Ohio State has made it a routine to have a specially designed alternate uniform for at least one game during the regular season over the last so many years. Part of that is the push by Nike to have some of their top brands roll out some unique looks sure to garner attention. With Ohio State being one of Nike’s top partners, it is practically a given the Swoosh will have a good look lined up for the Buckeyes. This year appears to be no exception.
Last year saw Ohio State suit up in a new all-black alternate uniform for a home night game against Penn State. This year the Buckeyes are going with a little bit more of a traditional and historical look, based on some early images making their way to the internet this weekend. As first reported by Bucknuts, and confirmed by Andrew Lind of Tidewaternews.com, Ohio State will wear a uniform featuring gray pants and a red jersey with gray stripes and white numbers outlined in black.
Can confirm that this jersey (via @Bucknuts247) is Ohio State's 2016 alternate uniform: pic.twitter.com/9icg7kKCpb
— Andrew Lind (@AndrewMLind) June 5, 2016
This uniform by Nike is going to feature Nike’s latest in uniform technology with the vapor template, which was debuted by Oregon during last season’s Alamo Bowl. The uniforms are much lighter than Nike’s recent uniform updates and feature a significant less amount of stitching, making the uniforms lighter. In a game focused on speed, every little bit counts.
The design of the uniform, of course, is a nod to Ohio State’s football history, and seems to pay homage to a uniform worn in the late 1920s, although now with uniform numbers. Aside from last year’s all-black uniform look, Ohio State has dipped into the archives for special uniforms from Nike before, and this continues that trend. The idea of taking an old look and giving it a modern feel is something Ohio State tends to pull off pretty well. In 2010, Ohio State wore a Pro Combat uniform inspired by the 1942 team.
So, the big question is when will these uniforms be worn? As of now, that is anyone’s guess. We can rule out road games, as this is a home uniform design, so forget about the games at Oklahoma, Wisconsin, Penn State and Michigan State. Wearing the alternate look will likely be used for a key home game played in prime time, which may indicate the home game against Nebraska on November 5. Yes, they could be used for a game against Michigan at the end of the season, but a chance to shine the alternate look on a nationally televised game in primetime is a solid recruiting technique, especially for a team that will be feature don primetime as often as it will.
So bank on the Nebraska game seeing these uniforms make their debut.
[Bucknuts]
