Jersey gimmicks no substitute for tradition

TUSCALOOSA — Third-ranked Alabama is bound to be tested by No. 9 LSU on Saturday. But not to fret, Crimson Tide fans.

There is only one thing Alabama needs to guarantee it will roll past a formidable opponent: Houndstooth jerseys.

Failing such creativity, the Crimson Tide could just resort to white helmets, crimson pants, gray socks or any other random combination to give that extra bit of motivation to a team that hasn't been at its best in recent games.

Allow me now to remove my tongue from my cheek so I can properly dismiss this notion as ri diculous. As far as I know, Alabama won't be wearing anything Saturday other than its standard home uniforms. And here's a little secret that the football fashion police may not like: Uniform color does not matter — at all.

The rash of teams willing to shed traditional uniforms picked up new steam in the SEC on Saturday. Georgia set the pace by shedding its traditional silver britches for black ones with black helmets instead of the usual red ones.

The new uniforms were hideous, almost as bad as the Bulldogs played in a lopsided loss to rival Florida or against Alabama in black jerseys last season.

Tennessee followed suit later that night, wearing orange for warmups, then taking time before the kickoff to switch to black jerseys before beating South Caroli na on Halloween night. The move was a secret around UT, and some would say those shirts were why the Vols played well and won by 18 points. Silly me, I guess, since I'd argue it had more to do with Gamecock fumbles.

Almost every week now you hear about a school promoting some "Black-out" or "Blue-out" or "White-out" among its supporters.

It's time to say enough is enough. I don't mean to be a cur mudgeon regarding what is clearly so important to many. I get that it can be cool to have new uniforms, and that it's possible publicity for recruiting purposes. But I honestly do not understand the growing fascination.

If football fans — much less actual players — really need something like that to get inspired, then you have to wonder about the motivation of that program.

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