Swamp Things: A podcast about the Florida Gators

We're back and catching up on spring football, Pro Day, and the basketball team's NCAA run. On this episode, we discuss: Feleipe Franks and his leading the QB race The standout players this spring so far The biggest question mark for UF football this off-season Pro Day and Jachai Polite's struggles And the basketball team's great finish to the season and what the future looks like  

We also look at the struggling defense, the attendance issue and what is left to play for this season for the 6-3 Gators. 

The Florida Gators and Georgia Bulldogs meet up this weekend in their annual rivalry game in Jacksonville and it has been awhile since the game packed this much importance. Along with ESPN GameDay and SEC Nation being on the spot for pregame shows, the two teams are playing to keep their SEC East - and College Football Playoff - hopes alive. We talk about this and these other topics: How Florida's defense could create the same kind of problems that LSU's did in the Tigers blowout win over the Bulldogs almost two weeks ago. How Feleipe Franks needs to continue to minimize mistakes and the rushing game will be the key again in this contest Why Florida's special teams play makes them a factor with intangibles for this game.  All of this and more on this episode. 

In this episode, we talk about Florida's 27-19 win over LSU. Some of the topics we cover: The Gators keep winning games in a variety of ways. Against the Tigers, the defense made big plays, the offense executed on the ground and special teams flipped the field when needed. The offense is not going at full throttle, but Dan Mullen has instilled a confidence in the unit and his play-calling has been on point in crucial times. They're not where they want to be, but the offense is light years ahead of 2017's.  The defense came up big with 5 sacks, 3 turnovers and 12 tackles for loss. This unit is also getting better each week. These topics and more are covered on this podcast. 

The Gators won their second straight SEC road game for the first time since 2012 with a 13-6 win over Mississippi State in Starkville. Here are some of the topics from that game that we discuss: Feleipe Franks showed poise and control in a hostile environment The defense came up big, holding the Bulldogs to just 53 yards in the second half Dan Mullen and his return to Starkville The Gators are back in the AP Top 25

The Florida Gators and Tennessee Volunteers will meet for the 48th time on Saturday night.  We look ahead at the game involving two teams that have lost a combined 16 straight games against Power 5 opponents.  The keys we look at: The running game - The team who has had the most rushing yards in 13-5 in this game since 2000. The kickers - Two young and talented kickers could be asked to determine the outcome of this potentially close game What does Feleipe Franks need to do and show us on Saturday night All of this and more on this podcast. 

We look back at Florida's win over Colorado State in The Swamp. We talk about: The special teams, which blocked a punt and scored on a punt return. The defense, which had five sacks and six QB hurries and held CSU's high-octane offense to just 310 yards. Feleipe Franks, who struggled to a 0-for-6 start in the first quarter but finished the game 8-of-9.  The running backs, who have lost Malik Davis to a broken foot and have Dameon Pierce drawing attention with another strong performance. All of this and more on this episode. 

We are previewing Saturday night's game between the Gators and Wildcats. Some of the topics on this podcast: Kentucky's rushing offense and the two-headed rushing attack of Benny Snell Jr. and Asim Rose Jr.  The struggles at QB for Kentucky so far this season with Terry Wilson and Gunnar Hoak.  A veteran Kentucky defense returns this year with nine starters back, including projected first-round NFL Draft pick Josh Allen (LB)  Mark Stoops time at Kentucky and why the Wildcats haven't been able to beat Florida for 31 consecutive times. 

The Florida Gators rolled to a 53-6 win over Charleston Southern in the season opener. We look at the performance of Feleipe Franks, the special teams, and how happy Dan Mullen appears to be coaching at Florida.

The wait is finally over, Feleipe Franks will be the QB when the Gators take on Charleston Southern on Saturday. We talk about what likely went into this decision, why we think Franks will have a better season this year and what can benefit Franks this season under Mullen. We also look at the depth chart for surprises and what players will be out due to injury on Saturday.

On the eve of fall camp ending, we talk about why Florida head coach Dan Mullen hasn't named a starting QB. There are many reasons why it could be - and it might not even have anything to do with what is happening on the field. We delve deep into the QBs on this shortened version of Swamp Things. 

Florida head coach Dan Mullen met with the media this week and still doesn't have an answer on who will be the starting QB for the Gators when the season starts. We talk about what this could mean and what might be going on in the battle. Edgar got to speak with the offensive line and running backs too, and we dive into some of the things learned from that. We also discuss strength and conditioning programs and the tragedy at Maryland and how other schools are dealing with the fallout of having their athletes sell Jordan brand apparel. 

The Florida Gators fall camp has begun and with key storylines being played out on the field - and in the interview room. Edgar Thompson breaks down the QB battle and why head coach Dan Mullen isn't thrilled. Also, we break down what the expectations are for the team in the first fall camp under Mullen. Other topics discussed: The attention to detail on special teams, Trevon Grimes and Van Jefferson, the defensive lineman talked about their role and more. 

Edgar Thompson touches upon the hottest topics around the Florida Gators football team. The Orlando Sentinel UF beat writer talks about the latest news regarding off-the-field issues. Other topics include the new strength and conditioning program, highlights from SEC Media Days and Edgar touches upon the most pressing question heading into fall camp - who might end up being the quarterback this season. 

