Ranking the SEC's 2014 home uniforms

SDS’ own Brad Crawford is borderline obsessed with uniform designs and helmet updates. So much so, he wears vision shields to work and recently provided a comprehensive look at the combinations each team in the SEC will be wearing this fall.

Here’s a team-by-team glance at what you’ll see in the SEC this season:

Furthermore, Crawford’s ranked the home, road and alternate concept sets for each team too. There’s no real formula in selecting the best looks, just what he deems as appealing to the eye and intimidating to the opposition.

Tradition helps for bonus points, but it’s 2014 and ‘new hotness’ is in.

Ranking the SEC’s best 2014 home uniforms

14. Mississippi State (Maroon on White) — Call it what you may, but I’m not a fan of purple-tinted maroon. Matte helmets are nice (when the Bulldogs) wear them, but Mississippi St.’s generic 2014 Adidas base template with wide shoulder stripes and a double-stacked wordmark across the chest are rather dull.

13. Vanderbilt (Black on Black) — Any combination of gold and black is often the perfect contrast, but the Commodores’ went monochromatic on opening night and what transpired was a total disaster. Adding to Vanderbilt’s 30-point home loss frustration, the NCAA deemed the Commodores’ ‘Anchor Down’ nameplates as ‘not permissible under regulations’ since teams other than military academies can not put slogans on the backs of jerseys.

12. South Carolina (Garnet on Garnet) — The Gamecocks’ all-garnet Under Armour look lost some of its swagger after last week’s 24-point pasting at the hands of Texas A&M and the off-white helmet’s never been an eye-catcher. Eleven total stripes on the jersey, helmet and pants represent 11 buildings on the historic Horseshoe in the center of campus. Regardless, that’s too many stripes.

11. Tennessee (Orange on White) — Vibrant orange. Creamsicle. Vol bright. Not to be confused with Clemson’s deep orange, Tennessee’s version has its own look, one that’s been around for several decades. The shade’s officially ‘UT Orange PMS 151′ and corresponds well with Adidas’ block white numerals.

10. Texas A&M (Maroon on White) — Matte is in! The Aggies actually have helmet the same shade as their jerseys, a rarity in today’s uniform age. Subtle grey accents with white secondary stripes set off the home look. A similar color to Mississippi State’s threads, Adidas did a better job with the temple in College Station.

9.Arkansas (Red on Red) — Finally, a Razorback uniform update that Nike got right. A sleek wordmark across the chest below a Flywired neckline and a new forward-facing secondary logo gives Arkansas a mean look. ‘Tusks’ stripes on the shoulders are a nice addition.

8.Kentucky (Blue on White) — Blue, black and grey. The Wildcats have several home Nike options this season and all correspond well with Kentucky’s liquid blue helmets that tend to gleam under the lights in Lexington. Checkerboard graphics on sleeves is something Adidas wishes it would’ve have added first on Tennessee’s threads.

7.Ole Miss (Navy on White) — The Rebels’ red alternates are sweet, but the preferred home choice of primary navy with white accents and white pants is one of the SEC’s cleanest Nike options. The swoosh went to a more traditional look in Oxford last season with wide shoulder stripes on each home, road or alternate jersey option. The lack of bells and whistles works for the Rebels.

6.Mizzou (Black on Black) — Mizzou’s secondary color is more canyon yellow than gold, but it works well for the Tigers’ preferred monochromatic all-black look at home. Gold numerals deliver the perfect contrast and a jersey with a subtle horizontal Tiger band at the bicep is an interesting detail that matches Mizzou’s helmet and pants stripe.

5.LSU (Purple on Gold) — Purple jerseys have become a rarity in Baton Rouge, but they’re one of the SEC’s best looks when paired with gold pants on Saturday nights at Tiger Stadium.

4.Auburn (Navy on White) — If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it and as of now, the Tigers are sticking with their classic navy on white look at home despite pressure from Under Armour to incorporate an orange alternate top or dark pants.

3.Alabama (Crimson on White) — One of college football’s classic uniform combinations isn’t changing anytime soon, so we’ve learned to love it and more importantly, respect it. Twin piping down the side of the Crimson Tide’s pants extending to the knee creates a seamless transition from jersey to hip.

2.Florida (Blue on White) — The Gators’ royal blue looks a lot like Kentucky’s hue on gameday, but the major Nike uniform difference is the hint of orange throughout. White numerals are outlined in orange along with twin shoulder stripes.

1.Georgia (Red on Grey) — I’ll admit, Todd Gurley sprinting into the end zone makes this classic option look even better — the perfect blend of red, white and black. The Bulldogs have worn red jerseys with a white neckline in the past, but a return to black with the ‘G’ at the crest and white, bubbled numerals is fantastic. Georgia fans are still crossing their fingers for a return to silver britches, but for now, grey will work.