florida gators football

The GOAT is gone. Alabama coach Nick Saban’s retirement rocked the college football world to kick off a year shaping up to be unlike any other in moden college football. Add the exit of the face of the sport to a list including an expanded College Football playoff, SEC, ACC and Big Ten expansion and efforts to legislate NIL. During the latest Swamp Things, Edgar and Mark discuss Saban’s impact on Florida football, his decision’s trickle-down effect on the SEC and whether Billy Napier can earn a spot on the 72-year-old’s illustrious coaching tree.

• Nick Saban/Bill Belichick (:00)
• Saban retirement’s impact on Gators (10:03)
• Recruiting questions (14:54)
• Napier still has time to recruit (19:02)
• Hard to be optimistic about Gators (26:17)
• Napier’s coaching staff (29:30)
• Lost opportunity to rally support (33:45)
• Men’s basketball (40:01)
• Jeremy Foley’s Corner (44:57)

Florida’s 2024 class didn’t turn out to be what it could have been but might have been more than it should have been after another losing season in Gainesville. A pair of 5-star prospects,  quarterback DJ Lagway and defensive lineman LJ McCray, headlined a class that settled at a respectable No. 16 in the ranking after it peaked at No. 3 prior to a 5-7 campaign. Despite losing six top-150 players since November, there is plenty to like about the group Napier and Co. signed. During the latest Swamp Things, Mark and Edgar dig in on the details of a pivotal day for the Gators and a coach squarely on the hot seat entering Year 3.

• Signing Day: More drama than ever (:00)
• They filled a lot of holes (4:16)
• Not terrible, but not great (8:25)
• Billy Napier’s thoughts (16:20)
• Coaching moves (23:51)
• Offensive line positives (26:20)
• Is Billy officially on the hot seat? (31:35)
• Only 5 signed from state of Florida (38:34)
• DJ Lagway (48:22)
• Jeremy Foley’s Corner (57:24)

The Gators will host the Razorbacks in a sold-out Swamp with their best chance for a win during a daunting November. Arkansas is winless in SEC, but not an easy out, either. Of the Hogs’ six losses, five were by one possession. This is a can’t-loss game for Florida and coach Billy Napier, given the final three games are visits to LSU and Missouri followed by a Nov. 25 home date with Florida State. During the latest Swamp Things, Edgar and Mark break down Saturday’s matchup and what lies ahead for the Gators.

• Bowl eligibility  (:00)
• Arkansas: Woeful defense and bad offense (2:31)
• Jacksonville field (3:24)
• Brutal November(13:10)
• UF's offensive line (19:50)
• Roster management (35:52)
• Black uniforms (39:54)
• Dabo Swinney rant (47:45)
• SEC football picks (50:50)

The Gators’ struggles against the Bulldogs continued as a fast start fizzled and Kirby Smart’s squad capitalized on a slew of unforced errors. UF’s third straight loss and sixth in seven meetings was another reminder of the work ahead for Billy Napier’s program. For now, the Gators will focus on the regular-season’s final month, beginning with Saturday’s visit from Arkansas. Florida looks to secure bowl eligibility and gain some confidence before a daunting three-game stretch at LSU, at Missouri and Nov. 25 at home against Florida State. During the latest Swamp Things, Mark and Edgar recall the Gators’ dark day in Jacksonville and discuss some bright spots entering November.

• Saturday was a bloodbath (2:08)
• Turning point of the game (5:18)
• Second-guesses (13:06)
• Thumbs up (18:30)
• Thumbs down (20:49)
• Game ball (23:33)
• On the spot (25:45)
• Burning question (28:40)
• Billy’s banter (32:20)
• Media moment (42:04)
• Jeremy Foley’s Corner (46:25)

Losers of two straight and five of six, the Gators are on the wrong end of their long-standing rivalry with the Bulldogs. Few expect the tide to turn Saturday against Kirby Smart’s top-ranked team, a 14.5-point favorite. The Bulldogs have looked vulnerable, yet remain formidable even without star tight end Brock Bowers. An upset would shake the college football world and supercharge Billy Napier’s rebuild. A respectable showing is imperative for a Florida program beginning to gain some traction. During the latest Swamp Things, Edgar and Mark break down the matchup, its implications and the Gators’ chances.

• Gator path to victory (:39)
• What would win mean to Gators? (11:43)
• No one expecting Florida to win (21:59)
• ESPN features UF (27:08)
• Men’s basketball (36:39)
• SEC football picks (39:47)
• Jeremy Foley’s Corner (45:10)

The Gators took care of business with a homecoming win against the Commodores. The win moved Billy Napier’s team a step closer to bowl eligibility. UF now must prove it can win away from the Swamp. South Carolina might present the Gators their best chance during the season’s second half unless Florida’s offense can become more explosive and the defense more opportunistic. During latest Swamp Things, Edgar and Mark seize the opportunity to discuss the state of the Gators.

• The final gimme on the schedule (:25)
• Graham Mertz taking a beating (3:59)
• Offensive line (8:13)
• Arlis Boardingham (11:02)
• Eugene Wilson III (14:07)
• Billy Napier’s bag of tricks (17:00)
• Coaching gaffes (30:00)
• Jeremy Foley’s Corner (44:09)

As if Florida’s season opener in Salt Lake City was not challenging enough, the Gators hit the road a day early as Hurricane Idalia made its way to the Sunshine State. Billy Napier aims to make the best of it, if not benefit from the schedule change. The 2023 Gators certainly appear to be more talented and tightly knit than Napier’s first UF squad. The roster upgrades and optimism will be tested, but the No. 14 Utes have their own concerns, beginning with star quarterback Cam Rising’s availability. During the latest Swamp Things. Mark and Edgar welcome Week 1 with open arms and discuss Thursday’s matchup - and much more as Florida athletics ramp up.

