The Ole Miss Rebels once again showcased a wide array of uniform styles in the 2023 season, sporting an impressive 13 different combinations, exceeding the previous year’s count. This constant change in on-field aesthetics naturally sparks debate: Which Ole Miss Football Uniforms were the most visually appealing, and which ones missed the mark? That’s the question we’re tackling today.
It’s important to preface this by saying that none of these ole miss football uniforms are inherently “bad”. However, some combinations undoubtedly stand out more than others. As a traditionalist, especially when it comes to Ole Miss, I tend to favor the classic powder blue and navy helmets, and I appreciate the versatility of gray pants.
Ranking these 13 looks proved to be a nuanced exercise, but here’s my personal breakdown of each ole miss football uniform combination from this past season, ordered from least favorite to most. The format will be Game (Opponent) — Helmet/Jersey/Pants. Let’s get started.
13. Game 1 vs. Mercer – White/Red/White: A Mismatch to Start
Alt text: Ole Miss wide receiver Tre Harris makes a catch against Mercer while wearing a white helmet, red jersey, and white pants uniform combination.
Ole Miss began their season with a dominant 73-7 victory over Mercer at home. Unfortunately, they also debuted what I consider their least effective ole miss football uniform of the year. As someone who has previously shared my thoughts on Ole Miss helmets, this particular white helmet iteration feels unnecessary.
If a white helmet is desired, the “Sugar Bowl” version is significantly better. Furthermore, envisioning that same “Sugar Bowl” helmet but with navy stripes instead of powder blue… now that would be a sharp look for ole miss football uniforms.
12. Game 10 at Georgia – White/White/White: Lacking Rebel Blue in Athens
Alt text: Georgia defensive back Trey Washington tackles Ole Miss running back Quinshon Judkins who is wearing an all-white Ole Miss Rebels uniform during a game.
You might be noticing a pattern with the bottom two rankings of these ole miss football uniforms. Again, this all-white combination isn’t inherently “bad,” but it simply doesn’t serve a distinct purpose in the rotation. Moreover, facing the Georgia Bulldogs, a team known for their heavy use of red, and not incorporating any shade of blue into your ole miss football uniforms feels like a missed opportunity. It’s a bold statement, but it’s true.
11. Game 9 vs. Texas A&M – Realtree/Powder/White: Camo in the Daylight
Alt text: Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart throws a pass against Texas A&M while wearing a Realtree camouflage helmet, powder blue jersey, and white pants uniform.
Do I dislike the Realtree helmet as part of the ole miss football uniforms collection? Not at all, actually. However, this particular uniform combination in a bright 11 a.m. game just doesn’t quite resonate as much.
Perhaps it’s the daytime lighting, because I suspect this exact ole miss football uniform combination would be significantly more impactful under the lights of a night game. The Realtree helmet also sparks curiosity when paired with a red jersey; hopefully, we might see that variation in the 2024 season’s ole miss football uniforms.
10. Game 11 vs. ULM – Patriotic Navy/Red/Gray: A Step Away from Perfection
Alt text: Ole Miss players wearing patriotic navy helmets, red jerseys, and gray pants run onto the field before a game against ULM.
“Wait,” you might ask, “I thought you were a traditionalist. Why is this patriotic ole miss football uniform ranked relatively low?”
This combination is actually incredibly close to being a top-tier ole miss football uniform for Ole Miss. The patriotic helmet decals are for a fantastic cause and convey a great message. However, aesthetically, they consistently leave me wanting just a little bit more in terms of visual appeal when considering the overall ole miss football uniforms.
This exact uniform setup, but with the standard helmet decals, would likely contend for the number one spot on this list. It highlights just how much the helmet detail impacts the overall impression of ole miss football uniforms.
9. Game 2 at Tulane – Sugar Bowl/White/White: Acceptable All-White
Alt text: Ole Miss defensive back Deantre Prince in a Sugar Bowl helmet, white jersey, and white pants uniform during a game against Tulane.
Typically, all-white ole miss football uniforms aren’t my preferred choice. However, this particular combination, featuring the Sugar Bowl helmet, is the best all-white option currently in the Rebels’ repertoire. It made for a visually decent uniform matchup in Week 2 against Tulane. However, with Tulane sporting their light blue jerseys, a higher degree of color contrast in ole miss football uniforms from Ole Miss might have been even better.
