Nov. 25, 2023; Ann Arbor, Mi., USA; Helmets for the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Michigan Wolverines decorate the on-field set for ESPNÕs College GameDay before SaturdayÕs NCAA Division I football game at Michigan Stadium.
Way more than 10
EUGENE, OR – OCTOBER 6: Close-up of the Oregon Ducks ‘Liquid Metal’ helmet during the the game between the Oregon Ducks and the Washington Huskies on October 6, 2012 at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon. Oregon won the game 52-21. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images)
The Big Ten has 18 schools heading into the 2024 football season. The conference keeps expanding, adding USC, UCLA, Washington, and Oregon for this season. That means competition on the field and some great fashion statements when it comes to uniforms and helmets. How do the schools rank when it comes to headgear? Here’s our breakdown…
18. Rutgers
Oct 7, 2023; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights football helmets sit on the field during warmups prior to the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Little success in the conference since joining and not a ton of reasons to get fired up to go out and buy a Rutgers helmet.
17, Northwestern
EVANSTON, ILLINOIS – SEPTEMBER 09: A detail of a Northwestern Wildcats helmet prior to the game against the UTEP Miners at Ryan Field on September 09, 2023 in Evanston, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Love the purple. The “N” is a bit funky and doesn’t scream exciting.
16. Indiana
Oct 24, 2020; Bloomington, Indiana, USA; Indiana Hoosiers raise their helmets after the game at Memorial Stadium. The Indiana Hoosiers defeated the Penn State Nittany Lions 36 to 35. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports
The coloring is sharp and the logo is fine. Just tough competition in the Big Ten when it comes to football and helmets.
15. Nebraska
Oct 6, 2018; Madison, WI, USA; A Nebraska Cornhuskers helmet sits on the sidelines during the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Some people love classic. Others are not as enthralled with basic.
14. Wisconsin
Oct 6, 2018; Madison, WI, USA; Wisconsin Badgers helmets sit on the sidelines during the game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Points for the power of the “W.”
13. UCLA
Jul 29, 2022; Los Angeles, CA, USA; A detailed view of UCLA Bruins helmet during Pac-12 Media Day at Novo Theater. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
The script lettering is great but the Bruins don’t have the best helmet in LA, let alone the conference.
12. Illinois
Oct 1, 2022; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini helmet during warmups prior to the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
School colors are wonderful. Make the “I” bigger to bring out the power of the Fighting Illini.
11. Penn State
Nov 16, 2013; University Park, PA, USA; General view of a Penn State Nittany Lions helmet prior to the game against the Purdue Boilermakers at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports
If you live for and love a classic look, this one is for you.
10. Purdue
A young fan holds a helmet signed by players ahead of the NCAA football game between the Purdue Boilermakers and the Indiana Hoosiers, Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023, at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Ind.
Sharp colors and the black plays well off the gold. Now if the program could match the helmet.
9. Michigan State
Nov 24, 2023; Detroit, Michigan, USA; A Michigan State Spartans helmet sits on a bench during the second half game against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: David Reginek-USA TODAY Sports
Never fancied the color green much but the Spartans logo is oh so cool.
8. Washington
Jan 8, 2024; Houston, TX, USA; Detailed view of Washington Huskies helmet during the 2024 College Football Playoff national championship game at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
The purple W pops off the gold helmet. A championship-style look.
7. Iowa
Oct 14, 2023; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; General view of Iowa Hawkeyes helmets prior to the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
The Hawkeye logo can scare anyone. Now, about that offense …
6. Minnesota
Nov 10, 2018; Minneapolis, MN, USA; A general view of a Minnesota Golden Gophers helmets before a game against the Purdue Boilermakers at TCF Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
The “M” is mmmmmmmmm good and the school colors work nicely with each other.
5. Oregon
Oct 21, 2023; Eugene, Oregon, USA; Oregon Ducks helmet at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Craig Strobeck-USA TODAY Sports
The school with more outfits and looks than any other easily qualifies for the top five.
4. Ohio State
Oct. 14, 2023; Lafayette, In., USA; Gloves lie on top of the helmet of Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Julian Fleming (4) before Saturday’s NCAA Division I football game against the Purdue Boilermakers at Ross-Ade Stadium in Lafayette.
The more Buckeye stickers on the helmet, the better it looks.
3. Maryland
Oct 1, 2021; College Park, Maryland, USA; A detailed view of a Maryland Terrapins helmet on the sidelines during the second half of the game between the Maryland Terrapins and the Iowa Hawkeyes at Capital One Field at Maryland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Taetsch-USA TODAY Sports
One of the better state flags looks fantastic on a football helmet.
2. Michigan
Apr 1, 2023; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan Wolverines helmet on the sideline during the Spring Game at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
A great look and for years would have been best in the conference. Expansion creates more challenges and for the time being the Wolverines are in the runner-up spot
1. USC
SALT LAKE CITY, UT – OCTOBER 25: View of the USC Trojans football helmets shown during their game against the Utah Utes at Rice-Eccles Stadium on October 25, 2014 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr/Getty Images )
A vision in football helmets. Matches perfectly with the school’s success throughout its history. Now the test is to step it up as the Trojans shift from the Pac-12 to the Big Ten. They’ve already won the helmet game.
