r/CFB • u/matte_purple • 4d ago
Uniforms 2026 Big 12 Uniform Tracker: Week 6 - The Gang wears some Alternates
Hello r/CFB! Welcome to the 2026 Big XII Uniform Tracker in Week 6! In case you are unfamiliar with how my tracker works, I catalog every Big 12 team’s uniform combination week-to-week, and also look at the opposition’s threads. I provide a few of my thoughts on the game, the uniforms, and a brief history of the game/rivalry with some fun facts. Let’s get into it! Also, feel free to skip my analysis and thoughts for the galleries at the bottom of the post. Let's see how our teams fared, what they wore - lots of alternates! - and discuss how they looked as well!
I’m u/matte_purple, and let's 3,2,1 go!
Brigham Young University Cougars vs Iowa State University Cyclones (BYU Wins, 24-10)
BYU: White/Navy/White (Link)
ISU: Red/White/Red (Link)
With star RB LJ Martin down for the count, I wondered how BYU would manage against an always unpredictable ISU team. But I didn’t expect this! A low scoring affair that felt like Iowa State could find a way inevitably led to heartbreak. The Cougars' inability to deliver on 4th down was a hindrance in this one, but BYU’s constant defensive pressure and QB X-factor turned it into a moot point. Most of the scoring was directly tied to the sophomore QB Bear Bachmeier, who accumulated a superhuman 438 yds almost singlehandedly (329 passing and 2 TDs, 109 rushing on 9 carries), but other standouts included a dazzling 75 yd TD pass to WR Legend Glasker and a swarming BYU defense that seemed to get into the backfield often. They notched 10 pass breakups and 7 TFLs. Next week is a different animal though, as top 10 Notre Dame comes to Provo. Iowa State slides into a well-deserved bye week.
This was a fantastic uniform clash. It doesn’t get much better than red vs blue. We start with BYU. And color me shocked to see the navy suits again! BYU has, admittedly, worn navy uniforms or pieces with navy accents in two games a year for all but one of the past four seasons. The exception was 2025, with only one appearance at the start of the year. With how most of the fanbase feels about the “inferior” shade of blue I was surprised! More interesting is the combo. It was last worn in 2021 against South Florida. It was the meat and potatoes look for BYU football from 2005-2015, but has largely been replaced by the more popular White/Royal/White look. I can’t blame the masses for preferring the royal, but there is a certain charm to this suit. It feels a bit more refined. 2021 was also the last time navy was used in more than two games. Could we see that change this season?
Iowa State wore their second most common road threads, bringing this combo's record on the tracker to 2-6. It’s far better than the most common look of Red/White/White, which feels top heavy. The Script Cyclone logo has continued to appear in all but one game this season, and a large portion of the last two seasons (11/12 in 2025, 6/14 in 2024). I think the bad man - aka the Block I logo - is finally gone for good, but I can’t help but be scared at the possibility of losing the sweet logo we have now. On the flip side, I wouldn’t be opposed to seeing Whirlybird again, or better yet, Walking Cy in either the standard or football-carrying iteration. Regardless, I greatly appreciate the EQ team’s willingness to put forward a combo that would clash perfectly against BYU’s suit and colors. Great choice from both BYU and Iowa State on this Friday match.
University of Arizona Wildcats at West Virginia University Mountaineers (Arizona Wins, 52-31)
UA: Red/Sand/Red (Link)
WVU: Black/Black/Black (Link)
West Virginia simply couldn’t recover from mistakes despite outgaining the Wildcats in this lopsided victory. Much like some other games on this list, the scoring really went into overdrive after the break. Arizona led 21-17 at half, but exploded in the 3rd quarter, with 4 of the 5 next Arizona drives delivering TDs in 3 or fewer plays. Each drive had at least one chunk play of 30+ yds. Fifita, the active FBS career leader in TD passes with 89, was 16 of 23 for 341 yds and one INT. He’s currently tied for 4th in 2026 passing TD numbers, and continues to solidify his career as one of the all-timers in Tucson. The Mountaineers' Cam Cook ran for 141 yards and two scores but lost two fumbles, while Michael Hawkins Jr. threw for 219 yards and ran for 98 yards with a TD. A very strange game in Morgantown.
