2006 - Year of the Gators. 2007 - Year of the Huskers?

A number of amazing coincidences can be found between the 2006 Gators and the 2007 Huskers.

· Florida won national titles in 1996 and 2006.
· Nebraska won the national title in 1997 and heads into 2007 with high expectations.

· Florida won 81 games over the 10-year period between national titles.
· Nebraska has won 81 games in the 10-year period between its last national title and the 2007 season.

· Florida had three coaches over this 10-year period (Steve Spurrier, Ron Zook, Urban Meyer).
· Nebraska has had three coaches over this 10-year period (Tom Osborne, Frank Solich, Bill Callahan).

· Ron Zook was fired from Florida after struggling to replace a legend.
· Frank Solich was fired from Nebraska after struggling to replace a legend.

· Ron Zook has since taken the head coaching job with a team in the Midwest
· Frank Solich has since taken the head coaching job with a team in the Midwest.

· Urban Meyer brought with him a new offensive system, and many wondered if this style would work at Florida.
· Bill Callahan brought with him a new offensive system, and many wondered if this style would work at Nebraska.

· In 2006 Florida defensive coordinator Charlie Strong was entering his fourth season at that position.
· In 2007 Nebraska defensive coordinator Kevin Cosgrove will be entering his fourth season at that position.

· In 2006 Florida was coming off its only 9-win season over the last three years.
· In 2007 Nebraska will be coming of its only 9-win season over the last three years.

· In 2006 Florida played four of its first five games at home.
· In 2007 Nebraska will play four of its first five games at home.

· In 2006 Florida played 8 teams that made appearances in bowls in 2005.
· In 2007 Nebraska will play 8 teams that made appearances in bowls in 2006.

· In 2006 Florida returned 12/22 starters.
· In 2007 Nebraska will return 12/22 starters.

· In 2006 Florida returned its leader in rushing, receiving, punting, punt returns and kickoff returns.
· In 2007 Nebraska will return its leader in rushing, receiving, punting, punt returns and kickoff returns.

· In 2006 Florida returned five of its top eight leaders in tackles.
· In 2007 Nebraska will return five of its top eight leaders in tackles.

· Lincoln had a secretary named Kennedy. Kennedy had…oops got carried away.

Bonus coincidence:
· In 1997, Nebraska won its national title while led by a senior quarterback who had transferred from a Pac-10 school.
· In 2007, Nebraska will be led by a senior quarterback who transferred from a Pac-10 school.