Illinois Football Uniforms
Still blows my mind that all the stickers just go on freehand. Saw a video of the Packers building their rivalry helmet and all those stickers were freehand too so the pros do it the same way. If I did it, I just imagine all the wrinkles there would be, especially in the long stripe down the middle.
mattcoldagelli
- Script Illinois Enthusiast
ChiefGritty
- Chicago, IL
We have backslid into new-look-every-week 2014 mode in a disappointing way the last couple years.
Yeah, it's happening in the NFL too. Nike has really lost the plot.
You say this, but:
1. We have an equipment management team that gets paid to do this
2. We have a fanbase that a good portion thereof likes the variety.
We have several marks that fans gravitate to, none of which have a majority of support to move towards a primary logo. In the absence of that (or maybe even in spite of it depending on what influence the University has) we roll with a block I primary and go with other things as they can to keep engagement up and fans interested. It’s fun!
Btw, count me in on camp “navy blue helmet with arched Illini”
Fighter of the Nightman
- Chicago, IL
And yet the Block I has gotten SUCH a disproportionate share. If we were going to "pick a lane" and have the Block I as a constant and utilize the others as truly rare and special occurrences ... fine. If we were going to constantly switch it up and because of that strategy give our ACTUALLY good helmets way more airtime ... fine! We have seemingly combined the worst of both worlds, both failing to establish an ironclad and consistent look while also hardly ever wearing our cooler "alternate" helmets, lol.
The constant usage of the Block I does seem a little worse on the road, too.
Home Games
2026 - O/B/O and Arched ILLINI vs. Oregon (Veterans Day theme)
2026 - O/O/O and Slant ILLINOIS vs. Purdue (Orange Out)
2026 - O/B/O and Block I vs. Southern Illinois
2026 - O/B/O and Slant ILLINOIS vs. Duke (9/11-theme)
2026 - O/B/O and Block I vs. UAB
2025 - O/B/O and Block I vs. Northwestern
2025 - O/B/O and Arched ILLINI vs. Maryland (Veterans Day theme)
2025 - O/B/O and Block I vs. Rutgers
2025 - O/O/O and Slant ILLINOIS vs. Purdue (Orange Out)
2025 - O/B/O and Slant ILLINOIS vs. USC
2025 - O/B/O and Block I vs. Western Michigan
2025 - O/B/O and Block I vs. Western Illinois
Away Games
2026 - O/W/O and Block I at Maryland
2026 - O/W/O and Block I at Michigan State
2026 - O/W/O and Block I at Ohio State
2025 - O/W/O and Block I at Wisconsin
2025 - O/W/W and Arched ILLINI at Washington
2025 - O/W/O and Block I at Purdue
2025 - O/W/O and Script at Indiana
2025 - O/W/O and Slant ILLINOIS at Duke
We have worn the Block I in our last 4 road games and 5 of our last 6.
I don't know who gets to decide this stuff, but it's like the Block I is the "call on the field," and the "review" to potentially wear anything else has to have irrefutable evidence. If one of these conditions is not met, you can practically guarantee we are getting a Block I helmet.1) Is it our Orange Out game? If so, you will get Slant ILLINOIS and will probably never see it again all year.
2) Is it some type of "memorial" weekend like for Veterans Day or remembering 9/11? If so, you will get Slant ILLINOIS or Arched Illini barely tweaked to have some stars or something.
3) Is it a bowl game? If so, you will likely get some version of the Script helmet.
Is it just a huge game at Ohio State or at UCLA and you're hoping for a decent looking helmet and maybe even #BPOTR?? NO SOUP FOR YOU!
EDIT: Two more thoughts after reviewing those lists!
1) It's wild that the Indiana beatdown just seemed to ship the orange Script helmet into the trash.
2) One silver lining of that Washington debacle last year was it seemed to kill the white pants on the road for good. While #BPOTR would obviously be the best, I'll take the orange pants over white every time.