Camp Randall’s four-year, $109 million renovation is complete and the football team will be wearing throwback uniforms to commemorate the event. The pants and jerseys of today’s Badgers aren’t radically different than those in the 1960s, but even casual fans will notice the throwback helmets.
The Big Ten currently has several distinctive helmets. Here’s our ranking:
1. Michigan
There shouldn’t be any argument here. When Fritz Crisler brought the design with him from Princeton in 1938, he gave the Wolverines the most recognizable helmet in football.
2. Iowa
The gold Tiger Hawk was a Hayden Fry innovation that has been on the black helmets since 1979. A gold stripe is a nice contrast. There is no mistaken identity.
3. Ohio State
The metallic silver with a red-white-red-white-red stripe down the middle is classy headgear and has been worn by OSU since 1968. Those little Buckeye stickers are somewhat busy, however.
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4. Wisconsin
The distinctive cardinal “W” on a white helmet is a good look. The double cardinal stripe down the middle is a nice touch.
5. Purdue
OK, maybe the color isn’t “old gold,” but it is cool. Nice “P” on the sides. If the Boilers ever do a throwback helmet, they should do the Len Dawson-Lamar Lundy black helmet with three gold stripes number from the 1950s.
6. Illinois
The orange shell with the blue-white-blue stripe down the center is classic. The “Illinois” decal is OK.
7. Indiana,
8. Michigan State,
9. Northwestern,
10. Minnesota
Same style with a solid shell, no stripe and decal. Indiana and Michigan State get extra points for metallic look.
11. Penn State
Yeah, it may be classic, but it is dull. You can buy a white shell at Dick’s and some navy blue tape and make your own. In the ’60s there were at least numbers on the sides.