By Luke Zimmermann on Oct 3, 2015,
The worst kept secret in recent Ohio State history is officially out in the open.
Nike announced on Saturday morning officially that Urban Meyer's Ohio State Buckeyes would be wearing black alternate jerseys against Penn State during the Oct. 17 primetime game against the Nittany Lions.
The blackout alternates represent the first non-scarlet or white predominant uniforms Ohio State will have donned in the modern era and the first time OSU's worn black jerseys.
The new look is black from head-to-toe other than scarlet stripes, numbers, and the athletic O, all of which are accented with gray.
While the jerseys are sure to be contentious amongst traditionalists, they've been a long time coming. A black type jersey first surfaced last October in a digital tour of Urban Meyer's office when they were rumored for the 2014 home finale against Michigan. Though the final design proved to be similar to the ones Ohio State will actually wear thisseason, the gray numbers will have to remain in those mockups alone.
Several weeks before this season started, Buckeyes wide receivers coach Zach Smithleaked an Instagram photo of a black helmet, but like the mockups in Urban Meyer's office, though similar (the stripe on the "Zone 6" helmet was wider, similar to the Rivalry uniforms Ohio State sported in the 2013 and 2014 seasons), weren't quite in line with the final product the Buckeyes will be sporting against the Nittany Lions.
From player's families to just about every Ohio State premium and fan site alike on the web, somebody at just about every outlet had someone with some kind of insight as to what the jerseys would look like or more info surrounding them. A source even told Land-Grant Holy Land earlier in the football season that Gene Smith spoke in near full transparency to his class at Ohio State about the black uniforms and accompanying black merchandise that would come out along with it. And now we know.
And regardless of what you think about the final design and accompanying gear, at least these fashion jerseys didn't ultimately prove to be anything similar to what the Buckeyes will be rocking.
Here's a closer look at the alternate uniforms, including the accompanying black Ohio State gear, available at select retailers today:
