Iron Bowl Rivalry Uniforms (Update with Player Model Template)

[bigmike]

Hey guys, it's been a very long time since I have posted any concepts. Edit: Used a different template and updated this post with it. I plan on redoing the "style guide" template anyways once I start doing other teams. Even though my first template was somewhat customized, I still didn't really know whether I should use it or not so I took the first version down. Once I get a different template for it, I'll post the "style guide" back up, it will be similar but I'll use a template that can be (or already has been) released to everyone.

Anyways, I wanted to do something outside of the box for Alabama & Auburn. It is a bit of a break from tradition. Auburn recently had a shirt come out with this logo. The "state of Auburn", as you know I'm a huge Bama fan so obviously I find the shirt to be somewhat comical but I'm not gonna lie, if I was an Auburn fan I'd love it. I went to the Texas A&M vs. Auburn game a couple weeks back and the students are really embracing it, they were handing out free decals as soon as you walked it. This sparked an idea for me since my recent Alabama concepts have all featured a logo change for Bama using the state's outline with the Alabama A inside of it.

So for the Iron Bowl I created two modern looks for each team that build off of my last two concepts for Alabama & Auburn. Both schools embrace the "state" title as Auburn uses their "State of Auburn" moniker and Alabama counters with a pro combat slogan stating "THIS IS OUR STATE".

Alabama Changes - Glossy/Chrome Helmet, in my concept world chrome helmets wouldn't be so over the top. Think of a more toned down version of chrome, almost a more glossy effect similar to the decals Texas and Miami have used on their helmets recently. Also new State Outline logo on the helmet that is somewhat large and features sublimated houndstooth on the inside along with Alabama's tradition of helmet numbers. The jerseys again are evolved from my recent Bama concepts, houndstooth piping across the chest and houndstooth collar. Numbers are sleeker with a shiny silver outline. The pants feature the traditional Crimson double stripes with houndstooth in the middle, a striping pattern also used on the undershirt sleeves. The pants are now the new shiny silver color which matches the number outline.

Auburn Changes - Brought back the alternate helmet I once created for Auburn. The entire set is inspired by this logo and this logo. The uniform uses the tiger stripes on the shoulder yoke. The numbers are very different, they use a double outline to match their traditional northwestern stripes which are used on the undershirt and socks. The cleats and gloves feature tiger stripes to match the helmet and jersey. I also created a new state outline logo for Auburn used on the collar that is based off of the "state of auburn" logo but features the AU logo in the middle instead.

Overall, a huge break from tradition for both teams but two alternate uniforms that I feel would work very well for each team and unite the two schools in the battle for the state of Alabama.

V.1

V.2

[H11K]

I really like these concepts, very clean on both parts, maybe instead of using the houndstooth pattern outright you could just use it subliminally

[YelichGraphics]

i fell like alabama was changed a little too much. and i'm not a fan of the alburn helmet either

[martymcfry]

I don't know. It's a little out-there for a rivalry game, especially those that have great, classic uniforms.

[Clintau24]

I really like the idea of using the whole "fight for the state" type deal. I think the outline of the state on Alabama's helmet looks really good, and is a nice, small change from the norm. I've never liked the idea of the houndstooth on the uniforms (mainly because the history of the pattern, but that's a different story for a different day). But concept wise, I'd like to see the chest piping removed. That just isn't necessary in my mind.

For Auburn, I really love the socks and base layer. I'd buy that in a heartbeat. But I remember seeing that uniform concept before, and just didn't like it a whole lot. I've not seen many concepts for my Tigers I've really liked, so it's nothing personal. You said you based it off the Tiger Eyes and Tiger Stripes logos. Unfortunately for this concept, both those logos have basically been phased out to only merchandise purposes. I think it's a unique twist on the logo, and I like the work and idea. I just don't think it's Auburn enough. It just seems like it belongs more to Cincinnati than Auburn. Plus, I think it could use some pant stripes.

All in all, I'm liking this idea. Keep it up!

[hockeyny13]

i think both schools were changed a lot and thats good because everyone always complains that concepts for auburn and alabama are too crazy. ITs not about being classic and simple, its about making a distinguishable identity for these teams for this one game and you did a good job. love the idea about the fight for the state, just adds to rivalry.

