 This victory tied Nebraska with Missouri for first in the Big 12 North, although Missouri represented the division in the conference championship game because of its tie-breaking, head-to-head win over the Huskers.The season started with head coach Tommy Bowden, who resigned six games into his tenth season with a 3-3 record in 2008.The interim head coach Dabo Swinney took over the team and had a 4-2 record going into the Gator Bowl.