I was stunned when I saw UCLA's uniforms. I thought they were above that. But I guess not.

It also looks better on TV than Texas Tech or Oregon (or a lot of other special helmets for bowl games). Texas Tech looked like they dropped their helmets in the ketchup.

(12-31-2013 04:32 PM)talon owl Wrote:  It looks better on TV than the close-up photo.

Not a fan of this design. Looks like a blue flame. Or if you get the avian inspiration, it looks must like a grade school hand turkey.

After tonight, we should consign these helmets to the trash heap of football bowl history

(12-31-2013 07:13 PM)greyowl72 Wrote:  After tonight, we should consign these helmets to the trash heap of football bowl history

+100

Not a fan. Hope they never return (and only partially because of the outcome).

One word for the helmet design - Yuck!

I thought they looked fine. But I guess I am in the minority.

My 9 year-old neighbor thought it was Oregon.


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I didn't like the helmets. If there must be wings, why not the Hatfield-era wings? Today's decal was just like Oregon's. They were ugly and unoriginal.

(12-31-2013 04:22 PM)Philoso-Owl Wrote:  I don't think the fact that the wings are indistinct from a distance adds up to 'poor design' or 'accepting mediocrity'.

I quite like the matte white with glossy blue wings and the OE R on the back, though I wish the design were painted rather than decals. Most of all I wish it had come with blue jerseys and white pants rather than vice versa. Maybe with Cowboys-esque white shoulders?

at the game, we thought it like an "Indian Chief Headdress" with the individual feathers...

While I like the OER, If there was going to be a winged helmet, I want to see wings.

(12-31-2013 09:51 PM)Afflicted Wrote:  I didn't like the helmets. If there must be wings, why not the Hatfield-era wings? Today's decal was just like Oregon's. They were ugly and unoriginal.

yes

or the "Greek Owl" from the Aalborg years

I believe the flag that preceded the MOB had that owl --- it was always my favorite (who knew the MOB stored stuff for 20+ years.)

(12-31-2013 04:22 PM)Philoso-Owl Wrote:  I don't think the fact that the wings are indistinct from a distance adds up to 'poor design' or 'accepting mediocrity'.

It is unclear how a design that cannot be recognized from a distance can reasonably be characterized as good design, or how using such a design in our highest-profile game of the year can be characterized as other than accepting less-than-good design.

Helmets were fine but never again

haven't been on here in a while so feels kinda weird starting a new post asking for something...lol...so i'm going to hijack...hahaha...if anyone has old full sized helmets they would like to sell or give away hit me up....i have mine from when i played, but i want to own one of every design rice has had....this bowl game helmet included....thanks and proud of my owls....#smartguysdoitbetter

The helmets were awful. Plain and simple. JPA - just plain awful. I understand going retro, so going back to the last outright conference championship helmet of 1957(?) would have been fine at a push, but a new design so far from any previous one was very risky unless it was outstanding. the new helmet might be extraordinary, but it will never be outstanding. JMHO.

(12-31-2013 10:19 PM)texowl2 Wrote:  Helmets were fine but never again

Falling asleep in Memphis before returning to H tomorrow, thinking throwback to terrible past was a ****** decision to leave the OER out! WTF made this decision?? Bad Karma..........cost us a game??

I didn't particularly mind the helmets as a one-off thing, but it would be disappointing if you guys went with them full-time next year. The OER on the back was almost impossible to notice, and the wings were...badly executed, to say the least. I did like the White/White/Blue uni combo, though, and think that's a look you guys should go with more often.

Helmets seemed to get positive mentions from the neutral non-rice sites
I saw today, which is the whole point. Props to the decision makers behind them.

Edit: especially since who pays attention to helmets in games they don't usually follow?