As the offseason continues, and very little news flows throughout the Big Ten landscape, one can think about many things. One in particular is the history of the Big Ten and specifically that of many blueblood programs’ uniforms. Whether it be the classic aesthetic of Michigan’s blue and gold, the more modern sleek look of the Trojans of USC, or one of the most iconic uniforms in college football with Penn State, the Big Ten has given us some iconic expressions of team pride through its many different uniforms. Thus, for the first time on Nittany Lions Wire, I will be ranking all 18 of the Big Ten’s classic uniforms from worst to best.
Here is a look at our Big Ten helmet rankings for 2025.
18. Rutgers Scarlet Knights
Helmet Rank: 16
This one is pretty self-explanatory. In a conference in which many team’s colorways use a red and white scheme, Rutgers does it the worst. While the white R against the bright red backdrop on the helmet is an aesthetically awesome touch, the helmet alone is not enough to keep Rutgers from claiming the bottom spot. There are only so many ways that you can pull off red and white, and until Rutgers tries to pull it off, they may stay bottom dwellers for a while.
17. Indiana Hoosiers
Helmet Rank: 14
Much like Rutgers, red and white can only get you so far on the Big Ten uniform rankings. Calling it cream and crimson doesn’t necessarily help either. Nevertheless, a trident as a logo is cooler than a simple white “R” so that at least is something the Hoosiers can hang their hat on. Plus, Curt Cignetti’s squad is a fun and frisky bunch, so if performances levels continue to exceed expectations, this uniform could move way up in my rankings and become ever more iconic.
16. Illinois Fighting Illini
Helmet Rank: 15
Just out of the bottom two is the Illini, who somehow make orange, white and blue work on a uniform. They have several alternates with the navy blue/orange that are standouts but their old-time jerseys leave much to be desired and take away from the overall aesthetic. However, much like Indiana, sneaky performances could elevate these unusual unis even higher.
15. Northwestern Wildcats
Helmet Rank: 17
The first team to incorporate purple on the list, Northwestern has some of the most underrated uniforms in the conference. Their alternates with the purple stripe detailing are some of the best in the sport, and the way they intepret the scripted “N” on the helmet is really cool and makes a simple logo pop especially on the alternates. However, the simplicity of their white unis and their poor on-field performances leaves them towards the bottom of the pack.
14. Nebraska Cornhuskers
Helmet Rank: 18
If this were nearly three decades ago, Nebraska could well have been in the top 5. The great Cornhusker teams of the 90s made the red and white jerseys some of the most well-renowned ones in the sports. Years of irrelevancy have seen the uniforms lose their luster. Should Raiola and Rhule continue to gain consistency together, perhaps this best of the “red and whites” will have its day in the sun again.
13. Minnesota Golden Gophers
Helmet Rank: 12
Another underrated uni in the conference, the Golden Gophers probably have the best detailing of any team with a white base for their jerseys. To top it all off, they also have perhaps the best letter logo outside the top 10, with the red and gold “M” standing out in a world where Mcdonald’s and Michigan exist. What keeps it from entering the top 10 is that the team itself seemed more fun in the early PJ Fleck days than this current iteration, and you can add all the clever distractions you want to a classic white base, but a white base it still remains. Thus, Minnesota has to find cooler, more eye-catching details and colorways to make a move next year.
12. Maryland Terrapins
Helmet Rank: 9
Maryland may have the most enigmatic uniforms on this list, as while they still represent the pride of Maryland in the red, white, gold and black color scheme, the changing of the logo on the helmet drastically detracts from that aesthetic. The scripted “Terps” isn’t terrible, but one would be remiss by not thinking that if Maryland kept the state flag decals on the helmet, these uniforms would be even more of a winner. Although I must add, if we were rating these jerseys simply on the alternates, Maryland’s black ones would be up there with the sleek off-white finish of the numbers and striped detailing on the sleeves.
11. Michigan State Spartans
Helmet Rank: 6
We’re starting to enter iconic territory on this list, as Michigan State is certainly a blueblood of the sport whose unis would be instantly recognizable to even a casual college football fan. However, the spartan logo is starting to carry the load a little to heavily as the spartan green and white scheme is getting old and a bit too bland aesthetically. As much as green is a fantastic color for a football jersey, Michigan State could be starting to beat it to death. The helmet saves it from dropping even further.
