Michigan has one more year wearing uniforms supplied by Adidas, but it looks as though the soon-to-be-former apparel company will do Michigan well with a throwback look this season. According to one report out of Ann Arbor, the Wolverines will wear an all-white uniform combo when they are on the road this season, a nod to the 1974 season.
Chris Balas, senior editor for The Wolverine (Rivals affiliate covering Michigan), the Wolverines will wear white pants at the request of new head coach Jim Harbaugh. Harbaugh has taken some quick action in attempting to return Michigan to its roots, and the Wolverines have already abandoned past uniform decisions like legends jerseys. Harbaugh, who played for Bo Schembechler, knows the roots of the program. The 1974 season was a special one for the program.Actual jerseys Michigan will wear on the road. Heard this is by Jim Harbaugh’s request: 1974: https://t.co/OIKUqfZMhG pic.twitter.com/8loJ7UvA9W
— Chris Balas (@Balas_Wolverine) August 15, 2015
The 1974 Wolverines were crowned as co-champions of the Big Ten, sharing the title with rival Ohio State. That season saw Michigan outscore opponents 324-75 and finish with a No. 3 ranking in the Associated Press poll. Michigan shut out four opponents that season (Colorado, Navy, Minnesota and Purdue). Though the season ended without a bowl trip for the 10-1 Wolverines (yep, it was a different time), Michigan ended with the highest national rank of Schembechler’s career (until Michigan finished second in 1985). Michigan had proven to be a national force once again.
It may be weird to most watching Michigan this season seeing them not wearing their yellow pants, but this does look like a respectable touch from Adidas in the new look department, and they must be given credit for that. Now, what will the uniform look like? It would be pretty neat to see Michigan go with a matte finish when on the road to give it more of an old-school look. Or maybe put the numbers on the helmets.
