Reaction to the actual jerseys is varied but polarized. Most fans I've seen here on the blog and on The Twitter either love them or hate them. But almost universally, fans and media think Nike missed the mark by marketing this as good guys (Hokies) vs. bad guys (Terps) when Maryland will be wearing jerseys to honor the wounded warrior project.
Nike Pro Combat Uniforms and Helmets to be auctioned off (HokieSports)
"The Virginia Tech football team will wear the newly designed Nike Pro Combat uniform when they take on the Maryland Terrapins, in College Park, Maryland, Saturday, November 14, at 1:00 p.m. Nike is donating the uniforms and helmets to be auctioned off online at hokiesports.com, with all proceeds going to Herma’s Readers. Herma’s Readers is a non-profit organization that promotes the power of reading and literacy to youngsters during their formative years, grades K-3."
Hokies unveil their new look (Aaron McFarling)
"But don't worry, folks. All is well. The Nike people have changed that now with their state-of-the-art "Pro Combat" line of clothing, a name that shouldn't offend real soldiers, because we all know real soldiers love football and don't mind having their daily brushes with death juxtaposed with the image of some me-first linebacker stopping a third-and-2 and then doing the Pee Wee Herman dance."
Virginia Tech unveils new uniforms (Darryl Slater)
"You can’t fault Tech in this situation. Tech’s Corps of Cadets makes it one of the most military-friendly public schools in the nation. Moreover, Tech is one of America’s six senior military colleges; the other public school is Texas A&M. Despite Beamer and his staff picking the jerseys and pants for Saturday, Tech’s uniform campaign is Nike territory – part of the contract between the school and shoe peddler."
Let's Not Call it Combat (Kyle Tucker)
"And let me be the first to say this: I don’t fault the Hokies one bit for playing along with whatever gimmick Nike wants them to. If that company wants to turn Tech into Oregon-East (which might be the case, considering the Hokies have already worn five different jersey combinations this year) ... Frank Beamer and company will let them."
Virginia Tech's uniforms vs. Maryland (Mark Viera)
"The theme for the unveiling -- trumpeted in bold capital letters on a banner on the stage -- was "Good guys wear white." The uniforms displayed Monday afternoon were white. The Hokies will wear those white uniforms against the Terrapins, who will be wearing black-and-tan uniforms, designed by Under Armour, to honor military veterans and to promote the Wounded Warrior Project."
Virginia Tech news and notes (Nathan "Tommie Frazier" Warters)
"Say this about the Hokies – they’re one of the most fashionable teams in college football. They have their relationship with Nike to thank for that."
Nike Pro Combat Uniform Review… (College Game Balls)
"Acceptable names are: Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Virginia Tech or VT. Nike you’re embarassing yourself with putting ‘VA TECH’ on the back. And yes I know it’s just a mock up."
Another reason why the Maryland Game is a Home Game (The North End Zone)
"I'm just going to come out and say it. These uniforms are ass ugly. Between the slow fade of orange to maroon in the numbers and the fact that they suck, I'm not liking them. And what's the deal with new uniforms? Do we get new designs each year now? I mean we had the single orange sleeve unis, the orange piping on the maroon unis, the old school throwback bi-colored stripes on the shoulder unis (which were the best of the bunch) and now these. Can't we just pick a friggin' uniform and stick with it?"
Nike Owns VT: Evaluating the "Pro Combat" Line (Fight for Old DC)
"I think these uniforms are pretty cool overall. I don't like that we seem to be changing our brand every week, considering that this is now at least the sixth combination that the Hokies have worn this season. However, it's a pretty good look, and it sticks to the standard "all-white" look that we've adopted over the last several seasons. It's just a shame that no one will get to see them, because this stupid game is on ESPN360. I hate you Maryland...good thing I'll be there!"
Maryland-Virginia Tech: Shield Your Eyes (Testudo Times)
"Yes, that's a gradient on the number. And gradients on the shoulders. Gradients. It also looks like there's some weird stuff going on at the back of the knee, and the shoulder looks like it has Oregon's wing design...ugh."