Two embattled Florida coaches square off this weekend against heated rivals. Golden’s No. 20 Gators head to Florida State while Napier’s squad will host No. 21 LSU. Golden’s reception will be even more hostile than usual given accusations against him for stalking and sexual harassment. Napier returns to the Swamp off the Gators’ worst loss during his three seasons and on the heels of a vote of confidence from AD Scott Stricklin. A Florida win would position the Gators for a bowl bid, but a...

Basketball coach Todd Golden’s Title IX investigation on heels of Billy Napier’s vote of confidence was the ultimate 1-2 punch for Florida fans. Two days after AD Scott Stricklin’s endorsement of his embattled football coach, Napier’s depleted Gators suffered the worst defeat during his tenure, by 32 points at Texas. The accusations against Golden generated headlines, outrage and concerns. But UF’s third-year coach was on the sideline Monday night against Grambling State and got a warm...

UF is standing behind its coach as the Gators enter the home stretch of his third season showing positive signs. Decision-makers are banking on 2025 to finally be Billy Napier’s year. The vote of confidence comes as Florida heads to No. 5 Texas as 21.5-point underdogs with a third-string walk-on quarterback hoping to ride a solid running game, resurgent defense and two of the nation’s top specialists. During the latest Swamp Things, Edgar and Mark discuss where the Gators go from here with...

Florida went toe to toe with the Bulldogs and had a chance late in the game despite relying on  third-string quarterback and a dwindling roster. The Gators’ grit shined during a 34-20 loss and spotlighted their resilience under Billy Napier. The challenge only intensifies with a visit to No. 5 Texas ahead and walk-on QB Aidan Warner leading the way. During the latest Swamp Things, Mark and Edgar review another Gators’ near-miss, praise their effort and wonder whether Florida has the manpower...

The Gators are coming off their best performance behind their true freshman quarterback, DJ Lagway. Billy Napier’s team, led by Lagway, will need to be even better to have a chance against Kirby Smart’s No. 2 Bulldogs, who are 16.5-point favorites and winners of three straight meetings. During the latest Swamp Things, Mark and Edgar discuss the Gators' toughest test to date as they enter a daunting November. November gauntlet starts with Georgia (0:00) Reason for optimism (7:23) Reason for...

No. 21 Florida is ranked in the preseason Top 25 for the first time since 2019. Todd Golden’s team has the pieces to be the Gators best squad since the 2016-17 Gators made an Elite Eight appearance. UF opens the season Nov. 4 in Jacksonville, two days after Florida faces No. 2 Georgia in football at EverBank Stadium. During the latest Swamp Things, Edgar and Mark talk hoops, with a little football mixed in, during the Gators’ bye week. Football: Offensive line should not be overlooked...

Florida turned in its most complete performance of the Billy Napier era with a 4-touchdown rout of Kentucky. Led by a pair of true freshmen, QB DJ Lagway and RB Jadan Baugh, the Gators scored their most points under Napier during an SEC game. The defense continued its stellar play in October. Now the hard part: A November schedule featuring four Top 25 SEC teams. During the latest Swamp Things, Edgar and Mark gush about the Gators’ latest win and its impact on Napier’s future. Gators top...

Coming off a crushing loss at Tennessee, the Gators look to end the recent dominance of Kentucky. The Wildcats seek their fourth straight win against Florida for the only time since Bear Bryant was their coach from 1948-51. Mark Stoops seems to have Billy Napier’s number. Napier’s days could already be numbered at UF; a homecoming loss could prove the final straw. During the latest Swamp Things, Mark and Edgar map out the path to a victory the Gators and Napier desperately need. What...

Florida suffered a “gut punch,” in Billy Napier’s words at Tennessee, squandering a 10-0 second-half lead before falling in overtime on Rocky Top. But the Gators lost more than a game; veteran quarterback Graham Mertz suffered a season-ending injury as his college career came to an end. UF now turns to true freshman DJ Lagway full time. An inspired, improving defense will help, but the Gators are just entering the toughest stretch of the nation’s most difficult schedule. During the latest...

The Gators head to Rocky Top coming off a pair of convincing victories and now seeking a signature win in 2024. The rival Vols are 15.5-point favorites, but have not won consecutive visits from Florida since 1990 and 1992. Meanwhile, coach Billy Napier has not won consecutive road games at UF. Something's gotta give. During the latest Swamp Things, Edgar and Mark discuss the matchup ahead of Hurricane Milton’s arrival. ‘Super Bowl of the South’ (:00) Reason for optimism (3:42) Reason for...

Florida’s long-awaited matchup with UCF turned into a one-sided show of superiority by Billy Napier’s team. With their coach’s future in doubt, the Gators have now won two straight games by double digits. The schedule gets only tougher, but it’s a start. During the latest Swamp Things, Edgar and Mark reflect on the Gators performance and whether it’s a sign of things to come. Unpredictable SEC (0:00) Turning point (4:32) Thumbs up (6:29) Thumbs down (8:39) Second guess (11:57) Game ball...

The Gators and Knights will square off during the regular season for the first time since 2006, back when UF was en route to a national championship and UCF on its way to a 4-win season during its second season in Conference USA. Times have changed. Florida has fallen to the back end of the SEC and faces its latest must-win game under coach Billy Napier as the pressure continues to intensify in Year 3. Gus Malzahn’s UCF program, now in Year 2 in the Big 12, pushes to bounce back from a...

