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Uni Watch

Sunday Morning Bowl Watch 2024: Part One

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Good morning, everyone. Well, credit where credit is due. In an age of overwhelming corporate advertising and the accompanying dumb-sounding bowl names, there is the occasional gem that is the Pop-Tarts Bowl.

I’d still prefer bowl games to be named after something you actually put in a bowl instead of on a plate, but I also prefer fun. And this one seems to get the concept that bowl games (and sports in general) are supposed to be fun. They also should look good, and surprisingly this game didn’t disappoint on that end. Did it make the Top Five? We’ll find out after we hear from our uni trackers, and our uniform Master of Ceremonies Terry Duroncelet, Jr. Take it away!

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You all know the drill by this point, so let’s get right to the vid.

From Saturday, December 14th, 2024

Western Michigan vs. South Alabama: Nothing like some star-spangled sportsball to start the bowl season off right. We have the Western Michigan University Broncos in white/gold/gold, facing off against the University of South Alabama (aptly-acronymed as USA) in white/white/navy. As shown in the photos, both teams wore S&S decals for the thematic nature of the bowl.

From Tuesday, December 17th, 2024

West Virginia vs. Memphis: Our next bowl game comes from Frisco, Texas. We have the West Virginia University Mountaineers in yellow helmets, and navy jerseys and pants, vs. The University of Memphis Tigers in all-white. Color spectrum-wise, I’m only just now realizing that Memphis is basically the mirror opposite of the Cincinnati Bengals.

Wednesday, December 18th, 2024

UNLV vs. Cal: Vegas’s favorite scholars and Berkeley’s best literally meet in the middle (sorta), as the Rebels of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas wore white/red/white, with some pretty dope helmet decals, and the University of California, Berkeley Golden Bears (very important distinction, not the same as the Silver Bears, or even the Bronze Bears), wore gold/white/gold.
James Madison vs. WKU: Color-vs-color alert! The Dukes of Hazzard James Madison University wore white/purple/purple, while the Western Kentucky University Hilltoppers wore all-red. I know I say this all the time, but we really could use more color-vs.-color in college football.

From Thursday, December 19th, 2024

Sam Houston vs. Georgia Southern: NO SHOT we get back-to-back color-vs.-color games! On one end of the spectrum, we have the Sam Houston State University Bearkats in full-orange, and on – quite literally – the other end of the spectrum, we have the Georgia Southern University Eagles in full-navy. Ask, and you shall receive, I guess!

From Friday, December 20th, 2024

Ohio vs. Jax State: A Christmas color palette special 5 days before the big day (which, I guess is irrelevant to today, since the big day was 4 days ago, but I digress). Here, we have the Ohio University Bobcats in green/green/white, with – and I can’t believe I’m actually saying this – surprisingly not totally horrible pink accessories. I wouldn’t mind seeing a school whose actual, full-time colors are pink and dark green. Their opponent – the Jacksonville State University Gamecocks – wore red/white/red in their second ever bowl game as a D-1 FBS school, but just came up short.
Florida vs. Tulane: (Yes, that’s the wrong logo, but the right sponsor; I couldn’t find a large example of the current logo.) Two fantastic combinations in this one. We have the University of Florida Gators in their best home look: orange helmets and pants, with royal blue jerseys, and the Green Wave of The Tulane University of Louisiana in their best road look: light blue helmets and pants with white jerseys. Too bad their gameplay didn’t match their garb.

From Monday, December 23rd, 2024

Coastal Carolina vs. UTSA: Total bummer to falter in a bowl game in your own stadium, but them’s the works sometimes. This game features the Coastal Carolina University Chanticleers (I will never get tired of that team name) in teal/white/teal (in their own stadium!), and The University of Texas at San Antonio Roadrunners in… *sigh* white/BFBS/BFBS. Wouldn’t be bowl season without some level of foolishness, I suppose.
Fresno State vs. Northern Illinois: How do we get two bowl games in the same day with non-green turfs? In this blue turf tilt, we have the California State University, Fresno Bulldogs in all-red, and the North Illinois University Huskies wore black/white/black.

From Tuesday, December 24th, 2024

San José State vs. South Florida: Some multi-overtime coast-to-coast (no Space Ghost) fun here, even if the unis were kind of lacking. We have the San José State University Spartans in white/blue/blue, and the University of South Florida Bulls in gold/white/green.

From Thursday, December 26th, 2024

Toledo vs. Pitt: Battle of the blues… and golds. We have The University of Toledo Rockets in all-navy, and the University of Pittsburgh Panthers in gold/white/gold. Another fun one that saw 6 overtimes!
K-State vs. Rutgers: Seldom-seen white helmets and pants (with purple jerseys) for the Kansas State University Wildcats, while the Scarlet Knights of Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey wore scarlet/white/white.
Bowling Green vs. Arkansas State: Serious MAC energy here, even though only one of the schools plays in the conference. We have the Bowling Green State University Falcons in orange/brown/brown, and the Arkansas State University Red Wolves in white/white/red.