The Gators suffered an offensive collapse for the ages in South Florida to fall to 1-3 for the first time since 1986 and effectively sealed the fate of Billy Napier. The Gators will now need a bye week turnaround unlike any other to save their head coach and salvage what has become a lost season that began with such high hopes. During the latest Swamp Things, Mark and Edgar try to make sense of DJ Lagway’s Sisyphean struggles, Scott Stricklin’s looming decision on Napier and how bad things could get for a program in free fall. Can it get any worse? (0:00) Billy Napier vs. Gator Nation (2:12) Turning point (5:24) Thumbs-up (10:34) Contracts (12:34) Thumbs-down (13:48) Second-guess: Field goal? (17:34) Game ball (23:32) Biggest concern (26:56) Reason for optimism: The countdown is on (30:12) Rumored opponents (33:16) On the spot: Lane train (35:50) Billy’s banter: Excuse-making at its finest (40:24) Locker room view (47:20) Final thought: Zook 2.0 (48:25) Jeremy Foley’s Corner: Basketball (52:26)  

Florida heads to No. 4 Miami for the first time since 2013, with coach Billy Napier’s future and the Gators’ season on the line. Seeking its first win at Miami since 1985, UF aims to avoid the program’s first 1-3 start since 1986. If the Gators, a 7.5-point underdog, cannot upset the Hurricanes, Napier soon could be history himself. During the latest Swamp Things, Mark and Edgar assess Gators’ chances against the unbeaten Hurricanes, the latest Top 5 opponent on Florida’s unrelenting schedule. Headed to Miami (0:00) Reason for optimism (3:12) Reason for pessimism (6:19) Matchup on offense (9:14) Matchup in defense (11:50) On the spot: DJ Lagway (16:52) Fine thought (21:03) Coaches fired already (24:11) Game picks (28:32) Jeremy Foley’s Corner (33:56)

Florida fell to 1-2 with a loss at LSU, yet coach Billy Napier insists the Gators ‘easily could be 3-0.’ In reality, UF is fast approaching 1-3 with a visit to No. 3 Miami up next. DJ Lagway is coming off a 5-interception night for an offense averaging 13 points against FBS competition. During the latest Swamp Things, Edgar and Mark recap Florida’s recent road loss and Napier's rocky road ahead. Turning point (0:00) Thumbs-up (6:18) Thumbs-down (8:56) Second-guess (12:46) Game ball (18:40) Biggest concern (20:43) On the spot (25:22) Billy’s banter (27:33) Final thought (31:52)

Florida visits LSU looking to rebound from a devastating loss to USF and pick up the Gators’ first win at Tiger Stadium since 2016 — and just its third since 2003. Despite their lofty ranking, the No. 3 Tigers have plenty of room to improve. Meanwhile, UF needs quarterback DJ Lagway and the defense to rediscover their November 2024 form when the Gators upset LSU in the Swamp. During the latest Swamp Things, Edgar and Mark preview Saturday night’s game as the Gators begin a four-game gauntlet against ranked opponents. Billy Napier with edge (2:47) Reason for optimism (10:31) Reason for pessimism (14:15) Matchup in offense (17:34) Matchup defense (21:30) Attention paid (12:59) On the spot (26:51) Unsubstantiated rumor (29:23) Final thought: Brutal stretch (32:55) Picks (35:11) Jeremy Foley’s Corner (40:27)

Florida’s flop against USF in the Swamp has coach Billy Napier and the Gators with their backs against the wall and searching for answers. Expected to be the final tune-up prior to SEC play, the Bulls’ stunning 18-16 win could be the beginning of a Florida freefall unless the Gators can turn it around before heading to No. 3 LSU, followed by a visit to No. 5 Miami. Napier took ownership and said all the right things, but his team’s sloppy, lackluster, disappointing performance Saturday looked all too familiar. During the latest Swamp Things, Mark and Edgar sound all too familiar having been down this path one too many times during the Napier Era. The nightmare that unfolded in The Swamp (:00) Final nail in Billy Napier’s coffin (3:22) Turning point of game (7:15) Thumps-up (9:40) Hottest seat in college football (12:48) Thumbs-down (14:43) AD Scott Stricklin miscalculation (19:02) Second-guess: DJ Lagway doesn’t look right (23:05) Second-guess: Jadan Baugh is so good (26:41) Game ball (28:38) Biggest concern: The schedule (31:19) Reason for optimism (35:35) On the spot: Lagway (39:18) Billy’s banter (43:15) Coach Ron Zook summons Edgar (44:57) Heartbroken, sad & mad (47:50) Final thought: It’s over (52:24) Jeremy Foley’s Corner (57:34)  

Florida dominated on both sides of the ball during a 55-0 season-opening win against Long Island University featured domination on both sides of the ball. The Gators got what they paid for against the Sharks, who received $525,000 to serve as a Week 1 appetizer. UF now turns its attention to one of the nation’s toughest schedules, perhaps a week earlier than expected. USF should be no pushover when the Bulls visit the Swamp.  During the latest Swamp Things, Mark and Edgar look back - briefly - to LIU and ahead to USF. Soft opening for DJ Lagway (:00) Young playmakers (3:49) Offensive line needs to get better (5:30) The Swamp was packed (7:07) Reason for optimism: UF vs. USF (9:15) Reason for pessimism: Lagway play (12:44) Matchup offense (7:14) Jaden Baugh (19:20) Matchup on D (20:30) Attention paid (23:27) On the spot (28:28) Final thought (31:51) Picks (35:30) AP rankings (42:14) Jeremy Foley’s Corner (43:40)