As Mississippi State transitions to the classic "Interlocking MSU" uniform helmets full time for the 2026 season, with no apparent changes happening to the rest of the Bulldogs' clean yet perhaps too-simple uniform set, I wanted to take a stab at some tweaks that could be implemented for the 2027 season to create a more complete, distinct uniform set!
Part of the rationale behind making this concept was that I've been a bit burnt out on a million different iterations and debates on Mississippi State's football uniforms. This is obviously a topic I've been interested in and providing my opinions on for a long time - just look at the 14 years of concepts on https://www.hailstateunis.com/concepts! But lately I found myself apathetic or even annoyed when I would see debates about the subject - especially when they devolve into personal attacks or unnecessarily harsh disagreements.
Part of it is that I honestly think that the current uniforms are fine - but agree with detractors that there is significant room for improvement. And I get exhausted when I see suggestions for "improvements" that I think would just make them worse. And look - you're never going to make everyone happy. But with the interlocking MSU here to stay on the helmets, I hope that the years of debates over M-State/Script/Interlocking are finally behind us. Finer details are something that are very important to me - and something that I have strong opinions on! Opinions that I recognize will not align with everyone. All that to say - the goal of this is concept is to be able to reference the current version of what *I* would do with the uniforms any time the debate comes up.
Part of the rationale behind making this concept was that I've been a bit burnt out on a million different iterations and debates on Mississippi State's football uniforms. This is obviously a topic I've been interested in and providing my opinions on for a long time - just look at the 14 years of concepts on https://www.hailstateunis.com/concepts! But lately I found myself apathetic or even annoyed when I would see debates about the subject - especially when they devolve into personal attacks or unnecessarily harsh disagreements.
Part of it is that I honestly think that the current uniforms are fine - but agree with detractors that there is significant room for improvement. And I get exhausted when I see suggestions for "improvements" that I think would just make them worse. And look - you're never going to make everyone happy. But with the interlocking MSU here to stay on the helmets, I hope that the years of debates over M-State/Script/Interlocking are finally behind us. Finer details are something that are very important to me - and something that I have strong opinions on! Opinions that I recognize will not align with everyone. All that to say - the goal of this is concept is to be able to reference the current version of what *I* would do with the uniforms any time the debate comes up.
Here's a breakdown of those details that are included in this concept!
- Add the "Interlocking MSU" to both the jerseys and pants
- Mississippi State has been in branding hell over the last decade, with constant logo tweaks and changes. Now that we seem to have settled on the fan-favorite "Interlocking MSU" helmets, it's time to go all-in with it. No more half-measures or inconsistencies. Make the "Interlocking MSU" THE recognizable logo of Mississippi State football.
- In this concept, I add the "Interlocking MSU" to the jersey collar (where the Script "State" is now) and to the right front hip of the pants.
- Add "MISS. STATE" lettering to the chest
- This would be a callback to the original '90s "Interlocking MSU" uniforms that would really complete the "modern throwback" look.
- It would also solve one of the biggest problems with the current uniforms, which is that they're "too plain". Adding "MISS. STATE" to the chest would give the uniforms some character in a way that feels historically appropriate.
- I would also have no problem just going with a simpler "STATE" here - that's actually what I suggested last year!
- Add Double Stripes to the collar
- This is another callback to the original '90s uniforms, and an idea that I really like.
- This would also create some cross-sport consistency, mainly with baseball's classic maroon and white '85 uniforms, which also feature similar collar patterns.
- A concern here would be Adidas's templates, which change often and may or may not support this. The current template would support it except for the very front, which is why I've placed the collar logo there.
- Add Shoulder Numbers
- This is something I've been missing ever since they were not included in the 2023 redesign. Their absence is yet another thing that adds to the "too plain" feeling of the current uniforms. It's an easy decision to add them back.
- Traditional Sleeve Stripe Endings
- The current way that the sleeve stripes end at an angle on the front of the jersey is an interesting idea that I don't completely hate for the short term, especially when the jerseys are otherwise as plain as they are.
- Long term, however, I definitely prefer the more traditional endings to the sleeve stripes, especially with the chest being a lot busier with other designs in this concept.
- The color/pattern of sleeve stripes themselves don't change at all in this concept - double white on maroon, double maroon on white, and white-maroon-white on black is perfect as-is.
- Double Maroon Stripes on the White Helmets
- This is something I've been pushing for for years - I'd love to see the white helmets feature double maroon stripes rather than the single maroon stripe they currently do. This would create better consistency with the white jerseys and pants and I think would just be a sharper look overall.
- Silver Helmets and Gray Jerseys
- Mississippi State previously wore silver helmets in 2015-2016 and wore gray jerseys in both 2018 and 2021, though never in the traditional colorway. This concept brings both back with the maroon-white-maroon stripes featured on the existing gray pants.
- I always love it when Mississippi State does gray uniforms, as it allows both maroon and white to shine and contrast well. I think this would be a great alternate option if we wanted to add it.
Things that I often see included in concepts/ideas that I did NOT include in this concept:
- A new/different number font
- I see this one a lot, and I wouldn't be completely opposed if there were a cohesive option that I liked better that we introduced across the board. But I don't mind the "Bulldog Bold" font, and think it often gets a bad rap. For this concept, I am keeping it - both to maintain cross-sport consistency, and because I think the "MISS. STATE" lettering actually works really well in it.
- Black accents
- This was always my biggest holdup when people wanted to bring back the "Interlocking MSU" full time - I just couldn't get behind the very '90s black outlines that were on the original uniforms coming back full time. This concept - just like the last few I've done - show how the interlocking logo can work with uniforms that are inspired by - but not direct copies of - the original '90s uniforms.
That's my complete concept for Mississippi State's 2027 football uniforms! I'm sure my opinions will drift over time as other elements and trends are introduced, but as it stands right now, I think this would be the best way to perfect our current look.
Hail State!
Hail State!
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