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By virtually any measure, Billy Napier entered 2024 squarely on the hot seat after consecutive losing seasons and a substandard brand of football. Florida AD Scott Stricklin disagrees and passionately backs the coach he hired to turn around the Gators. Will Stricklin be the one who ultimately decides Napier’s fate? During the latest Swamp Things, Mark and Edgar agree Stricklin has to stand by his man but wonder whether Napier’s approach to the transfer portal relative to the Gators’ competition is the latest red flag.

• Scott Stricklin on Billy Napier (:00)
• Adjusting coaching staff (8:05)
• Need to bring in better talent (10:00)
• Rumors flying about Stricklin (18:36)
• Using the portal (23:57)
• Men’s basketball (29:40)
• Jeremy Foley’s Corner (39:47)

Florida’s overtime loss to Arkansas reverberated 48 hours later. Napier was eager to move on, even if questions remained about the Gators continued special teams miscues, game management and lost opportunity. There is no avoiding what’s next: a three-game meat grinder beginning with Saturday’s visit to Tiger Stadium. With a losing season a distinct possibility, Mark and Edgar chop it up during the latest Swamp Things.

• Turning point of game (2:22)
• Thumbs up (5:30)
• Thumbs down (10:45)
• Second-guess (16:00)
• Game balls (19:43)
• Biggest concern (23:12)
• On the spot (27:00)
• Billy’s banter (31:03)
• Locker room view (36:57)
• Jeremy Foley’s Corner (39:53)

UF’s resounding win against No. 11 Tennessee in a sold-out Swamp reasserted the Gators’ dominance against the Vols and showcased one of college football’s best home-field advantages. Transfer quarterback Graham Mertz continued to capitalize on his second chance, Trevor Etienne exhibited star potential and a retooled defense turned in another inspired effort under Austin Armstrong. The effort was far from flawless, but was a major step for an embattled coach and a group of players with something to prove. During the latest Swamp Things, Edgar and Mark recall a memorable night and discuss how the Gators build on it.

• Gator suspensions (:17)
• Billy Napier: ‘It validates your plan’ (4:57)
• Upcoming games / expectations (12:00)
• The Swamp showed up in force (19:55)
• Identifying talent / leadership (28:00)
• Gushing about Graham Mertz (35:20)
• Special teams needs help (38:57)
• Jeremy Foley’s Corner: Volleyball (45:50)

The Gators open conference play with a chance to supercharge their season, fast track Billy Napier’s rebuild and get off the schneid in rivalry games. A sold-out Swamp will be ready, waiting and wild as Vols coach Josh Heupel and his high-octane attack comes to town. The underdog Gators aim to ride the energy, a much-improved defense and a balanced attack to an upset of a Tennessee team with much to prove itself. During the latest Swamp Things, Mark and Edgar discuss the Gators’ chances, the game’s importance for Napier and the Vols’ place in the SEC pecking order.

• Expect a close game (:25)
• Billy Napier needs to win big games (2:48)
• Tennessee is beatable (10:05)
• Unbelievable test for UF defense (14:00)
• Will offense show up? (16:57)
• Sellout at The Swamp (21:15)
• The line (25:39)
• Jeremy Foley’s Corner: Volleyball (32:06)
• Picking SEC games (35:50)

Billy Napier took accountability for last week’s season-opening flop at Utah. But just one game into Year 2 Florida’s coach finds himself facing questions about his play calling, special teams approach and the Gators’ continued mental errors. Week 1 overreaction, perhaps, but Napier is now 6-8 and behind the 8-ball. During the latest Swamp Things, Mark serves as the voice of reason while Edgar can’t help but wonder where this season and program are headed after seeing one too many UF coaches come and go.

• '5-alarm fire on his hands’ (:24)
• Napier on losing (6:20)
• Play calling is predictable (13:30)
• Turning the screws to Napier (18:55)
• Special teams debacle (25:00)
• ‘Things gotta change’ (30:12)
• Positive: Defense (35:39)
• 'Behind the eight ball’ (47:07)
• Jeremy Foley’s Corner (49:26)

Florida’s 24-11 season-opening loss at Utah was a fiasco on every level, leaving fans disappointed, disillusioned, even disgusted. More than eight months since a 30-3 loss to Oregon State in the Las Vegas Bowl, the Gators traveled more than 2,000 miles west and delivered a dud of a performance. UF committed ill-timed, head-scratching penalties, was beaten at the line of scrimmage and completely outcoached  by a veteran Utah staff. Rather than open 2023 with an overmatched opponent at home, the Gators boldly went on the road to a tough environment to face a championship program. Napier, his staff and players aim to learn from their mistakes and be better for the experience during the next three months. During the latest Swamp Things, Edgar and Mark agree all hope certainly is not lost but a lot has to change or UF is on pace for three consecutive losing seasons for the first time since the 1950s.

• ‘Disappointed, disillusioned, disgusted’ (:30)
• ‘Didn’t understand the game plan’ (3:16)
• A glimmer of a rally? (7:50)
• Billy Napier’s play calling (9:53)
• ‘There’s no gimmes after that game’ (18:15)
• Hunkering down for a long season (25:43)
• Jeremy Foley’s Corner: Volleyball (32:20)

New starting quarterback Graham Mertz spoke for the first time since the spring game and a few days after Billy Napier named him starting quarterback. Mertz said all the right things. The question is whether he can make all the right moves for the Gators. Former UF QB Anthony Richardson has made enough of them to earn the starting job with the Indianapolis Colts. It’s a testament to Richardson’s talent and potential, but this will be a baptism by fire. Back in Gainesville, Mark and Edgar are fired up during the latest Swamp Things as the Gators wrap up fall camp and the season opener at Utah is two weeks away.

Worst kept secret: QB Graham Mertz (:38)

QBs Jack Miller, Max Brown & Micah Leon (9:45)

Mertz & Wisconsin program (18:45)

Linebacker Jack Pyburn (24:24)

Areas of concern: Tight end and safety (26:30)

Positives (33:12)

Anthony Richardson in NFL (37:57)

Netflix documentary: ‘Swamp Kings’ (43:20)

New recruits (53:20)

Military salute (1:03)

Jeremy Foley’s Corner: Volleyball (59:11)