Both teams were coming off mediocre seasons (6-6 in 2005, and 5-7 in 2023).

Both teams finished 11-2, with all the losses being heartbreakers that could have gone the other way. The only difference was that the losses in 2006 were early in the season, and in 2024 they were late in the season.

Both teams got a major road victory early in the season against an eventual 11-win team in the Dallas-Fort Worth area (TCU in 2006, SMU in 2024).

Both teams won in RES thanks to a clutch score in the final seconds of the game.

Both teams dominated a longtime Pac-10/12 team that was all flash in their bowl game. Oregon had the wacky uniforms and neon green helmets in 2006, and Colorado has Neon Deion in 2024.

Of course, there are some differences. The 2006 team was more dominant and didn’t have as many close calls, but the 2024 team played a much tougher schedule.