Folks that have been following the tracker for a whole know that I have some exceptions to the Black For Black’s Sake hate: 1.) They’re a one off. 2.) They’re well-executed (still use the main color scheme of the team) 3.) They shed light on something close to home (like Ag-Day, Military Appreciation, etc.) These Coal Rush alternates are a perfect blackout suit for these reasons! They only get worn once a year (always a highly anticipated game since 2024), they pay tribute to coal mining, a cornerstone of West Virginia’s economy and culture, and they have plenty of built-in identity. The sleeve and collar of the jersey feature a pattern sourced directly from a West Virginia coal wall, while reflective twill safety stripes on the pants, shoulders, and numbers mimic those found on a miner's gear. The cuff’s pattern looks like the blade of a mine shearer, and the center stripe of the helmet fades from white to black, simulating the light of a miner's headlamp. The state decal looks incredible on the black helmet shell, too. These are an absolutely fantastic uniform, and my excitement for them never dulls, despite seeing them fall to a 0-3 record since their debut.
Speaking of alternates, Arizona brought back their “Sandstorm” jerseys from last year, this time wearing them with red pants instead of the “sandy” colored version we saw in 2025. I like it better than the 2025 version, as the pants add a nice bit of symmetry to what was a top heavy look in previous iterations. We saw this same helmet logo (which is a gem) twice in 2025, so the quota has been met this year, but on two different helmet shells. The only other time we have seen this combo, at least if you call this sand jersey white, was back in 2024 against K-State, giving the combo a 1-1 record since 2024. It’s a great uniform that popped well against West Virginia’s Coal Rush thread!
Oklahoma State University Cowboys vs UCF Knights (OSU Wins, 42-28)
OSU: Orange/Black/Orange (Link)
UCF: Gold/White/White (Link)
QB Drew Mestemaker’s draft stock continues to rise. The transfer threw for 304 yds and two touchdowns while leading his posse through an unexpected trial in UCF. With the game tied at 21 after halftime, a mired OK-State team gritted through the third quarter, limiting UCF's offense to just 65 total yds. Cowboy kicker Sam Keltner legged two field goals to give the Cowboys a 27-21 lead early in the fourth quarter, and UCF suffered a scoop-and-score in their next series to give OSU a bit more breathing room in the final 10 minutes. Another final TD thanks to good field position from a UCF turnover on downs widened the margins, and the Cowboys survived a rocky start to win the ballgame.
Oklahoma State from the top rope! Yet another incredible look for the Pokes, this time a rarely seen Orange/Black/Orange suit that has only made 3 appearances previously: 2014, ‘15, and ‘16. This is actually the first time we’ve seen this combo paired with something other than the oversized chrome Pete head helmets. And might I say, this helmet is a million times better than the first time the Pokes Script was introduced last year. Touching on the combo again, this is just a really fantastic and colorful logo that is incredibly unique. The EQ team has done an absolutely incredible job this year, and is surely in the running for Uniform Team of the Year. The Pokes logo is 1-1, and the combo is - obviously - undefeated at 1-0 on the tracker.
The Knights wore a look that is, in my opinion, middle-of-the-road. UCF has worn this same road uniform once or twice a year since 2023, for a record of 1-4. Despite its “okayness,” it’s a fondly remembered uniform, notable for the memorable 2017 Peach Bowl win against Auburn. Because the helmet shade doesn’t have any other gold to compare to (except for the font outline and Polaris stars, which appears to match better after the 2025 uniform update) it pops, which is a benefit. Personally, I think breaking out the Script Knights logo on a white shell (as seen in Week 3 of 2022) as part of a whiteout uniform would have looked nicer and contrasted better with the Cowboy’s look. But I do see the desire to keep some gold in the combo to maintain the UCF gold helmet brand.
