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cdj
06-13-2010, 09:46 AM
http://www.thegamingtailgate.com/images/NCAA11/OhioStateProCombat.jpg

Monday’s NCAA Football 11 demo gives gamers the ability to unlock the Nike Pro Combat uniforms for all eleven teams that wore them in the 2009-10 season. Fans of Ohio State, Miami, Missouri, and more have been asking for months if Pro Combats would be in this July’s game. Why the hype? What is so special about them? Let’s take a look at the Nike Pro Combat uniform and try to understand the phenomenon.

From Nike: Nike Pro Combat is a lightweight, breathable padded protective base layer ergonomically designed to provide sport-specific protection to athletes without restricting flexibility. The Nike Pro Combat uniform is 37 percent lighter than current designs (673 grams vs. 1,061 grams). Nike utilized a four-way stretch twill that does not hold sweat or water and as a result, the new uniforms are 46 percent lighter than the current designs when wet. Overall, the Nike Pro Combat uniform, when wet, is still lighter than the current design when completely dry.

The Pro Combat uniforms debuted in the fall of 2009 and will be officially introduced at the start of the 2010 season. The eleven programs with Pro Combat uniforms are: Clemson, Florida, Florida State, LSU, Miami, Missouri, Ohio State, Oklahoma, TCU, Texas, and Virginia Tech. See photos, videos, and more of each school’s Pro Combat uniform here (http://procombat.nikemedia.com/teams.html).

Each Pro Combat uniform features a team specific nickname and unique details within the uniform design:

Clemson “All In” – The uniform design is based on that from the early 1980s, including the 1981 season that saw the Tigers go undefeated and win the National Championship. Embroidered on the inner collar of the jersey is “All In,” the team mantra since Dabo Swinney took over as head coach.

Florida “Finish the Mission” – The inner collar is embroidered with “Pride,” the team’s mantra. The back of the pants are embroidered with “Gators.” ‘Finish the Mission’ refers to the Gators quest to bring another National Championship to Gainesville.

Florida State “Fear the Spear” – The black helmet represents the ceremonial black drink the Seminole warriors would share before heading into battle. The abbreviated team nickname “Noles” is embroidered on the back of the pants.

LSU “Cochon De Lait” – Cochon De Lait translates to ‘french suckling pig’ - essentially a Cajun pig roast of a whole young pig. Fitting as LSU debuted their Pro Combat uniforms versus the Arkansas Razorbacks. The gold helmet honors the teams of the 1940s and also the Golden Boot that LSU and Arkansas play for. “Team” is embroidered on the inner collar of the jersey and “Tigers” is embroidered on the back of the pants.

Miami “The U Knows” – Miami’s nickname “The U” is embroidered on the inner collar. Copying the split-colored “U” on the helmets, the numbers on the jersey are also split-colored. “Canes” is embroidered on the back of the pants.

Missouri “Beast Mode” – The uniform design is meant to imply ‘stealth,’ a reference to the Stealth Bombers housed at Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri. “Beast Mode” is embroidered on the inner collar of the jersey. “Tigers” is embroidered on the back of the pants.

Ohio State “Earned” – The helmets are based upon those worn by the 1954 National Championship team. “Buckeye Tradition” is embroidered on the inner collar. “Earned” refers to the high level of success the program has attained as well as the tradition of earning the Buckeye stickers on the helmets for big plays and wins.

Oklahoma “Stake Our Claim” – The uniform design was based upon the 1955 National Championship team. Embroidered on the inner collar of the uniform was “Sooner Magic,” a term coined after OU’s miraculous comeback win over Nebraska in 1976 and other big wins in the series under head coach Barry Switzer. “Sooners” is embroidered on the back of the pants.

TCU “Don’t Back Down” – Nike was able to digitally sublimate a horned frog skin print on the pants and helmets. The team’s mantra “Don’t Back Down” is embroidered on the inner collar of the jersey. The helmet features red lines down the center to represent the blood that shoot’s from a horned frog’s eyes when under attack and also represent the ‘bloodlines’ of the brotherhood that unite the team.

