Bulldogs Win Big at Texas A&M in Maroon and White

Helmet: Maroon
Jersey: White
Pants: White

Maybe we should wear school colors against A&M more often?

The lengths at which Mississippi State and Texas A&M have gone to avoid a scrimmage-looking matchup has become sort of a running joke over the past few years. No matter the sport, it seems like in over half of the matchups between the Aggies and the Bulldogs, one of the teams will wear an alternate uniform. The two SEC West Maroon and White Adidas schools have only worn regular uniforms against each other in football twice (2013 and 2015, both times in College Station) since the Aggies joined the SEC in 2012. Even in their most recent non-SEC meeting, the 2000 Independence or "Snow" Bowl, the Aggies wore all-maroon and the Bulldogs wore white helmets for the first time since 1972.

To the surprise of few, this year was no different; while Mississippi State wore regular maroon helmets, white jerseys, and white pants (the same combo worn earlier in the season at LA Tech), the Aggies wore alternate all-maroon uniforms with chrome and black accents. The helmet was pretty cool, but the black primeknit pattern was really out of place on the jersey and pants. Overall, it was far from the worst alternate worn in the series (State's black uniforms last year and A&M's 2014 "icy" uniforms were worse), but that's more of an indication of how low the bar has been set than anything else. 

So while it was probably the worst uniform matchup State has been a part of this season, it was actually in the top 50% of State-A&M matchups. State's Maroon-White-White look still looks great (and I think it would look even better with matte helmets), and the all maroon from A&M would've been decent if not for the black primeknit pattern. With the win, the Bulldogs evened up their SEC matchup record with A&M at 3-3, and took a 4-3 in the series this century (accounting for the Snow Bowl).

In the SEC games between State and A&M, teams wearing alternate uniforms (not considering the DWS 100 uniforms in 2014) are now 2-3, while teams wearing school colors are 4-3. Interesting correlation: if both teams are wearing alternates or both are in school colors (2012,2013,2015), A&M wins. If one team is in an alternate and the other is in school colors (2014,2016,2017), State wins.

This week's uni model is QB #7 Nick Fitzgerald, who ran all over Texas A&M for the second straight season. Fitz threw 12/21 for 141 yards with 2 touchdowns and ran for 105 yards and a touchdown.