Swamp Things Florida Gators Podcast-uri

The Gators’ 24-15 loss to their rival Seminoles in the Swamp dropped UF to 5-7 and left coach Billy Napier 11-14 after two seasons in Gainesville. He is now on the clock entering a critical offseason. Napier must rebuild his staff and roster, finetune his messaging and regain the confidence of Gator Nation. During the latest Swamp Things, Edgar and…

The 2023 Gators’ goals are long gone, but Billy Napier’s squad still has plenty to play for against the rival Seminoles. UF pushes to avoid a losing season while cutting the Noles down to size and ending their College Football Playoff hopes. Two backup quarterbacks forced into action are among the many storylines Mark and Edgar address on a Thanksg…

The Gators’ last-second loss was tough to take for Billy Napier’s team. Florida had a late lead and a chance to close the deal at Columbia, but could not make the plays or avoid mental mistakes when it mattered. UF now looks to end a four-game skid at the expense of rival FSU in a sold-out Swamp. During the latest Swamp Things, Mark and Edgar break…

The chance for a winning season is fleeting for Billy Napier’s team. In fact, finishing above .500 is a likely pipe dream at this point. A visit to surging and surprising Mizzou poses challenges on multiple fronts from the Tigers’ balanced attack, a defense with talent at all three levels, a clutch placekicker and a November chill with temperatures…

The Gators were left to lick their wounds and pick up the pieces after failing to keep up in a shootout at Tiger Stadium. Billy Napier’s squad showed fight and offensive spark against LSU, but UF’s reeling defense could not keep up with Daniels as he supercharged his Heisman campaign. Edgar and Mark unpack the LSU loss during the latest Swamp Thing…

Billy Napier’s team pushes to bounce back from a disheartening home loss to Arkansas with an upset win under the lights at LSU. The Gators are 14.5-point underdogs facing the SEC’s top offense and toughest environment - a night game in Tiger Stadium. Star quarterback Jayden Daniels (concussion) is expected to play and continue his Heisman Trophy ca…

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…

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 f…

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 Satu…

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 col…

Florida has some momentum coming off a bye week while Billy Napier’s beleaguered offense showed promise during wins against Vanderbilt and South Carolina. The Gators now prepare for a massive step up against their rival Bulldogs, winners of 24 straight including a pair of one-sided wins against UF. Kirby Smart’s team will be without star tight end …

The Gators beat a team they were supposed to beat for a much-needed win heading into the bye week. Billy Napier’s offense was aggressive to the final minute, erasing a 10-point deficit to stun South Carolina. The question is whether it’s a sign of things to come or a career day for Graham Mertz against the SEC’s worst pass defense. An Oct. 28 date …

Florida heads to South Carolina looking for a rare road win under Billy Napier, whose Gators are 1-7 away from Gainesville. The Gamecocks can be tough to beat at underrated Williams-Brice Stadium, but Shane Beamer’s squad has struggled on both sides of the ball and appears vulnerable. Quarterback Graham Mertz and Co. look to capitalize on the SEC’s…

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 def…

The Gators look to put the Kentucky loss behind them in the comfy confines of Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. A homecoming visit from the struggling Commodores could be the perfect antidote for a team nursing key injuries and bruised confidence. Vanderbilt’s 31-24 upset win in 2022 was the low point of Billy Napier’s debut season at UF. The Gators are 18…

The No. 22 Gators hit the road to Kentucky and ran into the Big Blue Wall during the most troubling performance during Napier’s two seasons. Nothing went right during the Gators’ 33-14 loss, raising continued concerns with Napier’s offense and UF’s special teams while also spotlighting deficiencies on a much-improved defense. The performance has ma…

Following three wins at home, the No. 22 Gators hit the road, where Billy Napier’s teams are 1-6 — 1-3 in SEC play. Florida used to dominate the Wildcats, but the series has become a dogfight. UF now aims to avoid its first three-game losing streak in the series since Bear Bryant coached Kentucky more than 60 years ago. During the latest Swamp Thin…

The Gators slipped by Charlotte 22-7 in the Swamp, struggling to build on their win against Tennessee and ride a wave of momentum into a two-month stretch of SEC play. Graham Mertz, Ricky Pearsall, Trey Smack and a suffocating defense gave fans something to cheer. But the overall performance continued to raise red flags about special teams, play-ca…

The No. 25 Gators host Charlotte Saturday in the Swamp during the final gimme on the schedule. Billy Napier has not seen the level of focus and intensity he’d hoped following UF’s upset of Tennessee, though he’s not entirely surprised. Even human nature will not be enough for the Gators to stumble against the 49ers, a 28-point underdog coming to Ga…

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 inspir…

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…

Coach Billy Napier respects the Gators’ rivals, but has yet to beat any of them. UF’s SEC opener against the No. 11 Vols is his first chance in 2023 after going 0-4 during his first season in Gainesville. The Gators rebounded from the Utah loss to physically dominate overmatched McNeese. During the latest Swamp Things, Edgar and Mark examine what t…

A visit from McNeese comes at the perfect time as coach Billy Napier’s Gators push to snap a four-game losing streak dating to 2022. Coming off a sloppy season-opening loss at Utah, UF cannot settle for anything less than a dominant, mistake-free effort against a Cowboys’ squad coming off a lopsided home loss to Tarleton State. But games against ov…

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, …

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…

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.…

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…

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 Indi…

Florida’s fall camp entered Week 2 in pull pads and with a full plate. Billy Napier targeted the team’s first scrimmage, set for Aug. 10, as he name’s a starting quarterback - or is it, names Graham Mertz the starting quarterback? Mertz, a 22, fifth-year player, brings experience and leadership to a team with dozens of fresh faces, including 20 fir…