[bigmike]

Just to reply to some of the feedback.

H11K - Thanks for the kind words, I actually am a bigger fan of using a sublimated pattern, I usually use that for my Home & Away sets for Alabama, since this is meant to be one time uniform design I wanted to make it stick out more so that's why I went with the black & white pattern, I think it pops better as well with all of the other elements in this design.

MCH925- I hear you but that's the point of this concept. Would never want to see these two sets full time for either team but as a one time deal I think this could work. You do have a point about using them for this rivalry game though, normally I'd rather them be used in a match-up without so much tradition but the whole theme of the concept is "the battle for the state" and it would also be good for both manufacturers to showcase these uniforms.

Clintau24- The pattern argument is usually brought up in these kinds of concepts, all though there is a point behind that Alabama has basically adopted houndstooth as an unofficial part of their identity so that's why I stick with it even though it really is a different pattern than the one worn on most of Bear Bryant's hats. I see what you're saying with the chest piping too, I kind of thought that myself but I thought it gave the uniform more "pop" so that's why I kept it, I may end up removing it though. Also I see what you're saying about Auburn, I don't know how well the base layer works with the "tiger striped" uniform but I tried to combine them together in a way that I think works. I knew those two logos have kind of phased out as well but the tiger eye logo has always been one of my favorites so that's why I chose to bring them back. Funny you say that about Cincy, I've been thinking about doing an NFL series and would probably use something similar to this for the Bengals.

hockeyny13 - Thanks, you get the idea behind the concept. Anything different from the norm is probably going to be looked at as crazy for Alabama & Auburn, and as a person who goes to school at Alabama and lives in the heart of this rivalry I'm the first person to understand that but like you said it is really just a design idea meant to be used for one game and to be something different but unique for both teams. It's nice to hear some feedback though that isn't just exclaiming how outlandish it is for both of these schools.

[bigmike]

Bump

Gonna post these on JCR's recently released template soon, I think it looks pretty nice with the player model and I'll include the base layer as well. Would like to hear some more comments. I may do some other NCAA rivalries, rebrands (a project I've been wanting to do for a long time but would take a while, it would include University wide uniform changes for each school that I do) or possibly even the NFL. If anyone has any suggestions on what they'd like to see let me know.

[hockeyny13]

id love to see a nike rivalry series for college with your new template

[H11K]

id love to see a nike rivalry series for college with your new template

OMG yes, I know that mattwillcox has done his rivalry series but id love to see what you can do especially with the rivalry games this week!

[bigmike]

I'll keep the rivalry series going for this week. I'll probably do some games like Florida-Florida State, Michigan-Ohio State, Army-Navy, I might do the Egg Bowl as well since it is a bigger game this year than normal. I'm open to suggestions for other games as well.

Meanwhile here is the Iron Bowl set on JCR's new template, one cool thing about this template is that I could show everything I already showed above and do a view of the player without a helmet which allowed me to use Amari Cooper & Nick Marshall's actual face's on each player model. I also took ClintAU24's suggestion and did an Alabama version without the piping, I'm torn on the two looks but I figure the general public would like it better without the piping as well.

V.1

V.2

[JCRGraphix]

You did a great job with that template! As much as I hate Auburn, you did a great job with them. Bama isn't bad either. Roll Tide.

[Clintau24]

I really love how they look on the template. Really brings things together better than they "lay things out on the floor" style. Man what I'd do for that Auburn base layer and socks...

[mbannon92]

I like these a lot, bigmike. The "battle for the state" idea is really cool, and I like the idea of super traditional teams having crazy uniforms for a game. No real complaints with either. Bama is still fairly traditional, but with the houndstooth, state outline, and shiny helmet to spice things up. Auburn was executed really well. You have the out-there helmet and jersey designs, but paired with the traditional stripes on the base layer and socks. I also like the emphasis on orange, something we don't see often from Auburn but looks good.

Hoping to see some more rivalries! Could I recommend Notre Dame and USC? I think you could do a great job with both.