8. Game 6 vs. Arkansas – Sugar Bowl/Powder/White: Night Game Success
Alt text: Ole Miss running back Ulysses Bentley IV runs with the ball against Arkansas, wearing a Sugar Bowl helmet, powder blue jersey, and white pants.
I will readily admit: this ole miss football uniform combination, seen under the lights and paired against Arkansas’ red pants, looked genuinely impressive. There isn’t much more to analyze beyond that simple observation. It was a strong visual pairing.
7. Game 5 vs. LSU – Powder/Powder/White: Becoming a Modern Classic
Alt text: Ole Miss receiver Tre Harris makes a catch against LSU while wearing a powder blue helmet, powder blue jersey, and white pants uniform.
While the ole miss football uniform combination against Arkansas may arguably be visually superior on paper, this powder blue helmet, jersey, and white pants combo is steadily becoming synonymous with Ole Miss’ more contemporary classic looks. This is especially true when facing LSU, although personally, I believe the Navy/Red/Gray combination should be the go-to ole miss football uniforms when battling the Tigers.
6. Game 7 at Auburn – Navy/White/White: Strong Road Presence
Alt text: Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart runs with the ball against Auburn in a navy helmet, white jersey, and white pants uniform.
Call me unconventional, but I genuinely believe this is among the best road ole miss football uniforms. There’s something particularly striking about the navy helmet paired with the mono-white jersey and pants on the road, in my opinion. It’s a clean and powerful look.
5. Game 12 at Mississippi State – Navy/White/Gray: Classic Road Rebels
Alt text: Ole Miss tight end Caden Prieskorn celebrates a touchdown against Mississippi State while wearing a navy helmet, white jersey, and gray pants uniform during the Egg Bowl.
Simply stated: it’s challenging to surpass a classic, and this combination is precisely what comes to mind as the quintessential road ole miss football uniform when you envision the Rebels playing away from home. It’s instantly recognizable and undeniably Ole Miss.
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4. Game 3 vs. Georgia Tech – Navy/Navy/Gray: Synonymous with Ole Miss
Alt text: Ole Miss wide receiver Jordan Watkins runs after a catch against Georgia Tech in a navy helmet, navy jersey, and gray pants uniform.
This specific ole miss football uniform combination (and its near twin featuring a red jersey instead) is truly synonymous with Ole Miss football. It looks absolutely fantastic, especially under the vibrant lights of a night game in Oxford. It’s a powerful and traditional look that embodies the Rebels’ brand.
3. Game 13 vs. Penn State – Powder/White/White: Elite Road Option
Alt text: Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart looks to pass against Penn State wearing a powder blue helmet, white jersey, and white pants uniform in the Peach Bowl.
It might seem unusual to rank a combination featuring white pants this high, but I’ve reached a point where I consider this powder blue helmet, white jersey, and white pants setup as Ole Miss’ second-best road option for ole miss football uniforms. It truly is an elite visual. The powder blue pops against the white, creating a dynamic and modern road look.
2. Game 4 at Alabama – Powder/White/Gray: Top Tier Road Uniform
Alt text: Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart looks downfield against Alabama while wearing a powder blue helmet, white jersey, and gray pants uniform.
This, without any hesitation, is Ole Miss’ strongest road ole miss football uniform combination. In fact, it arguably rivals for the number one overall spot, but since I opted against tie rankings for this analysis, it secures the number two position due to its primary use being away from home. The powder blue helmet and gray pants are a fantastic pairing.
1. Game 8 vs. Vanderbilt – Powder/Red/Gray: College Football Uniform Perfection
Alt text: Ole Miss offensive coordinator Charlie Weis Jr. and quarterback Jaxson Dart on the sideline during a game against Vanderbilt; Dart is wearing a powder blue helmet, red jersey, and gray pants uniform.
You would be hard-pressed to find a more visually appealing uniform combination across all of college football than this one. Some fans might express reservations about the powder blue helmets combined with navy stripes atop the gray pants. However, those minor details ultimately don’t detract from the overall impact.
For many years, this exact ole miss football uniform look was synonymous with Ole Miss football, color contrast and all. It truly pops both on the field and on television broadcasts, and it firmly stands as one of the premier ole miss football uniforms in the game today.