Texas “Texas Fight” – The helmets feature numbers, a tribute to the Darrell K. Royal era (1957-1976) of Texas football. The inner collar is embroidered with “We Are Texas.” “Texas” is embroidered on the back of the pants. The uniform nickname was originally “It Only Takes Eleven,” a verbal strike at rival Texas A&M and their ‘12th Man’ tradition.

Virginia Tech “Good Guys Wear White” – The inner collar is embroidered with ‘Beamer Ball,’ a reference to the successful head coach of the Hokies, Frank Beamer. Gradient color on the numbers and shoulder trim represent the team speed of the Hokies. The back of the pants are embroidered with ‘Ut Prosim’ – the school’s latin motto, meaning ‘That I May Serve.’ In their first ever game wearing the Nike Pro Combats, it was believed that their opponent Maryland would wear all-black Under Armor uniforms, hence the ‘good guys wear white.’ However, the Terrapins would actually wear special black and camouflage jerseys to support American’s veterans and the Wounded Warrior Project (http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/).


With the physical benefits and uniqueness of the Pro Combat jersey and the hype surrounding them, how have teams fared while wearing them?

Clemson – Lost 34-17 at South Carolina (Nov. 28, 2009)
Florida – Won 37-10 versus Florida State (Nov. 28, 2009)
Florida State – Won 29-26 versus Maryland (Nov. 21, 2009)
LSU – Won 33-30 (OT) versus Arkansas (Nov. 28, 2009)
Miami – Won 31-10 at South Florida (Nov. 28, 2009), Lost 20-14 vs. Wisconsin (Dec. 29, 2009)
Missouri – Won 41-39 versus Kansas (Nov. 28, 2009)
Ohio State – Won 21-10 at Michigan (Nov. 21, 2009)
Oklahoma – Lost at Texas Tech 41-13 (Nov. 21, 2009)
TCU – Won versus Utah 55-28 (Nov. 14, 2009), Lost versus Boise State 17-10 (Jan. 4, 2010)
Texas – Won at Texas A&M 49-39 (Nov. 26, 2009)
Virginia Tech – Won at Maryland 36-9 (Nov. 14, 2009), Won at Virginia 42-13 (Nov. 28, 2009)

In fourteen games featuring teams wearing Pro Combat uniforms, those teams went 10-4.

What do you think of the Nike Pro Combat uniforms? Are you a fan? Do you prefer some uniforms more than others? Leave your thoughts in the comments.

Kingpin32
06-13-2010, 09:58 AM
I really like the split colored numbers that Miami has on theirs.

jaymo76
06-13-2010, 10:04 AM
I really like the split colored numbers that Miami has on theirs.

Yup, those numbers look excellent on the uniforms.

CLW
06-13-2010, 10:20 AM
I'm a traditionalist so I hate the design of most of them. However, it is smart of Nike to design a lighter uniform.

AustinWolv
06-13-2010, 10:39 AM
Lighter and breathable is good......for the mental aspect for players, because the weight difference is negligible for clothes they are wearing. 1lb difference in clothes? Go put on some clothes and weigh yourself to see if you think that 1lb would have any reasonable difference in your on-field performance.
If it was something, like a gun or a firefighter tool, that would be carried with extended arms for long lengths of times, then that 1lb would be significant.
Hype.
It won't hurt, sure.

As for the look, I like the Texas and Miami a lot. Gators and Clemson is ok. Not so much for the Mizzou, OSU, VT, TCU. Undecided on LSU, OU, FSU.

Some are on the verge of being something like arena football garish, while some retain a really clean, cool college look.

