1. Rex Burkhead likes them.
2. Rex scores touchdowns.
3. Touchdowns win games.
Ergo, I like the uniforms. Impaler might be able to agree with me here (having lived in Oregon), but alternate uniforms are a BIG DEAL to student athletes. A BIG DEAL. And the simple fact is, Nebraska has been woefully slow to adopt any changes. Even the throwback "300" uniform caused a major stir within the fan base. I'm not saying that we need to go Full-Oregon with wonky color schemes and Darth Vader costumes, but by the same measure we can't afford to look stodgy. Nebraska has tightly held onto a tradition of excellence and that's permeated all the way down to the uniforms, the atmosphere and the fans. It always stays the same.
The problem is that Nebraska has not been nationally relevant for a while. And to kids growing up, we're no longer the traditional football powerhouse with classic uniforms, we are the outdated once-upon-a-time that is still clinging to the same duds we sported in 1980. Today's 20 year olds were 5 the last time Nebraska won a national title. And they hadn't even reached middle school when we last reached a BCS Bowl.
You read that right. Taylor Martinez and Rex Burkhead were learning to write in cursive when Nebraska was getting slobberknocked by Miami in 2001.
I love our uniforms - dearly. But we must be able to convey that Nebraska is a great school to attend. We already fight enough recruiting disadvantages, we don't need an old-timer mindset to deprive us of another. These alternates - whether you like the style or not - at least convey that Nebraska isn't afraid to mix it up. We're able to maintain our traditions and still be modern and fun. The fact is, I'm tired of being behind the times compared to Notre Dame, Alabama, Ohio State, Michigan, Stanford, USC and more. Kids like to look flashy and the last time I checked they were the ones actually suiting up.
Good post. What movie/show is the gif in your sig from? =P