From Friday, December 27th, 2024

Washington State vs. Syracuse: The last Friday night lights of the year. Up first, we have the Washington State University Cougars in grey/crimson/crimson, facing off against the Syracuse University Orange, who wore orange/white/orange.
Navy vs. Oklahoma: Nothing out of the ordinary for the University of Oklahoma Sooners, just the classic crimson/crimson/cream. But for the Midshipmen of the United States Naval Academy? They broke out their 2024 Army/Navy game uniforms for the occasion, and I gotta say, these are some of their best, which is saying a lot. They’ve always been a well-dressed team.
Vanderbilt vs. Georgia Tech: Considering how much gold I was looking at in this game, I should be playing Gold by Austin Millz & Aluna. Here, we have the Georgia Institute of Technology Yellow Jackets in white/white/gold, and the Vanderbilt University Commodores in white/black/white (with gold accents, of course).
Arkansas vs. Texas Tech: Up next, we have the University of Arkansas Razorbacks in cardinal/cardinal/white, and the Texas Tech University (why not Texas Institute of Technology??) Red Raiders in black/white/black.
Texas A&M vs. USC: Closing out Friday’s contests is the Texas A&M University Aggies, who wore white/maroon/white, and the University of Southern California Trojans, who wore the classics.

From Saturday, December 28th, 2024

Miami vs. Iowa State: Okay, this wins best field for this year’s bowl season (h/t to Mike Chamernik). The University of Miami Hurricanes wore white/orange/orange, and the Cyclones of the Iowa State University of Science and Technology wore their imitation mime uniforms.
North Carolina vs. UConn: A game that didn’t feature a single scarlet tube, but that’s fine enough. We have the University of Connecticut Huskies in navy/white/navy, and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Tar Heels wore their throwback blues. Block shadow numbers need to return to the gridiron. They’re like a dying breed, almost like the giant running back that would either steamroll you like a piece of victory tape at the finish line, or give you the stiffy.
Colorado vs. BYU: A black-and-white affair between the University of Colorado Boulder Buffaloes in all-black, and the Brigham Young University Cougars in all-white.
Nebraska/Boston College: Our next Saturday game (of, I think 8???) involves the University of Nebraska–Lincoln Cornhuskers in the classics, while the Boston College Eagles wore gold/white/maroon (their best road combo IMO).
Army vs. LA Tech: Up next, we have the Louisiana Tech University Bulldogs in red/white/blue, with S&S decals for the occasion of competing against The Black Knights of the United States Military Academy, who wore their Cadet greys.
TCU vs. Louisiana: The Texas Christian University Horned Frogs wore their bloody-eye alternate uniforms against the University of Louisiana at Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns, who wore white/red/white.
Colorado State vs. Miami (OH): Well, this one’s a shock. The Colorado State University Rams wore green/green/gold, while the Miami University RedHawks wore red/white/red.
NC State vs. East Carolina: Next up, we have the North Carolina State University Wolfpack in white/red/white, facing off against the East Carolina University Pirates who wore purple/white/purple.

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Thanks, Terry!
 
  
 

2024 Uni Tracking

Uni Watch will again track the combinations worn by the Power Four college football conferences. Long-time trackers Rex Henry (tracking the ACC), and Dennis Bolt (now tracking the Big Teen) are returning, as is Zach Wooldridge (tracking the SEC). This year Derek Buchheit will be tracking the Big “XII” for us.

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We begin with Rex and the ACC:

 

(click here to enlarge)

More Here.
Follow Rex on Twitter here.

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Next is Dennis with the B1G:

(click here to enlarge)

Dennis not only runs the Big-10 Uniform Tracker blog, but he also continues the Oregon Duck Tracker blog. For a look back at the Pac-12, you can check out the old Pac-12 Uniform Tracker blog. And he’s on Twitter/X at @BigDuckTracker

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Here’s Derek with the Big “XII”:

(click here to enlarge)

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And here’s Zach with the SEC:

(click here to enlarge)

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Thanks, guys!

 

 

 

The 5&1 List

Once again I’ll give you five really good matchups and the worst looking one of the week. Unlike most lists, it’s not an *exact* ranking. It’s the five matchups that caught my eye the most, then I rank those from 5 to 1. Agree or disagree, but either way let’s have some fun with it.

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As Terry said, you all know the drill, but here’s a different video. Now let’s get to the list, beginning with…

5. The “I Don’t Care If It’s BFBS, It Looks Good” Game:

Iowa State vs. Miami

While I’d prefer full participation in the team colors department, this is a very nice matchup.

4. The “Here’s One For The ‘Helmets And Pants Should Match’ Crowd” Game:

Tulane vs. Florida

Not sure what I liked more…Florida’s combo, their number font, or those end zones.

3. The “Speaking Of Number Fonts…” Matchup:

Connecticut vs. North Carolina

Two slightly unconventional fonts that looked fantastic on the Fenway field.

2. The “Better Late Than Never, Aggies!” Game:

USC vs. Texas A&M

I wanted to get A&M on the list all year, and they finally made it.

