The Blob tends to be ambivalent about football teams and their throwback uniforms. Its feelings about them depend largely on how butt-ugly the chosen throwbacks are, and to which era they're being thrown back.
A few years ago, for instance, Notre Dame broke out its shamrocks-on-the-helmets throwbacks. This was a mistake, and not just because they looked horse you-know-what. It was because when the Irish wore shamrocks on their helmets, they were circus clowns.
Probably not a good idea to remind fans of perhaps the ONE era in your storied program's history when you were going 2-8 and the like. Ah, yes, the Joe Kuharich years. Those were the days, boy!
On the other hand, there's what Indiana is going to do this fall.
For the Cincinnati game on Sept. 18, see, they'll be wearing throwback unis from the 1980s and '90s.
Not only will that be a salute to the Bill Mallory Era -- the best period of sustained competence in IU's admittedly pallid football history -- but Indiana actually looked like Indiana in those unis. Crimson jerseys, crimson helmets with the iconic block "I" and a stripe down the middle, the whole shootin' match.
Considering the Hoosiers once donned helmets that looked like the love child of Yuri Gagarin and Santa Claus, this is an entirely pleasing and respectful development.
But the Blob thinks there's a throwback uni choice that would be even better.
With all the expectations flying around this team, why not break out unis that honor the 1968 Rose Bowl team?
The Hoosiers haven't been back to Pasadena since, and probably won't be this year unless a massive sinkhole opens up and eats Columbus, Ohio. But they are ranked in the preseason top 25 for the first time in 52 years.
So maybe this is the year to break out the Harry Gonso/John Isenbarger/Jade Butcher duds.
Works for me.
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