Next up in our Ranking Series are the helmets of the Big Ten. It was no simple task trying to separate the iconic helmets of a conference full of tradition. Similar to my previous rankings, I used criteria that include the design itself, the color scheme, and, of course the permanence and level of tradition, which are unavoidable. Simply put, it doesn't matter how plain the helmet is. If a non-sports fan can tell you what program wears them, that’s worthy of consideration. Let's take a look at all 14 Big Ten helmets, from worst to first.

RANKINGS SERIES:
Ranking Big Ten football uniforms from worst to best
Ranking Big Ten logos from best to worst
Ranking Big Ten "mascot" logos from best to worst
Ranking Big Ten stadiums from best to worst

No shocker to find Maryland at the bottom. Also ranked the worst uniforms in the Big Ten, a big reason was because of the helmet. Again, the concept, in theory, sounds cool, but it just looks awful. If they could rework this in some way, maybe it works, but in a conference full of traditional helmets I wish they would lean into these throwbacks.

2 for 2 as Rutgers comes in at #13 again. I always say, nothing wrong with clean and traditional, but for a program with a history like Rutgers, this doesn't tell any stories. Rutgers needs to go one of two ways, either modern with their knight logo or, as I said before, find their roots with these awesome throwbacks.

Northwestern has an awesome helmet, but like their uniforms that got ranked #9, they wear awful alternates too often. Go back and forth between purple and white, but what in the world are these matte black medieval-themed helmets? Northwestern could probably be 5 spots higher, but instead, they wear these cat logo helmets.

While Indiana's uniforms are boring and don't convey the tradition of the school, these helmets aren't that bad. Unfortunately for Indiana, there are just a lot of classic traditional uniforms in the conference. The IU interlocking logo is unique and the helmet is simple. Still think I love these script logo helmets more.

My most controversial uniform pick was having Illinois so high at #4. Again, I have a bias toward orange and blue. While I like the change to reintroduce the white outlines, these helmets just aren't cool enough to overcome the legendary helmets in the conference. I do have them as best of the rest if you will.

Minnesota wears a lot of different helmets. Their official Twitter account held a bracket challenge with all 16 of them, and the ones pictured above were the final two. I personally prefer the class maroon and gold, but the fans chose the gold mirror as their favorite. Minnesota wears the classic design in near countless color variations. They also have alternates featuring my favorite mascot logo.

Polarizing every step of the way, Penn State's legendary traditional plain and boring helmets. Here's the deal, if it wasn't Penn State you would think they are the helmets every kid bought from their local sports store in the 90s. But they are Penn State and they are legendary. The fact I could show you a plain white helmet with a navy stripe and you would know who it is, is worth something. I don't think they'd ever consider a permanent change, but the helmets with their number font are very cool too.

I struggled to separate Nebraska and Penn State so I chose not to. Both are clean or boring depending on your preference, but also traditional and iconic. The helmets are almost identical swapping red and blue, but the Huskers feature their classic N logo.

We're deep in the territory where you are splitting hairs with these helmets. Wisconsin comes in at #6 with a helmet that has become a recent classic. The modern W helmets were introduced much later than others on this list but carry an iconic mystique nonetheless. Creating a niche in the B1G is tough to do when it comes to anything uniform related and Wisconsin managed to do it.

We have another single color helmet, single stripe, logo on the side helmet. Purdue wouldn't have always been this on the list but they have been nailing the gold and black scheme in recent years. I gave them the same #5 ranking in uniforms for that reason. Purdue also has some cool alternates including this railroad striped helmet.

Oh look another one! The template is duplicated again with Iowa's awesome helmets. The tiger hawk logo is an absolute classic. Unlike most B1G teams that feature a letter on their helmets, Iowa is able to pull off an actual logo. Iowa has one of the best helmets in the Big Ten, as long as they stay away from these alternates mimicking carbon fiber with interlocking I logos.

Michigan State wore a lot of helmets in 2021. The green helmet featuring the white spartan logo with the thick to thin helmet stripe is the main one, one of the better in all of college football. This version with a green facemask and thin stripe may be even better. They wore this all-green version against Michigan. They also wore the Block S throwback green helmet and the neon. Then, there are the white helmets. Primary inverse, script state, and white gruff.

MSU is making an identity out of the weekly uniform changes, which is fine, but a little more consistency and getting rid of the neon would get them higher on the list.

Of all the plain classic helmets in the Big Ten Conference, Ohio State's are simply the best. The shiny gray (is that just silver?) with bold scarlet and white stripes is just an all-time college football helmet. Helmet stickers come and go for many programs, but it is hard to argue anyone does them better than the Buckeyes. Some programs benefit from their alternates, but if you have these helmets why in the world would you ever wear these?

Don't make me post links to all the countless articles that agree with me that the winged helmet is the best in not only the Big Ten but all of college football. Rivals fans love to argue over Fritz Crisler and the fact Michigan didn't actually invent the design. Here's the thing, I think that makes these even cooler. Michigan took these hideous leather helmets and turned them into the most recognizable design in all of sports. Michigan dipped into alternates with these chalkboard matte style helmets, but overall the winged helmet has stayed the same for nearly a century. The satin shade matching the uniforms under the Jordan brand and replacing of all things white with blue has made these iconic helmets even better. The maize wings and three stripes leading to a meeting point on the back on Michigan's perfect dark blue. There is no better helmet in the Big Ten.

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