While the 2024 College Football season continues to grow closer, unfortunately for Big 12 fans, the season remains two months away.
To pass the time before the start of the Big 12 season, we decided to choose the best football helmet for each team in the Big 12 Conference!
ARIZONA – 2020 RED
While some Big 12 programs have experimented with various logos on the side of their helmets, Arizona has, for more or less, always sported the “A.” The A has undergone a number of changes during the program’s football history, and while it could be an unpopular opinion, I’m pretty partial to the 2020 all-red helmets.
ARIZONA STATE – 1992-1995
Simply put, Arizona State has too many incredible options to pick just one. Although the program has featured some incredible alternates and throwbacks in the past two decades, there’s something eye-catching about the look of the helmets from the early 1990s.
While not every program will receive an honorable mention, ASU’s 2019 look with the stripe down the middle earns it the first HM on the list.
BAYLOR – 2013-2017
Baylor’s helmet look has remained relatively consistent throughout the program’s history, using various alternate helmets for the school’s primary colors. While the sailor Bear mascot definitely has a soft spot in the hearts of many fans in Waco, the chrome look is outstanding.
BYU – 1978-1993
One of the most storied programs in the entire Big 12 Conference, BYU Football has always embraced tradition. This pick came down to the vintage BYU helmet of the 70s and 80s versus the alternate black helmets of the 2010s. Ultimately, the classic blue and white logo was the correct choice.
CINCINNATI – 2012
Cincinnati has enough awesome variants that this pick could be split among a few representatives, but in the end, the white outline on the black logos really stands out and looks incredible when matched with the red.
Honorable mention goes to this sweet helmet from 2015.
COLORADO – 1982-1984
While the colors of the helmets immediately make some think about UCLA, I actually really like the alternate blue for Colorado. The Buffs will likely have some more exciting uniform combinations for years to come under Deion Sanders, but the 82-84 helmets take the cake.
HOUSTON – 2023
Likely the newest inclusion on the list, the Houston blue colorway is something to behold. While the NFL may not like the idea because it seems to be inspired by the Houston Oilers, the Houston Cougars get a 10/10 for this specific helmet.
IOWA STATE – 1983-1986
Iowa State has many great-looking logos in their team’s history, and this is a logo they should lean into more. The Cyclones are in a select group of college football programs that typically don’t stray from their comfort zone regarding alternate looks, but the 80s helmets deserve more praise.
KANSAS – 2023
Whoever is in charge of putting together Kansas’ helmet and uniform combinations lately needs a raise. The helmet featured above was a piece from the 2023 “BlackHawk” uniforms, and they were absolutely incredible.
KANSAS STATE – 1988
Similar to Iowa State, Kansas State is another program that leans into tradition. The Wildcats have loosely worn the same uniforms since 1989, and they absolutely need to embrace the Cats script logo. This helmet from the 80s is the perfect choice of a throwback to introduce.
Honorable mention came with this icy white helmet seen at the 2019 Liberty Bowl.
OKLAHOMA STATE – 1977-1979
Sometimes, tradition wins. That’s the case with Oklahoma State. The helmet above is the perfect logo, and the Cowboy orange completes the look. This pick was tough because OSU has made some really nice helmets over the last few seasons, but we had to give the nod to the ’70s vintage look.
TCU – 2022
This is the best helmet in football. TCU’s addition of the pinkish-red accent color to their jerseys and helmets was an incredible marketing idea. While several helmets deserve the honor, this one sits above the rest on the throne.
Honorable mention for the Horned Frogs is this beauty from 2023.
TEXAS TECH – 1974
The Texas Tech block T is such an incredible logo. The stars add a really nice accent to the helmet, which Tech could use for merch releases and throwback alternates. With Joey McGuire at the helm in Lubbock, it feels like Tech’s helmets are only going to continue to improve.
UCF – 2019
Many teams try to perfect the United States flag on their helmets, and UCF is the first to do that accurately. The block letting is a consistent staple that looks good on the bulk of their helmets, and the nation’s flag tied into it just completes the look.
Honorable mention for UCF comes courtesy of the 2023 space game.
UTAH – 2021
Long story short, Utah leaning into the Rose Bowl for jersey and helmet designs was a really great look. The look inspired many in the fanbase to embrace the Rose Bowl, and that’s a big portion of the helmet design above. Whether it’s a single rose or multiple, this helmet deserves praise.
WEST VIRGINIA – 1971-1972
The West Virginia Mountaineers have the oldest helmet featured on the list, with the helmet above being sported in the early 1970s. The state logo behind the WVU letters is a killer look for the side of a vintage helmet.
Photos courtesy of the HelmetHistory.com.