Coach Billy Napier enters his second season up to his eyeballs in a massive rebuild and facing low expectations, but he does have history on his side. Year 2’s have been good to the Gators ever since Steve Spurrier’s 1991 team produced the program’s first 10-win season. Napier’s second team at Louisiana also was a major upgrade. If these Gators are to follow suit, much will hinge on QB Graham Mertz. Word is he has won the confidence of his pass-catchers. Even so, any way you cut it 2023 is a rebuilding year. Those who want to relive the hey-day of Florida football can tune into Netflix’s four-part doc, “Swamp Kings.” Mark binged it while Edgar had issues with Episode 1, one of many topics discussed during the latest Swamp Things.

• Week 1: Thursday night game (:58)
• States with top talent raided (6:30)
• Success = ? (9:20)
• QB Graham Mertz (12:28)
• Billy Napier’s role (15:06)
• Injuries piling up (22:40)
• “Swamp Kings” (33:45)
• Jeremy Foley’s Corner (49:48)

The SEC did not do Florida any favors with the 8-game, 2024 schedule. Billy Napier’s third season in Gainesville features arguably the toughest slate of games in program history. While the Gators’ football rebuild could take a little longer now, Todd Golden pushes forward with the addition of nine new players to join Riley Kugel and Co. Meanwhile, coach Mike “Mouse” Holloway’s track and field program continued to fire on all cylinders en route to its sixth men’s outdoor national championship and 13th overall. Kevin O’Sullivan has a good chance for his second natty during UF’s long-awaited return to the College World Series. After a two-week layoff while Wesley vacationed, Edgar and Mark are back to break it all down during the latest Swamp Things.

• Brutal schedule in 2024 (:50)
• Florida committed to Napier (6:40)
• Push panic button in 2025 (10:13)
• DJ Lagway hype (13:31)
• Predictions (22:23)
• Basketball (24:56)
• Jeremy Foley’s Corner: Track & Field (29:50)
• Baseball (39:24)
• Golf (48:30)

Florida landed Michigan safety R.J. Moten, the first signing from the spring transfer portal and a Gators’ legacy. Whether anyone will follow him has spurred discussion. Napier and Co. don’t bring just anyone to Gainesville, relying on a measured, methodical approach at a time when quick decisions are the norm. Anyone who makes the cut hopes to one day reach the NFL. On Days 2 and 3 of the draft, several Gators joined first-round pick Anthony Richardson at the next level. Few Florida hitters have reached the rare air of Jac Caglianone and Skylar Wallace. The record-setting sluggers continue their assault of the school’s record book and national player of the year campaigns. During the latest Swamp Things, Edgar and Mark take the bully pulpit themselves on the eve of the Kentucky Derby.

• Kentucky Derby (2:11)
• Portal angst (7:45)
• Billy Napier evaluations (18:27)
• Scholarships awarded (25:26)
• Gators in NFL Draft (28:51)
• College football playoff schedule(44:32)
• Jeremy Foley’s Corner (50:00)

Jaden Rashada requested his release from his national letter of intent, but is the book closed on the NIL mess created during the pursuit of Florida’s top recruit? Speaking of messes, did you see the final play of the loss at Texas A&M in men’s basketball? At least there’s gymnastics, but otherwise 2023 is off on the wrong foot for the Gators. During the latest Swamp Things, Mark and Edgar don’t look to pile on but also don’t pull any punches discussing the state of Florida’s two high-profile programs.

California high schooler Jaden Rashada’s no-show when UF opened classes Monday caused an uproar, spotlighted the shortcomings of NIL and could cost Billy Napier his top recruit and only quarterback in the Gators’ 2023 class. During the latest Swamp Things, Edgar and Mark discuss what happened, how it happened and how do Napier, Scott Stricklin and the Gators recover.

Florida failed to finish with a flourish and slipped in the rankings, but Napier and Co. inked a rock-solid class addressing many of the Gators’ laundry list of needs. California high schooler Jaden Rashada headlined the nation’s No. 12 class and provides hope at quarterback. The Gators also landed some intriguing perimeter playmakers, a six-pack of DBs, several 4-star defensive lineman and a trio of O-line prospects with potential. Mark and Edgar dig in on the details, hand out grades and share childhood memories of Franco Harris during the final Swamp Things of 2022.

The Gators’ 41-24 win at Texas A&M was decisive and potentially pivotal for Napier’s first-year program. Florida wore down and shut down the depleted Aggies to silence the 12th man at electric Kyle Field. Edgar and Mark discuss the significance of Napier’s first SEC road win during the latest episode.

A 42-20 loss to top-ranked, heavily favored Georgia left the Gators 4-4 and 1-4 in the SEC for the first time since 1979. Billy Napier’s team enters the final month of his first season seeking bowl eligibility while aiming to establish a foundation for the future. Two days after the Georgia loss, Napier made a statement about expectations when he dismissed top pass rusher Brenton Cox Jr. — a big blow for a struggling defense. But the November schedule softens, beginning with Saturday’s visit to Texas A&M. The biggest date ahead is Dec. 19 Signing Day. During the latest Swamp Things, Mark and Edgar discuss pivotal two months for the Gators’ program.

• Brenton Cox Jr. dismissed from team (1:49)
• ‘It’s bad every which way you cut it’ (9:15)
• ‘Mentally tough but not tough enough’ (12:30)
• 'Gators need to learn how to win' (17:08)
• Questionable calls or playing to strengths? (19:22)
• All eyes on SEC: Georgia vs. Tennessee (27:30)
• Florida’s best case closing out season (29:15)
• Dec. 19: Early Signing Day (33:44)