1. Simply The Best:

Boston College vs. Nebraska

Classic looks, a lot of clouds and a little mud add up to a visual delight.

&1…

Louisiana vs. TCU

I feel sorry for the Cajuns in this uniform vs. costume matchup.

 

 

 

There Goes Another Weekend...And Another Year!

2025 is going to be a year of changes, but it’s going to start with one more Sunday Morning Bowl Watch. Until then, enjoy Phil ringing out the old year and ringing in the new. Take care, everyone, and I’ll see you in January.

 

 

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Comments (24)

    Were the cfp games done separately. I’m just curious as to why they are missing from the list

    The CFP first round games were not bowl games. Jim reviewed them separately in last Sunday’s post.

    “2025 is going to be a year of changes”

    – No more referring to an off week as a “bye” in the NCAA Uniform Tracking? Now that’s a new year’s resolution I can get behind.

    I’ve gotten this complaint over the years, especially from non-USA readers. Apparently the term is not used as much in Canada and UK etc. But to me, NCAA and NFL use that term pretty consitently?, so I use that term. If you can show me a preponderance of other terms I’d change.

    “Bye” is technically incorrect, as the term applies to tournaments with brackets. Teams who do not have an opponent in a certain round and get a free pass to the next round are said to have a “bye”. But both the NFL and NCAA use the term “bye week” to indicate a team is “off” which, while incorrect, has become an accepted usage of the term “bye”. By writing “bye” on a conference-wide uniform tracking graphic, no one is confused by this; we all know “bye” means a team has an open week. I see no need to change the terminology for the tracking, even if “bye” is technically incorrect. “Off” would also work, but “bye” is perfectaly acceptable.

    YVVM.

    I was curious as to the EAT on Western Michigan’s nose bumper. Turns out it means Effort, Attitude, Toughness.

    Good job Terry on a big rundown. So many games that I don’t even care about but it’s always fun to see the uniform matchups.

    I agree with Patrick:

    Phew! That was a lot of games that I didn’t care to watch and even who won. I was interested in the uniforms!

    Though they didn’t make the top 5 (for obvious reasons), I did like the color v color games and would love to see more.

    I also thought Miami v. ISU should not be in the top five. Like Wade, I don’t like the orange over orange. OU v. Navy was well deserving and in my top 5.

    Great job crew

    I felt like I was stepping back in time watching Boston College/Nebraska. Between the choice of classic uniforms, the weather, playing in Yankee stadium and the mud it may as well been 1985.

    Does it bother anyone else that Colorado wears all black uniforms but doesn’t finish the look with a black facemask. I get that there is white in the uniform but for a dominant all black uniform to have a black helmet and white mask. Just feels like they were to cheap to pay for the black mask to finish the look

    Probably the worst Colorado look. Gold helmets and gold pants to pick up the gold stripe on the uniforms would have made for an AWESOME look, and even put them in the top 5 against the traditional BYU Road look.

    Oh well…a boy can dream…

    I find it odd that the Alamo Bowl had two teams from the same conference (Big 12.) It was kind of like the Big 12’s third place/consolation game. At least they didn’t play each other during the season.

    How do you feel about the Rose Bowl having two B1G teams (first time ever)?

    At least it will still *feel* like the Rose, since UO was in the PAC until a few minutes ago.

    The conferences are such a jumbled mess, not sure any of it really matters anymore. And the sad thing is, the Big 10 (18) and SEC aren’t done yet. Both will be over 20 in a few short years.

    Dear Miami Hurricanes. Orange over orange. Just because you can doesn’t mean you should.

    E. Carolina and NC State should go into the &1 simply because of the brawl at the end of the game.

    If we are still having bowls in the playoff era, all of them need to be like the Pop Tarts bowl. Actually having two good teams instead of just teams that broke .500. And the fun theme is great. It is 100% silly and stupid, but it is the kind of thing everyone can laugh at and enjoy. Give me like 8 to 10 non playoff bowl games that feature good teams and fun themes and that’s all I need to pass the time in late December.
    Whoever came up with all the shenanigans for the Pop Tarts bowl deserves a raise. I haven’t eaten pop tarts since I started taking my diet and health serious over a decade ago, but all I have been thinking about since that game came on was frosted cherry pop tarts.

    Think it works because not every bowl is trying to be zany and fun. If they all attempt to outdo the Pop Tarts Bowl as a way of grabbing attention, it’ll become silly and embarrassing. But if that ultimately kills off some of these needless bowls between disinterested .500 teams, that’s a good thing.

    The way those uniforms keep shrinking, just wear tank tops and short-shorts and be done with it.

    For those wrestling fans out there, the player shown in the Jacksonville State link is none other than the son of “Big Pappa Pump” Scott Steiner. My friend’s son pitches for Jacksonville State and filled me in on that little tid bit.

    link

    The Nebraska-Boston College game was a visual delight. Between the poor weather, crappy field, and mud soaked unis, it was truly how late December football should look.

Comments are closed.