MGoBlue
06-13-2010, 11:45 AM
Nike needs to tell their design department to take a chill pill sometimes (ANY time they aproach Michigan State's uniforms). The "tech" sounds cool enough, not that it really does anything else but feel nice, but they need to just keep the design in check, why couldn't they have remade the normal uniforms?

gschwendt
06-13-2010, 12:18 PM
Nike needs to tell their design department to take a chill pill sometimes (ANY time they aproach Michigan State's uniforms). The "tech" sounds cool enough, not that it really does anything else but feel nice, but they need to just keep the design in check, why couldn't they have remade the normal uniforms?
We wouldn't be talking about them nearly as much if the designs had remained the same.

AustinWolv
06-13-2010, 12:29 PM
I'm not really that interested in talking about them. :)

JeffHCross
06-13-2010, 12:47 PM
The funniest thing to me, from a traditionalist point of view, is that one of the biggest departures from the current uniform, Ohio State's, is actually essentially a throwback.

Coachdenz
06-13-2010, 02:21 PM
pretty sure Florida wore the pro combat's in the SEC game which they lost. I don't think wearing a uniform makes a difference, it's whats in the uniform.

But I'm glad there in the game for the guys that like it, ALSO can somebody ask to see if they will even show up this year while playing someone online?

gschwendt
06-13-2010, 02:35 PM
ALSO can somebody ask to see if they will even show up this year while playing someone online?
We tested this at CD and I'm fairly certain that proper uniforms show up for your opponent this year. I can't guarantee that but that's my recollection.

Coachdenz
06-13-2010, 04:31 PM
We tested this at CD and I'm fairly certain that proper uniforms show up for your opponent this year. I can't guarantee that but that's my recollection.

that's good to here.

Lava
06-13-2010, 05:02 PM
We tested this at CD and I'm fairly certain that proper uniforms show up for your opponent this year. I can't guarantee that but that's my recollection.

FINALLY. I hope you're right, and it's the same in the final version.

Rudy
06-13-2010, 05:21 PM
The funniest thing to me, from a traditionalist point of view, is that one of the biggest departures from the current uniform, Ohio State's, is actually essentially a throwback.

The OSU ones look old school and cool.

cdj
06-13-2010, 06:14 PM
pretty sure Florida wore the pro combat's in the SEC game which they lost.

I thought that as well, but they actually wore their all-white uniforms with their alternate white F helmet.

beartide06
06-13-2010, 06:45 PM
I thought that as well, but they actually wore their all-white uniforms with their alternate white F helmet.

Will the white F helmets be in this years version of NCAA?

MGoBlue
06-13-2010, 07:41 PM
We wouldn't be talking about them nearly as much if the designs had remained the same.

Fair enough, but what is the objective of building hype about a uniform type? No one sitting at home will ever buy a full on football uniform, and it's not like Nike doesn't already dominate the market outside of the NFL for football jerseys.

Twinky34
06-13-2010, 07:41 PM
The Hokies all white combat uniforms were sweet wish they would wear the white helmets even more. Here a site with all those uniforms and it even show the gloves and all http://friendsoftheprogram.net/2009/11/10/nike-pro-combat-the-complete-collection-with-slogans/

Twinky34
06-13-2010, 07:49 PM
This site is even better http://procombat.nikemedia.com/teams.html even shows you the shoes and shirts they wear under their shoulder pads. Check out the video they are tuff.

cdj
09-01-2010, 12:10 PM
The 2010 Nike Pro Combat website (http://www.nike.com/nikeos/p/usnikefootball/en_US/rivalries2010) is available here with pics and info on the 10 schools wearing them this fall.

gschwendt
09-01-2010, 12:22 PM
The 2010 Nike Pro Combat website (http://www.nike.com/nikeos/p/usnikefootball/en_US/rivalries2010) is available here with pics and info on the 10 schools wearing them this fall.
Oregon State is my favorite out of that bunch.

morsdraconis
09-01-2010, 12:50 PM
WVU's uniform looks AWESOME.

I REALLY like what they've done with these. Some really cool looking ones.

JeffHCross
09-01-2010, 09:00 PM
Virginia Tech's has a freaking motherboard (or at least circuitry) on it. Awesome.

I'm indifferent to Ohio State's this year. They kept it simple, which I like. But I'm going to have to wait and see on the helmet. That's the part I have the hardest time agreeing with.

