Breaking down the differences among the 14 helmet designs of the AdidasEra

In 2009, the Bulldogs underwent a complete rebrand, creating new logos (updated versions of which have been recently uploaded to Sportslogos.net), signing an apparel deal with Adidas, and hiring Dan Mullen as head coach.  Prior to 2009, the Bulldogs had deals with Russell Athletic (2004-2008) and Nike (-2003).  From 1996-2008, the Bulldogs only wore 5 different helmet designs, and only two of those overlapped.

Since 2009, however, they have worn 14 different helmet designs, some out of the box, some barley noticeable.  Eight of the 14 are variations of a maroon helmet with a white M-State logo.  Four include the color gold for Egg Bowl.  The final two have the oversized bulldog logo.

1-8: Maroon helmets with white M-State logo

The first two years, 2009 and 2010, the design was constant: Shiny maroon shell. Maroon facemask. White M-State logo with an immediate silver outline.

 

In 2011, the silver outline was removed, altering the design slightly.

 

 Mid-way through the 2011 season, the Bulldogs introduced their first alternate helmet since 2003.  A Matte maroon helmet with a white facemask and white M-State logo with no outline.

 

In the 2011 Music City Bowl, the Bulldogs added a spaced out silver outline to the M-State logo on the matte helmet.  This exact helmet design will be worn again in the 2014 Orange Bowl; there is a strong possibility that it may become the standard road look in 2015 along with the white DWS 100 unis.

Adidas gave the Bulldogs their first uniform redesign in 2012, with the spaced out silver outline on the M-State logo and a white ribbon stripe being applied to both the shiny and matte helmets.  These designs were worn during the 2012, 2013, and 2014 seasons.

                      

 

 In the 2013 Gator Bowl (after the 2012 season), the Bulldogs wore the matte maroon helmets without the ribbon stripe and with a silver facemask.

         

For the 2014 Season, the Bulldogs announced throwbacks to be worn for the 100th anniversary of Davis Wade stadium.  The helmet worn with the throwbacks had: a shiny maroon shell, a white facemask, no stripe, and the M-State logo with the spaced out silver outline.  The helmet was the first with a shiny finish and white facemask in the Adidas Era.  It was originally to be worn only once, but due to the popularity of the DWS 100 uniforms, it was worn 7 times, and the Bulldogs failed to lose a game wearing it.

 

9-12: Egg Bowl Helmets

The Bulldogs have worn special Egg Bowl helmets with gold each year for the past four years.

2011 was the first year of the special Egg Bowl uniforms.  The helmet that year was the regular shiny maroon shell with a maroon facemask.  The only difference was the spaced out gold outline on the M-State logo.

 

In 2012, the same treatment was given to the matte helmets.

In 2013, the initial uniform release revealed that the helmet design would be the same as in 2011.  However, a few days before the game, a chrome gold helmet was released.

 

In 2014, the Bulldogs returned to maroon helmets for the Egg Bowl, this time with chrome gold facemasks.

13-14: Oversized Bulldog Helmets

In the 2000 Independence Bowl, the Bulldogs beat the Texas A&M Aggies in the snow, wearing all-white uniforms.  In 2012, A&M's first year in the SEC, the Bulldogs wore special white and silver uniforms when they hosted Aggies.  The helmet with the snow bowl uniforms was matte white with a silver facemask and an oversized silver bulldog on both sides.

In the 2013 Texas Kickoff Classic vs Oklahoma State, the Bulldogs wore a maroon version of the snow bowl helmets.  It was worn once more during the season, vs Kentucky.

What's the moral of the story? Try, and if you fail, try again.  It's taken Adidas 6 years and 8 tries to figure it out, but it appears that they finally have with the DWS 100 unis.  Hopefully, the DWS 100 unis (or a version of them, preferably without the black outlines and pants logo) will be back as the regular uniforms next year, with the shiny helmet being worn at home and the matte helmet being worn on the road.  It's Adidas, so expect some more alternates every so often. I'm sure they'll continue to do special egg bowl uniforms every year, though I'd like to see them limited to years where the Egg Bowl is at home; the Bulldogs have lost both times wearing special Egg Bowl uniforms on the road, and it's embarrassing to wear special uniforms and lose (see: 2012 Snow Bowl.  Also Texas A&M's special unis vs MSU this year).

Mississippi State's contract with Adidas runs through 2020.