Ohio State to Debut “Heritage Stripes” Throwback Uniforms for National Championship

Ohio State football has officially announced that the team will wear the road version of its “Heritage Stripes” throwback uniforms in the College Football Playoff National Championship Game against Notre Dame on January 20. This confirms reports earlier in the week regarding their uniform choice.

The “Heritage Stripes” uniforms were introduced as a tribute to the 1968 national championship team. Ohio State first wore this design during their historic run to the inaugural College Football Playoff National Championship. They sported the road version in the 2015 Sugar Bowl victory over Alabama and the home version in their title game win against Oregon.

These uniforms pair Ohio State’s iconic silver helmets with scarlet or white jerseys featuring modified Northwestern stripes on the sleeves and traditional silver pants. This design differs from the standard Buckeye uniforms, which feature stripes that align with the helmet and pants.

The “Heritage Stripes” were prominently used in Ohio State’s uniforms during the periods of 1944–56, 1967–78, and 1988–2005, including championship seasons in 1954, 1968, 1970, and 2002. However, the team switched to the current striping pattern in 2006 due to Nike’s new uniform template, which limited sleeve space.

Since their introduction, the throwback uniforms have been a staple for Ohio State in playoff games. The Buckeyes have worn the road version in a mix of results, including a loss to Clemson in the 2016 Fiesta Bowl, a win over Clemson in the 2021 Sugar Bowl, a loss to Alabama in the 2021 national championship, and a loss to Georgia in the 2022 Peach Bowl. Their record in the road version stands at 2–3. Meanwhile, the home version has been used less frequently in playoff games, with a 1–1 record, including a loss to Clemson in the 2019 Fiesta Bowl.

Notably, the uniforms underwent minor updates in recent years. In 2020, the Block “O” on the collar was replaced with the current primary logo. Additionally, the black TV numbers on the home version were swapped for white, reflecting an effort to represent multiple eras of Buckeye football rather than exclusively the 1968 team. This broader representation is the inspiration behind the “Heritage Stripes” name.

Ohio State Buckeyes Heritage Stripe 2025 CFP Final Football Jersey

Surprising many fans, Ohio State donned their scarlet “Color Rush” uniforms in their first-round playoff victory over Tennessee on December 21. This decision stemmed from Nike’s shift away from producing new uniforms for all playoff participants following the playoff expansion from four to 12 teams. Now, only teams reaching the national championship game receive new uniforms, along with the prestigious gold Diamond Quest Nike Swoosh.

As a result, Ohio State wore their standard road uniforms in the Rose Bowl win over Oregon on January 1 and their standard home uniforms in the Cotton Bowl win over Texas on January 10. However, fans can expect a return to the iconic “Heritage Stripes” for the national championship showdown against Notre Dame.