10. Oregon Ducks
Helmet Ranks: 5
While many would expects the Ducks to be higher on this list, it has been their many attempts to modify their standard green and yellow over the past years that sees them in this spot. Whether it be their hideous neon green alternates in the CFP or their “Bumblebee” like first alternates, they do too much with simple colors. The Green Bay Packers the Oregon Ducks are not, and despite their recent on-field success, maybe simplicity is key when it comes to looking good on the field for the Ducks.
9. Purdue Boilermakers
Helmet Rank: 13
Nothing beats a good black and gold color scheme, and I think no one does it better than the Boilermakers. Purdue fans should know that during a night game at Ross-Ade Stadium not that many years, the mystique of the black and gold meant they had a chance to play spoiler, thus giving their classic 2010s nickname, “The Spoilermakers.” And even though that may not be the case at the moment, the Boilermakers still have the iconic feel that elevates them above heavyweight contenders on this list.
8. Washington Huskies
Helmet Rank: 8
Washington‘s primary achievement with their uniforms is making two distinctly different colors work together in a highly textured manner. Whether it be the tinted gold helmets with the classic purple “W” on the helmets, to the boldness of the purple jersey and the gold pants, Washington is starting to become one of the most familiar uniforms within the Big Ten ranks. If they can get back to the CFP yet again, look for the aura of these unis to continue to rise.
7. UCLA Bruins
Helmet Rank: 7
One of the classic in terms of aesthetic and simplicity, UCLA has mastered the minimalist look with maximalist boldness. Similar to Washington, the boldness of the gold-tinted helmet allows the scripted “UCLA” to stand out. The blue and gold detailing on the sleeves stand out against the bold true blue base. And to top it all off, there is truly nothing better than gold numbers with a bold white rim. UCLA is this high because of their “less is more” mentality, not in spite of it.
6. Wisconsin Badgers
Helmet Rank: 11
Perhaps the best red and white combo in the conference, the Badgers pull off a white and cardinal look cleaner and simpler than certain bottom dwellers on this list. While certainly not the most appealing at first glance, you can soon come to terms with the idea of simplicity being best with a closer look. The helmet is a major plus with the pop of the “W” standing out against the white base.
5. USC Trojans
Helmet Rank: 4
One of the most iconic jerseys of the ’90s, when Leinart and Bush ruled the roost in the sport, the Trojans‘ classic logo and clean jerseys still have not lost their chic despite the lackluster nature of the Lincoln Riley era. The trojan logo in and of itself elevates the whole aesthetic. The pop of the cardinal-striped pant legs adds a nice touch with the beautiful gold numbering giving it a clasic touch that college football fans all around the country can appreciate.
4. Ohio State Buckeyes
Helmet Rank: 3
The scarlet and grey of Ohio State are one of the most quintessential uniforms in all of college football. Starting with the classic grey helmet with the nice buckeyes touch when players make significant to the boldness of the all-scarlet look counterbalance by the white numbers and details on the sleeve, you can feel the almost branded nature of the Buckeyes unis. With muted simplicity, Ohio State has created a look that will remain seared in your memory.
3. Iowa Hawkeyes
Helmet Rank: 10
Another gold and black combo, the Iowa Hawkeyes pull it off just a tad bit better than Purdue. The color uni is a classic counterbalance between the black shirt and the gold pant with the gold detail on the sleeve a stand out feature. Even the almost all gold alternate has a cool vibe with the black stripes across the chest a nice touch. And of course, you can’t forget about one of the best logos in the sport, the classic black and gold hawk standing out on that all black helmet. Iowa’s unis are equally parts frightening and fiery.
2. Michigan Wolverines
Helmet Rank: 2
You had to know Michigan would be high on this list with their brilliant maize and blue combo. Both the color and white options are standing with the bold detailing of the stripes on the pant leg on the white and the classic maize numbers on the color ones makes for one of the most recognizable helmets not just in college football, but the world. Combine that with the No. 2 ranked helmets in our helmet rankings, and there’s no way you can argue with this ranking.
1. Penn State Nittany Lions
Helmet Rank: 1
You had to know this was coming right from the start! However, all biases aside, when you think of familiarity, beauty of simplicity, and an iconic aesthetic, Penn State has it all. When everyone’s watching their games, they know who’s on their television screens and the overall aura of the program. With this No. 1 ranking in both our uniform and helmets lists, Penn State has a clear message to the conference: sometimes, simplicity is best!
This article originally appeared on Nittany Lions Wire: Ranking the Big Ten’s football uniforms for 2025
