As much I as love football, I also love fashion.  When choosing a career path, sports journalism got the edge but the creative bug managed to manifest itself in other ways.  So being the artistic type, it's not surprising that when I am watching or attending an athletic event, my eye is drawn not only to the action on the field, but the details surrounding it - including signage, advertisements, souvenirs, the video board and  what the teams are wearing.

It's no surprise then that September is a month I look forward to every year - fashion week, football kickoff and the thickest editions of the fashion and beauty magazines detailing all the trends of the season.  While the X's and O's are still the most important part of the game, there is a definite interest in who and what teams are wearing on the "green carpet" as evidenced by a few national sports blogs dedicated strictly to covering uniforms.  With fashion, you are making a statement and with continued emphasis on promotion and branding across college athletic programs, the football uniform is an opportunity to create buzz - public relations speak for publicity.  Last week's debut of Maryland's custom look generated as much watercooler talk as Lady Gaga's meat dress at the MTV music video awards.

Current trends of the football uniform include an emphasis on fit and fabric relative to sports performance and safety.  Popular uniform manufacturers like Nike, Under Armour and adidas feature cutting edge designs with improved ergonomics, ventilation, fabric weight, streamlined pads and increased protection.  Custom design also incorporate team colors with distinctive striping and accents, numbers and color combinations.  The standard home and away uniforms have been enhanced with different pant and jersey combinations, along with specialty uniforms such as throwbacks, single-game custom designs, commemorative jerseys and helmets.  Trendsetter Oregon boasts a Kardashian-sized closet when it comes to its uniform arsenal, with more than 80 different combinations for uniform choices.

To prepare for game day each team has its own equivalent of Rachel Zoe  - the equipment manager.  This group is one of the hardest working in college football and in preparing to write this blog, I chatted with each one of them about all things uniform in Conference USA. 

Football uniforms among Conference USA teams are primarily traditional - much like your favorite pair of Levis jeans - clean cut and classic - think Ralph Lauren or Tommy Hilfiger.  The head coach is the primary decision maker when it comes to the uniform style and design, but several favor input from the equipment managers and the players.  Nike is the uniform manufacturer for 11 of the C-USA teams (adidas outfits SMU) and the traits of those companies can be seen in the current attire.

New coaches and wear and tear are the main reasons for a uniform change, but sometimes the players or a logo change may inspire it.  East Carolina recently debuted new helmets featuring the pirate skull and crossbones mark which has become a popular favorite in Greenville.  The Pirates also upgraded their jerseys to the Nike Pro Combat material that has received positive player feedback due to its fit and feel.  Memphis also upgraded to the new Nike material when it introduced new uniforms this year, along with a slight color adjustment to the blue/gray home sets.  Memphis was added as a vertical accent to the pants.  UTEP made several changes to their Nike uniforms this year, including material, streamlining color, upgrading to twill letters and numbers and incorporating "MINERS" down the side of the pants.  SMU is also enjoying a new seamless tech fit jersey, produced by adidas, as well as a few tweaks to the pony on the helmet.

Houston is one of the only teams in the league to wear throwback jerseys and helmets this season reminiscent of the Yeoman era.  The jersey also features an arched chest insignia.  The throwbacks celebrate the history of UH football for the 2011 homecoming celebration in October.

Tulane changed the face masks of its white helmets from black to green.  Southern Miss added a new helmet this year,  black with a matte finish, which is another look that is popping up on the field.  The Golden Eagles are mixing it up by wearing a new helmet decal every three games.  The decal designs are top secret until revealed the week before they will be worn.

Helmet decals are a great way to keep the uniforms traditional, but incorporate a custom touch for a special occasion.  Rice and Tulsa made a patriotic statements with red, white and blue American flag inspired versions of their logos on the helmets.  Rice will also add a pink script "R" for breast cancer awareness in October. 

Tulsa and UCF keep their equipment stylists very busy as they may have the most uniform combinations in the league.  The Knights feature straightforward uni sets in black, gold and white and to keep things running smooth, a game day look has already been assigned for each game on the schedule this year.   The Golden Hurricane, whose blue jersey/gold pants/gold helmet uniforms look stunning on HD TV, have a designated group of players who decide the uniform look for each game.  Be on the lookout for a new helmet Tulsa has under wraps, designed by the equipment manager himself. 

If you are tuning in to a college football game or the Oscars, you could be asking yourself, "What are they wearing?"  Fashion has turned the 50-yard line into a runway of sorts, an opportunity for athletic programs to make their own style statement.  For this football fan and fashionista, I can't wait to see what's next.