Nike picked 9 teams for their Pro Combat designs and one was the Michigan State team for the UM game. It got a lot of pre-game attention and created weeks of discussion about the look and added to the excitement to the BIG game. This is a game that generates a LOT of interest for anyone from Michigan. From what I understand the MSU players had a lot of input into the design. I, for one, enjoyed the look, particularly the gloves with the Spartan design. UM surprised everyone, including the team members, by pulling out their legacy uniforms just before the game which I heard on UM sports radio fired up the players (who were probably sick of hearing of the Nike Pro Combat gear).
The teams selected for the Pro Combat gear are:
Oregon (vs LSU, Cowboys Stadium 9/3)
Georgia & Boise State (vs each other, Georgia Dome 9/3)
Michigan State (vs Michigan 10/15)
LSU (vs Auburn, 10/22)
Ohio State (vs Wisconsin 10/29)
Stanford (vs Notre Dame 11/26)
Army & Navy (vs each other 12/10)
Not related to the Pro Combat - I also went to the Michigan-Notre Dame night game which was the first in UM history so they brought out "new" retro looks, for everyone on the field including the cheerleaders with knee length skirts.
The uniforms are just for special occasions and I don't think there is anything wrong with it since it just adds excitement for the players, fans and alumni. I agree we don't want to overdo it but at least for MSU and UM it made sense.