Florida took care of business with a decisive showing at Mississippi State. The two-quarterback system ignited a big day on offense, but continued defensive issues kept things interesting against the SEC bottom-feeding Bulldogs. While the performance won’t save Billy Napier, it allowed the Gators embattled coach to fight another day. During the latest Swamp Things, Mark and Edgar break down a much-needed win as Napier pushes to build some momentum. Gators came out on top at Mississippi...

Billy Napier’s team seeks a rare road win when the Gators head to Starkville to face the Bulldogs. UF is just 2-10 away from Gainesville under Napier, but is a surprising six-point favorite against the rebuilding Bulldogs under first-year coach Jeff Lebby. A Florida win entering a bye week could stabilize a chaotic situation a bit before UCF’s Oct. 5 visit to the Swamp. A Gators’ loss could spell the end of Napier. During the latest Swamp Things, Mark and Edgar discuss what Florida needs to...

It’s a matter of when not if UF decides to move on from their embattled and overmatched head coach. A 33-20 home to Texas A&M to open SEC play was more of the same for a program with seven straight losses to power conference foes and a pedestrian 10-6 on the Gators iconic home field. Napier survived to coach another week, Saturday at Mississippi State. Ron Zook’s final game as head coach was in Starkville 20 years ago. Will history repeat itself? During the latest Swamp Things, Edgar and...

Florida opens conference play looking to build on a feel-good win against Samford and prove a season-opening loss to Miami was an anomaly. The Gators have lost six straight games to power conference opponents, but have reason for optimism after true freshman quarterback DJ Lagway’s breakout performance. How Billy Napier capitalizes and handles his quarterbacks could determine his fate and his team’s chances against the rebuilding Aggies. During the latest Swamp Things, Edgar and Mark weigh...

A record-setting performance by Florida’s quarterback of the future and overmatched opponent has given Billy Napier and Gator fans hope. Lagway’s 456 yards yards shattered the UF’s single-season standard for a freshman and breathed some hope and excitement back into the Gators. During the latest Swamp Things, Mark and Edgar reflect on the beginning of the DJ Lagway Era and the Gators bounce back win against Samford. Turning point (1:40) Thumbs up: DJ Lagway (3:15) Thumbs down (5:02) Game...

Florida’s head coach is squarely on the hot seat. Another poor showing could spell the end early in his third season. The good news for Napier’s Gators is Samford visits the Swamp Saturday. It’s the only gimme on the nation’s toughest schedule and a chance for a feel-good win. Gator Nation is going to need a lot more to feel warm and fuzzy for Napier. During the latest Swamp Things, Mark and Edgar discuss yet another regime that has gone off the rails, this time at an unprecedented clip. ...

Florida’s third season under Napier could not have gotten off to a worse start than a 41-17 drubbing in the Swamp by in-state rival Miami. The Gators were beaten on both sides of the ball in every way possible. Napier’s offseason overhaul, optimism and assurances fell as flat as his offense. Talk of a much-improved defense proved to be false hopes and empty words. During the latest Swamp Things, Edgar and Mark keep it real discussing Napier’s worst loss and potentially the beginning of the...

The stakes and emotions will be high when Billy Napier’s Gators and Mario Cristobal’s Hurricanes square off Saturday in the Swamp. The game matches once-proud programs in need of a strong start to pivotal seasons. Predictions, speculation and a long offseason will soon be over. During the latest Swamp Things, Mark and Edgar chop it up one last time before talking season 2024 mercifully comes to an end. Intrigue and the unknown (:00) Reason for optimism (6:33) Reason for pessimism (11:08)...

The Gators’ season-opening visit from Miami will begin to answer the questions swirling around coach Billy Napier and his program. Besides Napier, what players and assistants are on the spot? Is Miami the biggest game of a pivotal season? What has Napier done to impress and what does he have to do to survive? During the latest Swamp Things, Edgar and Mark provide some answers. Biggest non-conference game (:00) Biggest conference game (10:00) Offensive player (12:56) Offensive...

Florida enters the final days of fall camp with competition at its highest level under Billy Napier. The Gators’ depth has helped them weather top tailback Montrell Johnson Jr.’s knee injury. The team’s leading rusher in 2022 and 2023 is on the mend, but will he be ready for Miami? Having more options also requires difficult decisions. Napier calls it a “good problem to have.” In the coming week, he and his staff will have to put together the pieces to position the Gators to beat the Canes....

The Gators are entering the throes of preseason practices as competition heats up for starting roles. Tailback was a position already locked up, but top rusher Montrell Johnson Jr. is sidelined by a minor knee injury. His timeline is TBD a little more than three weeks before a season-opening visit from Miami. The Gators’ depth and talent will be tested at a critical spot, but Billy Napier is confident he has the roster and culture to overcome obstacles. During the latest Swamp Things, Edgar...

College football season has officially arrived. Florida staged Media Day Tuesday on the eve of the opening of fall camp Wednesday. Billy Napier sent out four coaches, two of them in new roles and two staff newcomers. More than 30 new players hit the field a day later as the Gators pushed to capitalize on the many changes after a 5-7 season. During the latest Swamp Things, Mark and Edgar weigh in on how all the moves might translate to the field. Media Day: Billy Napier sets tone (:00) Fresh...