ESPN College Football

Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg

Gene Smith's statement sounded more like an apology than a joyful declaration. The Ohio State athletic director, acutely aware of what tradition means to Buckeye Nation, twice mentioned that the throwback uniforms the football team will wear Nov. 21 at Michigan will be a one-time-only event.

Ohio State will honor its 1954 national championship team by donning the throwback threads, which are part of Nike's Rivalry uniform program. It marks the first time in recent memory that the Buckeyes will wear an alternate uniform in a game.

A Michigan team spokesman told me Wednesday night that he wasn't aware of any plans for the Wolverines to wear throwback uniforms. But that could certainly change.

“Our coaches and players were excited to see the different elements Nike presented in the prototype designs and samples," Smith's statement reads. "The uniform elements are still in production, and we are extremely eager to see the finished product when it arrives. ... Again, this is a one-time opportunity to honor a great championship team. We have no plans to make any changes to the traditional Buckeye uniform for the foreseeable future."

Ohio State fans can get their first look at the uniforms Nov. 15 on the school's athletics Web site.

It will be interesting to see how this goes over with Buckeyes fans. Some are already calling it a money grab (which it is, to a large degree) and celebrating that it will only happen once.

Former Ohio State fullback Brandon Smith posted a picture on his Twitter page of what the jerseys will look like. Atlanta Falcons, anyone?

I'm not against alternate jerseys or throwback jerseys, but you have to be careful when messing with tradition. Ohio State isn't Oregon or Cal. And you can bet if the Buckeyes lose to Michigan for the first time since 2004, many will blame it on the unis.