Overall, I like them this year. A lot cleaner, a lot simpler. Didn't buck the team's normal look too much.

Seeing Boise vs Tech and Pitt vs WVU in their unis should be nice.

ram29jackson
09-02-2010, 03:37 AM
Oregon State is my favorite out of that bunch.

it appears they are borrowing from their 1960s look

ram29jackson
09-02-2010, 03:43 AM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ID0yOqyfeq4


http://i600.photobucket.com/albums/tt82/ram29jackson/Pro%20combat%20and%20stuff/1111bobboise.jpg

compare / contrast history 1962 FSU

http://i600.photobucket.com/albums/tt82/ram29jackson/Pro%20combat%20and%20stuff/11111111111111222333.jpg


USFL Michigan Panthers
http://i600.photobucket.com/albums/tt82/ram29jackson/Pro%20combat%20and%20stuff/aaaa1111167777777.jpg

morsdraconis
09-02-2010, 01:52 PM
it appears they are borrowing from their 1960s look

Yeah, as a tribute to the team that beat three of the best teams in the nation back to back to back.

AustinWolv
09-02-2010, 02:23 PM
I like the U's look. Boise is pretty good. PITT's it too gimmicky.
Not sold on VT's, although the black and the originality of the PCB circuit pattern is pretty cool.
I do agree the WVU ones look pretty cool, but the shoes are ghey.
The scales look of the TCU ones is pretty neat, but should only have the pants with them, not inside the numbers. Same for the Gators. And Bama.
Simplicity of Oregon St's is good, but lose the ghey shoes.

ram29jackson
09-02-2010, 02:48 PM
Ohio State is about the 20 minute mark and a great history lesson

the Nike media event for the uni's from the Nike site with 2 choices for type of media player you want


http://icast-live.com/live/nike/nikemedia/rivalries.html

let me know its working for you

ram29jackson
09-02-2010, 03:16 PM
a side video talking to Boise model


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3fgx-U3igRM

JeffHCross
09-02-2010, 10:37 PM
Ohio State is about the 20 minute mark and a great history lessonAs I grew up, the two things that were regularly part of my life were studying Ohio State football and studying World War II. The connections between this jersey and that history is incredible.

Most amazing is the bronze star on the helmet, which is a tribute to Charles Csuri. Captain of the 1942 team, member of the Ohio State Hall of Fame, Professor Emeritus at Ohio State, considered one of the pioneers of computer graphics, and ... oh yeah ... got a Bronze Star for the Battle of the Bulge.

Incredible. In a manner of speaking, I can credit him for two of the most important parts of my life ... my love of Ohio State football, and my profession (computer science).

Most incredible ... I knew none of this before last night. Well, I knew his name, and that he was well known in graphics, but that's it.

CLW
09-03-2010, 08:58 AM
I'm sorry ALL of these uniforms are HIDEOUSLY UGLY. I don't get it but the kiddies seem to like them so whatever.

coogrfan
09-03-2010, 09:28 AM
The final word on the subject, courtesy of Uni Watch's Paul Lukas:

...the whole Pro Combat program is so silly, trying to critique it via conventional standards seems pointless. Making a big fuss over it would just further legitimize it. I prefer to think that Nike’s approach here (i.e., corporate lifestyle branding masquerading as team branding, and merchandising masquerading as school spirit) pretty much speaks for itself...

morsdraconis
09-03-2010, 11:02 AM
I thought it was silly too until WVU got one (and they look pretty damn good to boot).

Just how it is fellas.

steelerfan
09-03-2010, 10:00 PM
I don't get it but the kiddies seem to like them

Yep. Most of them are horrible. Miami looks the worst. They look like Florida A&M (and Michael Irvin is a jackass). Ohio State is reminiscent of ULL. WVU's shoes are the worst, which is saying alot since there are so many bad ones. Putting the logo on the palms of gloves seems kinda neat until you realize everybody has it.

