Analyzing Michigan Football’s success with each uniform combo since 2021

For the last four seasons, Michigan has broken away from tradition by wearing five different uniform combinations in its games, but how has the team fared with each look? Today, we’ll break down how successful the team has been with each uni combo:

Since 2021, the Michigan Wolverines football team began a run of success that featured conference titles, wins over Ohio State, and trips to the College Football Playoff. That 2021 season represented a huge step forward for the program where Jim Harbaugh’s teams went from being considered “pretty good” to being elite.

The winning wasn’t the only thing that changed in 2021. That also marked the first season Michigan featured different uniform combinations in its games, breaking away from the traditional maize and blue combination at home and the all white unis on the road. In the 56 games since the start of 2021, Michigan has used five different combinations in its games.

Is there really truth to the idea of, “look good, play good,” though? Today, we’re going to find out.

Blue Jerseys with Maize Pants

Record: 20-2; Notable Games: 2022 loss to TCU, 2023 win over Alabama, 2024 win over Alabama

Unsurprisingly, the classic home look is the uniform Michigan has worn the most the last four years. The team has been hugely successful in doing so, winning just over 90 percent of those games. However, it should be noted Michigan has worn these for home games, traditionally against lesser Big Ten and non-conference opponents — games we’d expect to be won.

This was the uniform for one of the darker moments of the last four years, the Fiesta Bowl loss to TCU in 2022 which Michigan entered as a 7.5-point favorite. However, it was also the combination for one of the best moments in recent memory, as Michigan wore this look with the iconic shoulder patches in the Rose Bowl against Alabama en route to a national championship.

Blue Jerseys with Blue Pants

Record: 12-2; Notable games: 2021 wins over Washington and Ohio State, 2022 win over Penn State, 2023 wins over Washington and Ohio State

The “big game blues” have become a fan favorite ever since they were debuted against Washington in 2021. Since then, Michigan has broken these out at home against their best opponents, including matchups with Ohio State in 2021 and 2023. The uniform was also what Michigan chose to go with in its National Championship victory over Washington. The uniform has been coordinated with crowd themes at Michigan Stadium as well, as the team has worn it for “Maize Out,” a “Blue Out” in 2022, and the “Stripe Out” in 2024.

Winning 12-of-14 against top notch opponents is nothing to scoff at with the all-blue look, but it hasn’t been without some poor performances as well. The Wolverines wore this combination in its big loss to Georgia in the Orange Bowl in 2021, as well as its loss to Texas this past season.

White Jerseys with White Pants

Record: 7-0; Notable games: 2022 win over Ohio State, 2023 win over Iowa, 2024 win over Ohio State

Michigan’s traditional road look is the only uniform it hasn’t lost a game in since 2021. It’s my personal favorite, and its hard to argue with the results, especially this past season at Ohio State as three-touchdown underdogs.

Speaking of Ohio State, Michigan wore these uniforms in 2022 for its first win in Columbus since 2000, a big win that helped Michigan secure a 12-0 regular season. Additionally, Michigan featured these uniforms in the Big Ten Championship against Iowa and for program win No. 1,000 over Maryland in 2023.

White Jerseys with Blue Pants

Record: 5-2; Notable games: 2021 win over Iowa, 2022 win over Iowa, 2023 win over Michigan State

The combination was on its way to staying undefeated until Michigan lost games against Illinois and Indiana in 2024. The white and blue look was doing quite well up until this past season, albeit not against the toughest of opponents.

Michigan first broke out this combination against Wisconsin in 2021 and also wore it in the Big Ten Championship against Iowa that same year. They were also part of a 49-0 thumping of Michigan State during the 2023 season. For now, though, there’s some bad energy associated with this combination until Michigan is able to snap its two-game losing streak in it.

White Jerseys with Maize Pants

Record: 4-2; Notable games: 2021 loss to Michigan State, 2021 win over Penn State, 2023 win over Penn State

This combo has been featured the least of Michigan’s uniforms over the last four seasons. Perhaps for good reason, as Michigan lost its first game wearing it, a 37-33 heartbreaker against Michigan State back in 2021. The white and maize were also featured in Michigan’s loss to Washington last year.

However, the Wolverines have worn this look for important matchups with Penn State in 2021 and 2023. Michigan famously defeated the Nittany Lions in 2023 without Jim Harbaugh and by running the ball 32 consecutive times to close the game. But with just a 66.6 winning percentage, it’s fair to wonder if Michigan should continue to tempt fate with the white and maize against non-Penn State opponents.