Florida kicked off Billy Napier’s second fall camp as the Gators prepare for the Aug. 31 opener at Utah. The Utes are the reigning champions of the Pac-12, but time will tell what remains of the conference following Oregon and Washington’s jump to the Big Ten amid unceasing realignment. The Gators suffered an early setback when promising sophomore …

Florida’s second season under Billy Napier will not be much better than the first once, at least according to SEC media. The Gators were picked to finish fifth in the East division a season after going 3-5 in league play in Napier’s debut. Florida also did not place anyone on the first or second All-SEC teams. The lack of respect arrived on Billy’s…

SEC Media Days begin Monday, marking the unofficial start of the college football season. Florida coach Billy Napier will speak Wednesday. Surprisingly, quarterback Graham Mertz won’t. Mertz hopes he gets this kind of protection from his offensive line in 2023. While football season remains more than six weeks away, the college baseball season just…

UF announced its search began for an architectural firm to oversee a complete renovation of Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. AD Scott Stricklin expects the project to impact every aspect of the iconic venue opened in 1930 as Florida Field and now better known as the Swamp. Mark’s No. 1 item on the to-do list might surprise listeners. During the latest Swa…

Florida was positioned to end the 2022-23 athletic season with the Gators’ third national title in June. Instead, coach Kevin O’Sullivan’s baseball team collapsed during the deciding game in the College World Series against LSU. While one game does not make a season, the loss ended a calendar year that left a lot to be desired in Gainesville. Edgar…

In the span of 72 hours, the Gators responded to QB commit Austin Simmons’ flip to Ole Miss with a tidal wave of recruiting success. When the dust settled, Billy Napier’s 2024 class had risen more than a dozen spots to sit No. 3 and the Gators’ second-year coach had his biggest wave of momentum to date. The key now is to keep the good times rolling…

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, …

The SEC decided to punt on a scheduling decision and keep an 8-game conference slate for at least one more year. The decision allows the Gators to keep a much-anticipated non-conference schedule in 2024. Beyond that remains a mystery as Florida football looks to rejoin the nation’s elite. Coach Billy Napier said he faces ‘a great challenge’ as he r…

Florida’s walk-off, extra-inning win against Alabama was college baseball at its best and began the Gators’ quest for their first SEC Tournament title since 2015. Earlier in the day, Florida and Georgia agreed to extend their contract to play in Jacksonville through 2025 as the rivals debate the long-term future of their annual game. Next week in D…

Mark spent a few days at the ACC Spring Meeting where the SEC’s superiority became even clearer. Rival Florida State and its brethren might never close the ever-growing financial gap, but the Seminoles are on the rise again in football. It’s easy to forget Mike Norvell was in fans’ crosshairs not long ago. Billy Napier finds himself in a similar po…

The Gators-Bulldogs rivalry could be forced to play elsewhere because of the upcoming renovation of Jacksonville’s TIAA Bank Field. The teams have met once on each other’s campus since the longstanding series began in 1933. Each time, Steve Spurrier’s Fun n’ Gun scored 52 points during wins in 1994-95. But the tables have turned on the longstanding…

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…

The Indianapolis Colts selected the former Florida quarterback No. 4 overall in the NFL draft. Few were surprised someone was willing to bet on Richardson’s tremendous talent and upside. Most are mixed on whether he will fulfill his promise. Either way, it was a memorable and profitable night for the 20-year-old and a big one for Gainesville, where…

The no-show by Florida’s offense during the spring game spurred questions about the direction of Billy Napier’s attack. Is the criticism unfair or is the Gators’ coach taking on too much responsibility? Meanwhile, Todd Golden’s squad is shaping up to be bigger and more physical a season after getting pushed around. No one has gotten the best of Flo…

Was the annual Orange and Blue game a bad night for Billy Napier’s offense or a sign of things to come for Austin Armstrong’s defense? Perhaps it was a little bit of both. Whatever the case, the lowest-scoring spring game on record raised eyebrows and questions about Florida’s attack and offered hope for an embattled D. Mark and Edgar break it down…

Spring practice enters the final week but the quarterback competition might be just beginning. Wisconsin transfer Graham Mertz would appear to have the inside track, but Jack Miller III is in the mix, according to Billy Napier. Coaches also are wise not to tip their hand in the age of the transfer portal. Both basketball programs are up to their ey…

Former Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson drew a crowd at the Pro Day, where he showcased his arm strength and athleticism for all 32 NFL teams. While Richardson’s draft position is one of the draft’s storylines, the Gators move forward during spring practices. Coach Billy Napier’s Year 2 fortunes rest on a robust run game and improved play up …

The NCAA Tournament continues to deliver drama, upsets and hope for programs on the outside looking in. After ending their season with an NIT no-show against UCF, the Gators face a roster makeover and push to become one of the next quick turnarounds in college basketball. Meanwhile, Florida women’s team made the most of its WNIT opportunity and is …

The NCAA Tournament begins this week, but Florida is on the outside looking in and bound for the NIT. What do Todd Golden and Kelly Rae Finley’s teams stand to gain from hosting games lacking fan appeal and long-term impact? Meanwhile, the Big Dance is sure to deliver drama, upsets and memories. Mark and Edgar share some favorites from decades of w…

Former Florida QB Anthony Richardson was expected to steal the show at the NFL Scouting Combine, but might have even surpassed expectations. Will Richardon’s record-setting performance seduce an NFL team into the ultimate risk-reward move? Almost as predictable is Alabama coach Nick Saban complaining about something. This time it’s the Crimson Tide…

Florida kicks off its second spring practice under Billy Napier this weekend. During 14 practices until the April 18 spring game, all eyes will be transfer QB Graham Mertz, the retooled O-line and a defense coming off a historically bad season and welcoming new, 29-year-old coordinator Austin Armstrong. While spring practices have Gator Nation’s at…