The College Football Playoff field is set, filled out with #4 Ohio State, #3 Florida State, #2 Oregon and the inaugural top seed, the University of Alabama. In a unique stroke of marketing luck, all four teams wear Nike, so it should come as no surprise that the brand will do something special to mark the occasion. First up, the new Alabama playoff uniforms.
Aesthetically, the Crimson Tide’s uniform features its usual style — crimson at home, white on the road — manifested in Nike’s innovative Mach Speed uniform system. Additional crimson accents are added to the set, along with a fractal diamond-like Swoosh, boasting an almost iridescent finish for striking if subtle flash.
Beneath the uniform, the Tide will wear a brand new Nike Pro Combat Hypercool baselayer that’s covered in a newly-designed Elephant print, a sort of modernized reinterpretation of Bama’s famous houndstooth. In a distinct twist, the pattern’s lines are actually comprised of tiny scripts that celebrate program history by way of years, mantras and messages important to Bama: “Beat everybody,” “Commitment,” “Roll Tide Roll,” the years of each national title, and so on.
The team will also wear that pattern on the palms of its new Nike Vapor Knit gloves, and the aforementioned diamond-color sheen and crimson accents adorn its new Nike Untouchable cleats.
Stay tuned for looks at the new Oregon, Ohio State and Florida State uniforms later today, and look for the new Alabama playoff uniforms’ on-field debut against the Buckeyes in the Sugar Bowl. Associated apparel will be available at Nike.com and select Nike retailers.