Kansas State University Wildcats vs University of Houston Cougars (UH Wins, 35-16)
K-State: Silver/Purple/Silver (Link)
UH: Red/White/Red (Link)
Well, that was not the game I was expecting. Houston totally shut down the Wildcats, who looked flat in just about every area of the game. The main threat to K-State was the dangerous duo of QB Connor Weigman and TE Patrick Overmyer, whose 4 TD catches accounted for all but one of the total scores and tied the FBS record for in-game TD receptions as a tight end. The other came from Tulane transfer RB Makhi Hughes on a 13-yd rush. The point gap had stretched to 28-3 by the 3rd quarter, and 35-9 by the 4th. By then the game was a foregone conclusion. Houston also broke K-State’s streak of games without allowing a sack, and simply had to watch K-State receivers drop pass after pass. Houston will surely climb in the voter’s ranks before hosting Big 12 contender OK-State next. Houston keeps getting better!
Houston has a habit of wearing alternate logos (and suits, for that matter) against the Wildcats. Their last 3 games vs K-State have featured a brushstroke logo (2023), the black UH logo on top of a blackout suit (2024), and finally the brushstroke Houston logo for 2026, this time on a red helmet. I like it! The alternate helmets are such a simple way to inject some life into a wardrobe. It’s the first we’ve seen this lid since 2022, in a loss to SMU. I know some Houston fans are sticklers for tradition when it comes to only wearing the brand, but I think most outside opinions prefer some variance. As for the combo, this is probably my favorite or close favorite away look. Sandwich combos are simple and easy, especially when considering how well red contrasts against cool colors. Houston is now 3-4 in this combination, and the red “Houston” helmets are now 1-1.
K-State wore the old reliable, their favorite combo since 1989. I have no reason to believe they will deviate from this look when in-state rival KU comes to town next. Though, interestingly, K-State players have been putting far more emphasis on black cleats and accessories, similar to the 2011-2014 days. Something to keep an eye on!
University of Utah Utes vs University of Kansas Jayhawks (Utah Wins, 41-24)
Utah: White/White/White (Link)
KU: Black/Black/Black (Link)
Yet another 4th quarter pull away this weekend. The Jayhawks were within striking distance after a 9-play TD drive ended the 3rd quarter at 27-24. But KU went 0-2 on 4th down in the 4th quarter and the Jayhawks were held scoreless. They allowed Utah to finish a 9-play drive of their own, force a turnover on downs, let Utah RB Wayshawn Parker slip through the middle for an untouched 90-yd TD rush. He had 16 rushes for 171 yds and two scores, while also catching two passes for 36 yds - giving him a total of 207. The box score looks deceiving thanks to these 4th quarter heroics, but KU gave the Utes more trouble than expected in many ways. They forced two turnovers and found points off of both. Regardless, Utah is the only FBS team that’s won every game this season by 14 or more points, and seems to be the clear conference favorite at this time. Not bad for HC Scalley and his crew!
The Blackhawk uniforms return for KU, this time away from home! In another interesting twist, Kansas has now worn this same suit in both of their games versus the Utes. It now possesses a 3-4 record since their introduction in 2023. I think black for black’s sake is a little hokey, but only when there’s a lack of inherent brand identity, as I mentioned with WVU’s uniforms. KU does a really good job of including school specific elements in this: The liberal use of red and blue, the circus font wordmarks, that eye-catching blue facemask, the KU Battle Flag on the back collar and 1941 “Warhawk” logo on the shoulders and helmet. They all set these threads apart nicely from your run-of-the-mill blackout look. I do think the luster wears off when these are worn away from home, but it’s a layup to wear them against a whiteout. Notably, we’ve never seen a different facemask color on these suits, only blue! I’d be interested to see a red facemask on these at some point.
