Swamp Things: A podcast about the Florida Gators

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:...

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 Ye...

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...

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...

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 St...

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...

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 w...

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...

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, E...

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...

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-conferen...

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,...

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 confi...

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 o...

Florida football practice opens July 31 during a pivotal Year 3 for Billy Napier. Expectations rarely have been this low, but the Gators are eager to prove nay-sayers wrong. Meanwhile, the Paris Olympics begin with a record 40 athletes with UF ties at the Games. During the latest Swamp Things, Edgar and Mark discuss whether the Gators' high hopes ring true or are fool's gold. Gators: Doom and gloo...

The 2024 football season unofficially began at SEC Media Days. Billy Napier and the Gators were optimistic and stuck to the script amid a sea of skeptics. But the week's big surprise was the sudden retirement of UF president Ben Sasse because of his wife's health issues. The native of Nebraska quickly became an ardent Gators fan and was sure to have a say in Napier's future. During the latest Swam...

Florida's slow progress on the recruiting trail picked up pace with the commitment of West Broward receiver Joshua Moore, who credited DJ Lagway with luring him to Gainesville. Billy Napier does not shun a helping hand, positioning the Gators to capitalize on the NCAA ruling to allow analysts to coach the field. Meanwhile, the Florida-Georgia game will have to find a home in 2026-27, but it won't...

Home run king Jac Caglianone's place in UF history is secure after he led the Gators' unexpected postseason run. Does Cags belong on Mark and Edgar's Gators' Mt. Rushmore? Who makes their top 10? Speaking of lists: what are the top-5 highs and lows of 2023-24. During the latest Swamp Things, Edgar and Mark lean on their 20-plus years around the program to present their cases. Gators in College Wor...

The Gators' baseball team is the last UF program still going after an improbable run to the College World Series. Along the way, Jac Caglianone has left no doubt he's the program's greatest slugger — and among the best all time. Mike Holloway's place in the coach pantheon was already secure, yet Florida's three-peat in men's track and field and Parker Valby's dominance furthered the Gators' reputa...

Last week's SEC Spring Meetings in Destin painted a challenging financial future, even for a UF program among the nation's healthiest and wealthiest. Coach Billy Napier will likely have to adjust his master plan due to the inevitable revenue increases and cost-cutting measures spurred by the House v. NCAA $2.77 billion settlement. Amid important discussions and decisions about what's to come, June...

Football coach Billy Napier and UF's administration thought they finally could move on from former signee Jaden Rashada and his representatives. Not so fast. On Tuesday, the 20-year-old sophomore already with this third school filed a lawsuit against Napier, mega-booster Hugh Hathcock and others seeking more than $10 million in damages. The suit might be a frivolous money grab, but places a negati...

It's that time of year for the Gators, when Florida's Olympic sports seize center stage. Parker Valby put on a show in the 5,000 at SEC track and field championships, lacrosse is Final Four bound, men's golf pushes to defend its 2023 national title and softball is poised for another deep postseason run. Baseball is the only struggling spring sport, but Jac Caglianone is giving fans something to ce...

Basketball coach Todd Golden's roster overhaul picked up the pace, highlighted by the arrival of  FAU guard Alijah Martin. Billy Napier's first week in the transfer portal was quieter, but time remains for the Gators to fill some gaps. The real drama involved former quarterback recruit Jaden Rashada, who is on the move again. Meanwhile, slugger Jac Caglione is moving up the school's all-time home...

Florida's spring game was an improvement on 2023 and gave fans their first look at Billy Napier's 2024 team. Those on hand left with reasons for optimism entering the offseason of a pivotal Year 3. Meanwhile, Todd Golden picked up his first commit, Chattanooga transfer Sam Alexis of Apopka, as he restocks UF's roster during a busy offseason. During the latest Swamp Things, Mark and Edgar share the...

Florida's spring game is set for Saturday in the Swamp. Fans get their first chance to see the Gators in action following a 5-7 season and sweeping offseason changes to Billy Napier's roster and staff. While spring football nears the finish line, the college basketball concluded with UConn and South Carolina living up to the hype and potentially establishing dynasties. Meanwhile, John Calipari lef...