Ranking the 50 most visually-appealing college football uniforms

Among  Big Ten teams, Iowa employs at once one of the most established looks in the conference while at the same time exhibiting a willingness to push the envelope on alternate offerings. That combination of tradition and modernity is what puts the Hawkeyes among the best-dressed teams not just in their league but across every division of college football.

It all begins with a great logo. The Hawkeye logo, first introduced in its modern form in 1979, was ahead of its time in streamlining the namesake mascot into a stylized image that easily transfers across equipment for a range of sports. In gold on the side of a simple black helmet, it speaks to the practical, workmanlike qualities that define Iowa football.

While there are plenty of classic ensembles across the Big Ten, though, Iowa has a great history to go to for inspiration with their throwback looks. Iowa doesn’t deviate from its look often, but when they do the Hawkeyes are always dapper. In 2017 they went with an all-black look that drew rave reviews from players and fans alike. For the 150th anniversary of college football, they will don an all-gold look from the 1990s that feels decidedly retro.

Iowa has been great at judiciously going the alternate route while mainly sticking to a look that remains instantly identifiable.