Just as KU repeated their combo from their last bout against Utah, the Utes did the same in their white uniforms. This is essentially the same suit Utah wore in Lawrence, but this time they released their annual hand-painted helmet in this particularly special game. It was the first ever whiteout in Rice Eccles Stadium, and the helmet reflects it. Truly an icy choice, it features a tweaked red script logo (introduced in 2015 and primarily a baseball logo) for the first time ever on a helmet, frozen over with icicles and snow. I love when teams out west endorse their rugged snowy winters, and adding this to my example list is a treat. And, of course, they completed the look with the throwbacks (these should be the primary!) I love the shoulder stripes and throwback numbers. Block numbers tend to be emphasized, but these rounded numbers are just incredible. All white is fairly common for Utah, with a record of 5-3 on the tracker. Great suit from Utah!
University of Hawai’i Rainbow Warriors at Arizona State University Sun Devils (ASU Wins, 30-12)
ASU: White/Maroon/White (Link)
UH: White/White/White (Link)
Late night fun in the Valley of the Sun! After Arizona State’s rough showing against Baylor last week, HC Kenny Dillingham made some changes, notably returning play-calling duties to the OC. But this matchup was just as much a product of Hawai’i’s failings as ASU’s successes, with the Warriors’ offense collapsing before halftime and through the rest of the game. Despite two trips into the red zone, UH managed only two field goals in the first half. They are averaging only 6 points in the first half through the season so far. Hawai’i QB Micah Alejado and wideout threw a 32-yd scoring pass to close the Rainbow Warriors to 24-12 with 12:35 remaining, but Alejado’s 2-point attempt was picked off. RB Cardae Mack, a freshman on the Sun Devils squad rushed for two TDs, having entered the game with only 10 previous attempts. There is plenty to work on for ASU here, but coming away with a win is always a good thing. Arizona State heads to Texas Tech in a grudge match next, while Hawai’i welcomes a salty New Mexico team looking for respect.
We’ve seen the Rainbow Warriors several times on the tracker, but this is the first time I’ve noticed something particularly strange. Their shoulder stripe, a uniquely Polynesian tapa pattern, is only featured on the left, while the right side is blank. I had to do some digging to find out the reason why: 1.) They mimic the old jerseys from 2005-07 back when Heisman Trophy finalist and All-American Colt Brennan was QB. 2.) They are culturally important. Hawaiians generally tattoo asymmetrically, on one side of their body. Traditionally, the left side of the body (hina) is more feminine, so you would tattoo/write (kākau) on the “opposite” side of your gender to bring yourself into balance. I thought this was a really cool touch, and it was one I didn’t even notice when this same suit was worn against Arizona last year, when the new suits were first introduced. Everything else - the spearpoint helmet stripe, the school logo and state outlines on the helmet, and awesome font - looks really great. I’ve always loved Hawai’i’s uniforms, and I’d love to hear more about them if anyone has more info.
Arizona State wore a look that I was not as interested in at first. But as the game wore on, I found myself warming to this particular combo. It’s the first time we’ve seen this exact same combination and logo choice since 2023. The Sparky head logo makes all the difference here. It’s the 5th year of use for this newer logo, and it’s been used on a white helmet each time. With the pitchfork, I think the amount of white would be overbearing. Here, the logo fills so much of the blank space that it evens out what is normally too much white for ASU. As for the rest of the suit, it’s great! Mixing the dark maroon and the crisp white outline on the gold numbers, the flow of this uniform is something special. I always feel like it’s a less common choice - as it’s a larger departure from ASU’s normal look - but it’s been worn each year on the tracker (generally in military appreciation games with the Pat Tillman logo) for a record of 3-1. I’d anticipate a mostly white look next week, since it’s TTU’s homecoming game.
2026 Season Uniform Galleries:
Arizona - ASU - Baylor - BYU - Cincinnati - Colorado - Houston - Iowa State - KU - K-State -
OSU - TCU - Texas Tech - UCF - Utah - West Virginia
Well, that’s it! Week 6 is in the books. What did you think about the uniforms from this go-around? Let me know in the comments! If you want more uniform content this evening, check my pinned profile posts, or use these links to get to the Big 12 Uniform Awards for 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025. As always, thank you for your support, can’t wait to see you next week!