JeffHCross
09-03-2010, 10:29 PM
The final word on the subject, courtesy of Uni Watch's Paul Lukas:I love reading Uni Watch, but I've quickly learned that his word should never be the final on anything. I mean, the article used a "Rolling in the Grave Rage" rating scale.

:D

Was a good read though.

ram29jackson
09-04-2010, 03:46 PM
but the fact is this will influence future design ideas.

and whats with the Michael Irvin hate haha? I thought he did a pretty good job.

JeffHCross
09-04-2010, 06:02 PM
I don't honestly believe that one-time-only designs will influence anything long-term.

CLW
09-04-2010, 06:40 PM
Give me Penn State's uniform. No names on the back. Of course, it too was bastardized with the damn Nike advertisement on it recently.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/9/92/Big10-Uniform-PSU.PNG/275px-Big10-Uniform-PSU.PNG

JeffHCross
09-04-2010, 07:28 PM
I don't think anyone disagrees that, overall, "traditional" uniforms are better. But for one time deals, I can deal with this stuff.

Personally, I really like the Ohio State design, minus the helmet. And the history of it is very cool.

cdj
09-04-2010, 11:10 PM
I don't get it but the kiddies seem to like them so whatever.

I think that's a lot of it. Recruits and players love knowing that as a Nike school they can be a part of something such as uniform changes or these Pro-Combat uniforms. adidas and Under Armor have gotten in the act to some degree, but usually as throwbacks or the Wounded Warrior unis not an entire redesign like the Pro Combats typically are.

cdj
09-04-2010, 11:10 PM
I don't get it but the kiddies seem to like them so whatever.

I think that's a lot of it. Recruits and players love knowing that as a Nike school they can be a part of something such as uniform changes or these Pro-Combat uniforms. adidas and Under Armor have gotten in the act to some degree, but usually as throwbacks or the Wounded Warrior unis not an entire redesign like the Pro Combats typically are.

JeffHCross
09-05-2010, 12:40 AM
I presumed by "kiddies" he was talking about actual kids ... not the players.

But it does make sense the way you interpreted it too.

CLW
09-05-2010, 11:20 AM
I presumed by "kiddies" he was talking about actual kids ... not the players.

But it does make sense the way you interpreted it too.

By "kiddies" I meant people under the age of say 25-30. High School Recruits and the Players themselves being the key demographic.

JeffHCross
09-05-2010, 01:27 PM
Got it. Since I'm barely outside that demographic I can't look at them as "kids" yet.

Well, maybe high schoolers. They do look younger every year.

morsdraconis
09-05-2010, 01:57 PM
Got it. Since I'm barely outside that demographic I can't look at them as "kids" yet.

Well, maybe high schoolers. They do look younger every year.

Totally. Can definitely see how someone 24 or 25 would think a girl that's actually 17 is their age (especially when girls that age act like children anyway).

JeffHCross
09-05-2010, 02:01 PM
As someone who was recently 25 ... I'm really not sure how to take that, mors. :D

morsdraconis
09-05-2010, 02:26 PM
As someone who was recently 25 ... I'm really not sure how to take that, mors. :D

:D

I'm only 26 and I can't help but look at these girls and be like "Damn!" but then I have to remind myself how few of them are of age. It's ridiculous...

JeffHCross
09-05-2010, 04:27 PM
It was the "girls that age act like children" coupled with the idea that we might think they're our age. The only high schoolers I've met recently that I didn't think of as kids were girls that acted much older than their age. Not ones that acted like children.

Then again, even when I was that age, I didn't like the ones that acted like children.

xMrHitStickx904
09-05-2010, 04:46 PM
I love these pro combat uniforms. I even showed em to my pops, and his favorite are the WVU ones.

steelerfan
09-06-2010, 01:32 AM
:D

I'm only 26 and I can't help but look at these girls and be like "Damn!" but then I have to remind myself how few of them are of age. It's ridiculous...

