The latest on Florida Gators football, basketball and more featuring Orlando Sentinel sports writer Edgar Thompson.
A day after reaching their highest ranking since 2017, No. 5 Florida was stunned by Missouri to end a 16-game home winning streak and put Final Four plans on hold. The Tigers out-toughed the Gators from the jump - to the chagrin of Todd Golden. The Gators now look to bounce back against Texas and keep pace in the stacked SEC. Meanwhile, all’s quiet in football, a bit too quiet for many people’s liking as Billy Napier has yet to make the staff changes or capitalize on the transfer portal as many expected. During the latest Swamp Things, Edgar and Mark wonder what went wrong for Golden’s Gators and whether Napier has gone rogue.
Florida whipped top-ranked Tennessee in historic fashion as Todd Golden’s team continues to dominate in the O’Dome and raise Final Four hopes. Meanwhile, football’s offseason has been quieter than expected. That could change with upcoming staff moves and - fans hope - potential transfer portal activity. Mark, Edgar and Wesley return from a two-week hiatus to catch up on recent events during the latest Swamp Things.
The Gators and DJ Lagway weren’t at their best against outmatched Tulane, but didn’t need to be during a 25-point Gasparilla Bowl win. But Florida’s fortunes under Billy Napier will hinge on how he performs this offseason. The transfer portal closes soon, staff changes are likely pending and the implementation of a front office is inevitable. During an impromptu, holiday edition of Swamp Things, Mark and Edgar break it all down for a final time in 2024.
Florida pushes to end 2024 on a four-game winning streak and complete an impressive turnaround in Billy Napier’s third season. The Gators are two-touchdown favorites against a team without its starting quarterback, but Green Wave coach Jon Sumrall wants to avoid a season-ending three-game skid to cap a once-promising debut season. Meanwhile, a lack of activity mining the transfer portal, the possible flip of 5-star wideout Dallas Wilson and the unbeaten men’s basketball team also have Edgar and Mark’s attention during the latest Swamp Things.
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The SEC released the 2025 football schedule to lay out the uphill climb ahead for the Gators. But coach Billy Napier has plenty of immediate challenges to address, including a roster makeover and staff changes. Meanwhile, Todd Golden’s top-10 basketball team will face its toughest test to date against Arizona State while the No. 3 gymnastics squad will take to the floor for the first time. During the latest Swamp Things, Mark and Edgar do their best to keep track of it all - and more - during a relentless December.
Florida is headed to Tampa to face Tulane Dec. 20 in the Gasparilla Bowl. The Gators’ appearance in the 2021 game occurred under much different circumstances, with an interim coach and Billy Napier waiting in the wings to replace Dan Mullen. Florida now seeks its first four-game winning streak under Napier. Meanwhile, the Green Wave’s starting quarterback entered the transfer portal in a sign of the times in college football. During the coming weeks, the Gators hope to prevent attrition and add key players while picking up their first bowl win since 2019. During the latest Swamp Things, Mark and Edgar discuss a critical, chaotic month for Napier’s program and the new 12-team College Football Playoff.
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Three weeks ago, the Gators’ 2025 recruiting class was barely inside the top-50 and circling the drain. But since upsetting LSU, the Gators have flipped the script along with a dozen recruits committed to other schools. By NSD, the Gators had risen to No. 11, and even briefly entered the top 10. Billy Napier credited UF AD Scott Stricklin’s vote of confidence followed by the Gators’ 3-game winning streak convincing prospects who were on the fence to take a leap of faith. During the latest Swamp Things, Edgar and Mark break down Napier’s fourth class at Florida.
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Florida ended a two-game losing streak against archrival Florida State during a matchup with as much action following a 31-11 victory than during it. The game itself might have been ugly, but it was ultimately a thing of beauty to the Gators. A midfield flag planting, an ensuing scuffle and victory cigars in the visitors locker room demonstrated how much the win meant to the players. During the latest Swamp Things, Edgar and Mark discuss Florida’s season-ending flourish and the huge month ahead for Billy Napier’s program.
An unexpected reversal of fortunes suddenly gives Billy Napier’s surging Gators the upper hand against Mike Norvell’s struggling Seminoles. UF is coming off consecutive wins against ranked opponents while FSU cracked 20 points for the first time in nearly three months against Charleston Southern. Florida is a 15-point favorite during the latest meeting between the in-state rivals as the Gators seek their first win in Tallahassee since 2018. During the latest Swamp Things, Mark and Edgar wonder what happened to two proud programs suddenly heading in opposite directions.
Florida backed up an upset of LSU with another inspired performance to knock Ole Miss out of the College Football Playoff and end Lane Kiffin-to-Gainesville speculation. Billy Napier is pleased with his team’s turnaround, but far from satisfied to merely scratch his first winning season at UF. During the latest Swamp Things, Mark and Edgar discuss the Gators’ winning formula and continue to gush about the DJ Lagway Effect.
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Florida hosts No. 9 Ole Miss looking to build on an impressive performance against LSU in a game that could prove a turning point for Billy Napier’s program. Lane Kiffin has put together a senior-, transfer-laden team that leads the SEC in scoring and second in point allowed. But the Gators will have momentum and a sold-out Swamp behind them as they aim to knock the Rebels out of the College Football Playoff hunt. During the latest Swamp Things, Edgar and Mark give the Gators better than a puncher’s chance as they analyze the matchup.
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