'96 Vs '06

'96 COACH
STEVE SPURRIER

SKINNY
The coach by which all future Florida coaches will be measured. Loved by Gators, loathed by opponents, Spurrier always knew which buttons to push, both on the field and off it. His go-for-the-throat air attack—the Fun 'n' Gun—altered the way football was played in the SEC in the '90s. During his 12 seasons with Florida, Spurrier's teams won six outright SEC titles, and his record was 122-27-1 (.817). This 12-1 team, one that outscored opponents 611-221, is the team for which he'll always be remembered in Gainsville.

EDGE '96
Meyer vs. Spurrier? In two meetings since Spurrier took the job at South Carolina, they're 1?1. With similar championship talent, give the edge to Spurrier—for now.

'06 COACH
URBAN MEYER

SKINNY:
As successful as Florida was during Spurrier's first two seasons (19?4, .826), Meyer has done better, improving to 22?4 (.846) with the national title victory over Ohio State. And, truth is, he did it without running his preferred offense. Leak was never comfortable running a true spread offense, so Meyer adapted his attack to fit Leak's strengths. He also centered the rushing game around a freshman backup quarterback (Tebow) and a freshman receiver (Harvin). Even if it was trying at times. That's the sign of a championship coach.