That won't change. I'm 36 (am I supposed to say, "I'm a MAN!!!" after that? Or do I have to wait till I'm 40? lol). I still think "Damn!" and then usually think "Damn it" right after.

steelerfan
09-06-2010, 01:36 AM
whats with the Michael Irvin hate haha?

If I have to explain, it's not worth it, my friend. Lol.

morsdraconis
09-06-2010, 10:02 AM
That won't change. I'm 36 (am I supposed to say, "I'm a MAN!!!" after that? Or do I have to wait till I'm 40? lol). I still think "Damn!" and then usually think "Damn it" right after.

:D

I hear that.

JeffHCross
09-06-2010, 11:48 AM
That won't change. I'm 36 (am I supposed to say, "I'm a MAN!!!" after that? Or do I have to wait till I'm 40? lol). I still think "Damn!" and then usually think "Damn it" right after.One of my dad's best moments of advice was when he told me that you realize you're getting old when the mothers look better than the daughters. Apparently it takes a while.

morsdraconis
09-06-2010, 12:50 PM
One of my dad's best moments of advice was when he told me that you realize you're getting old when the mothers look better than the daughters. Apparently it takes a while.

Damn, I must be REAL old then cause I'm already there...

JeffHCross
09-06-2010, 02:27 PM
Well, he was saying this in relation to being on a college campus ...

So it all depends on how old the daughter is ;)

steelerfan
09-06-2010, 03:12 PM
One of my dad's best moments of advice was when he told me that you realize you're getting old when the mothers look better than the daughters. Apparently it takes a while.

I went out with a girl a couple times recently whose mother is 5 years older than me. Oops! The daughter is 22 and the mother is 41 (just to clarify for legal purposes). Never met mom (and never will) but I'm sure 22 > 41. Lol.

JBHuskers
09-06-2010, 07:14 PM
I like the Boise ones....the VT ones....they're okay but not great.

steelerfan
09-06-2010, 07:33 PM
I agree, JB. The BSU ones are alright. But, I think the VT ones are terrible.

JBHuskers
09-06-2010, 07:57 PM
I agree, JB. The BSU ones are alright. But, I think the VT ones are terrible.

The color scheme is cool, but I don't like that CPU motherboard wiring shit on the numbers.

JeffHCross
09-06-2010, 08:00 PM
but I don't like that CPU motherboard wiring shit on the numbers.That's the only part of it that appeals to me!

AustinWolv
09-06-2010, 08:06 PM
Ok, watching this game, and I don't like the Boise uniforms. The logo on one side of the helmet is lame.

I REALLY like the VT helmets. The matte black reminds me of military flight helmets and they look badass. Not overly digging the VT uniforms, but better than Boise's.

JeffHCross
09-06-2010, 08:23 PM
The matte black is good, but the backwards middle stripe is fugly.

Definitely approve of matte for that look though. Liked it for Mizzou's Pro Combat last year too.

JeffHCross
09-06-2010, 08:57 PM
Ok, watching this game, and I don't like the Boise uniforms. The logo on one side of the helmet is lame.I like the Bronco, and I'm glad it's only on one side ... that would be annoying on both sides.

But if they'd had some Giants-style "Boise" on the right side ... or at least something besides the number ... I'd like it a lot more.

xMrHitStickx904
09-07-2010, 01:19 AM
To me, Tech had better unis than Boise did.

ram29jackson
09-20-2010, 05:56 AM
but going back to what I said earlier. These are ideas where they are looking to see what sticks later

Oregon the forefathers of bizarre haha,Miami already had a post modern look.

Boises standard uni's from last year, Cal's Uni's

lots of teams have unusual shoulder stripes etc

Cincinnati's pants, camos for the Army

miami's pro combat helmet isnt even that original- they had a green helmet with the U emblem years ago.

eventually, some schools give in to something modern/new.

i'm glad that theres plenty that stay traditional. I think Pitt should have just changed the old yellow and blue just a little bit instead of the major change a few years ago.

I think Michigan should get rid of those thin stripes on their jersey too haha.

I would like to meet the guy who came up with the design for South Carolina