maroon top and maroon britches. There are rumors of a prison uniform (1895 throwback – 120th anniversary of MSU football). Arf.
But hey, I’m just watching the game and not putting the uniform on. If the guys in the pads want to wear neon and that gets them jacked up for the game go for it. Of course I’d rather see what’s pleasing to my eyes but I’d much rather see a win.