Alternate uniforms are a consistently debated topic among Ohio State Buckeyes fans. Rooted in tradition, many fans believe in the mantra, “if it isn’t broken, don’t fix it,” cherishing the classic scarlet home and white away jerseys as some of the most iconic in college football.
Over the years, Ohio State has occasionally introduced alternate jerseys, ranging from modern throwbacks to color variations and innovative designs. To date, the Buckeyes have showcased 14 different alternate uniform designs. While some are subtle nods to tradition, others are more adventurous departures.
Recruits often respond positively to these alternate creations, making them a valuable tool for the Buckeyes when hosting prospective players. With 12 games on the 2024 schedule, the question isn’t if we’ll see Ohio State alternate uniforms, but when and which ones.
When Will the Ohio State Alternate Uniforms Appear in 2024?
Confirmed: Gray Alternates vs Iowa on October 5th
Game kickoff times and special events are gradually being announced. Among the confirmed special events for home games, the October 5th matchup against Iowa will feature the all-gray alternate uniforms.
This game will mark the second appearance of the all-gray uniform set. The first time, Ohio State defeated Michigan State, 38-3, in their debut.
Ohio State holds a dominant 47-15-3 record against Iowa. In their last encounter, Ohio State triumphed 54-10. Notably, in 2022, Iowa’s defense was stingy, allowing fewer than 10 points per game in contests not involving Ohio State. Interestingly, in a prior game in 2017, Iowa wore alternate uniforms and secured a decisive 55-24 victory, fueled by pick-sixes.
Top Candidates: Marshall, Nebraska, and Indiana Games
Looking at the Buckeyes’ schedule, marquee matchups are split, with two being away games. This limits opportunities for showcasing Ohio State alternate uniforms against high-profile opponents at home. However, if Ohio State plans to utilize alternates more than once, several games stand out.
The Marshall game, while not a widely circled contest, presents an intriguing possibility. These teams have only met once before, in 2004, resulting in a close 24-21 Ohio State win secured by a last-second field goal. This year’s Marshall game is designated as the “Scarlet and Gray Game.” The exact meaning is still unclear, but it could suggest special uniform aesthetics.
Next, Nebraska visits for Homecoming, traditionally not an alternate uniform game. However, this Homecoming is also branded “Scarlet the Shoe.” Last year, a similar “Scarlet the Shoe” event against Penn State saw the team in standard home uniforms. Two years prior, scarlet pants debuted with the classic scarlet jersey. Could scarlet pants be the plan for the Nebraska game this year, offering a subtle Ohio State alternate uniforms variation?
Finding a third likely game is more challenging. The choice narrows to Indiana or Western Michigan. It’s less probable Ohio State would use an alternate for a non-conference game like Western Michigan. However, if the Indiana game avoids a noon kickoff, it becomes a contender. Shaking things up before the Michigan rivalry game the following week could be a strategic move with Ohio State alternate uniforms.
Unlikely Games: Akron, Western Michigan, Purdue
Certain games are less probable for alternate uniforms. Week 1 against Akron is already set for a 3:30 P.M. kickoff, and season openers are rarely the time for alternate uniforms for Ohio State.
Ohio State Buckeyes football players in gray alternate uniforms during a game, hinting at the possible Ohio State alternate uniforms 2024.
The 7:30 P.M. kickoff for Western Michigan might raise eyebrows. A night game against an expected lower-ranked opponent seems like an ideal scenario for alternates. While exciting, there are likely more strategic opportunities for deploying different uniform combinations.
The Purdue game is designated as “Military Appreciation” week. Purdue has historically been a challenging opponent for Ohio State. Since 2000, only Michigan has defeated Ohio State more times than Purdue. Just as Iowa wore alternates against Ohio State in 2017, Purdue debuted alternate uniforms against Ohio State in 2018 and secured a 49-20 victory. However, given the “Military Appreciation” theme, a special uniform might be considered, but it’s less likely to be a full alternate.
Highly Unlikely: Michigan Game
Surprisingly, in 7 out of 27 regular-season instances of Ohio State wearing alternates, it has been against Michigan. While honoring past greats is admirable, deploying alternates against their biggest rival, “The Game,” might miss the mark for some traditionalists. Of these seven instances, two were throwbacks, one a throwback/College Football Playoff top with a different throwback helmet, three “Rivalry” alternates, and one the “Land of the Wolves” white version.
Despite the appeal of some of these designs, “The Game” might not be the appropriate stage. Considering Ohio State hasn’t worn alternates against Michigan since 2017, this trend might be over. If changes are considered for this rivalry, mirroring USC vs. UCLA with consistent home and away colors – scarlet versus blue every year – could be a compelling idea. Imagine that visual spectacle on the Saturday after Thanksgiving annually.
Balancing Tradition and Modernity
Ohio State alternate uniforms, much like a favorite treat, are best in moderation. A tasteful use can be exciting, but overdoing it diminishes the impact.
While less frequent, road game alternates are not entirely out of the question. Nine of the 27 regular-season alternate uniform appearances occurred on the road. Furthermore, Ohio State’s seven CFP games have all featured a modern interpretation of the 1968 throwbacks using the Nike Diamond Quest template.
Under Ryan Day, Ohio State has worn alternates nine times. However, they’ve never worn them multiple times in a regular season. Since 2019, alternates have been limited to once per regular season. It’s highly plausible that the gray alternates against Iowa will be the sole Ohio State alternate uniforms we see in the 2024 regular season.
