Swamp Things: A podcast about the Florida Gators

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.

• Florida vs. Ole Miss (:00)
• What Gator victory would mean (5:28)
• Reason for optimism (11:00)
• Reson for pessimism (13:17)
• Matchup on offense (15:57)
• Matchup on defense (18:49)
• Who has your attention? (20:48)
• On the spot (22:43)
• Unsubstantiated rumors: Bowl games (24:40)
• Final thought (28:57)
• Who is winning? (31:17)
• Jeremy Foley’s Corner (31:10)

Florida rose to the occasion against LSU to position the Gators for bowl eligibility and provide validation for Billy Napier’s vote of confidence. Napier’s team executed in all three phases and continued to show the resilience and buy-in UF AD Scott Stricklin praised when backing his embattled coach. During the latest Swamp Things, Edgar and Mark break down a performance that could signal better days ahead.

• Florida victory over LSU (:00)
• Turning point (3:52)
• Thumbs up (8:10)
• Thumbs down (13:17)
• Second guess (17:27)
• Game ball (21:07)
• Billy’s banter (29:15)
• Player comments (31:10)
• Final thought (37:41)
• Jeremy Foley’s Corner: Basketball (41:58)

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 loss would be six straight to LSU in what used to be one of the SEC’s best rivalry games. During the latest Swamp Things, Mark and Edgar do their best to catch listeners up with a busy, crazy time in Gainesville.

• Embattled coaches vs bitter rivals (:00)
• Todd Golden statement (2:26)
• On the court (8:32)
• Alex Lloyd signed (11:00)
• Olivier Rioux redshirts (12:05)
• Football: LSU coming to town (15:39)
• Reason for optimism (17:06)
• Reason for pessimism (19:51)
• Offensive matchup (22:20)
• Defensive matchup (24:51)
• Who has your attention? (26:42)
• On the spot (30:12)
• Unsubstantiated rumor (33:32)
• Who’s going to win? (37:28)
• Jeremy Foley’s Corner (39:13)

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 reception from the fan base and a strong performance from his team. During the latest Swamp Things, Mark and Edgar discuss the craziest few days during their more than two decades covering Florida athletics.

• Todd Golden investigation (:00)
• Character assassination (9;33)
• Support from family and fans (14:20)
• On the court (15:45)
• Football: Florida at Texas (21:15)
• Thumbs up (22:50)
• Thumbs down (24:46)
• Second guess (27:00)
• Game ball (30:25)
• Bowl game possibilities (31:55)
• Billy’s banter (34:03)
• Napier’s vote of confidence (36:37)
• Final thought (38:28)
• Recruitting (40:52)
• Jeremy Foley’s corner (43:59)

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 four games remaining and another season ahead under Napier.

• Billy is back! (:00)
• Financial decision? (7:31)
• Will UF live to regret decision? (11:43)
• Texas matchup (14:44)
• Reason for optimism (17:47)
• Reason for pessimism (20:48)
• Offensive matchup (23:23)
• Defensive matchup (28:33)
• Attention paid (30:09)
• On the spot (31:41)
• Unsubstantiated rumor (33:58)
• Final thought (35:35)
• Jeremy Foley’s Corner: Basketball (37:47)

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 to challenge the final three SEC opponents.

• DJ Lagway injury (:00)
• Injuries piling up (2:16)
• Napier earns 4th year (3:47)
• DJ Lagway status (8:51)
• Turning point (12:31)
• Thumbs up (17:40)
• Thumbs down (22:31)
• Unsubstantiated rumor (24:51)
• Second guess (27:47)
• Game ball (31:46)
• Biggest concern (35:16)
• On the spot (38:57)
• Billy’s banter (43:07)
• Aidan Mizell: Fastest on team (53:23)
• Jeremy Foley’s Corner (55:37)

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 pessimism (9:59)
• Offensive matchup (13:32)
• Defensive matchup (16:34)
• Who has your attention? (19:34)
• On the spot (24:15)
• Final thought (28:06)
• Who is winning? (36:39)
• Jeremy Foley’s Corner (37:17)

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 (0:00)
• Men’s basketball: Promising team (9:48)
• Olivier Rioux (12:57)
• Returners (18:00)
• Transfers (28:00)
• Schedule (35:40)
• Jeremy Foley’s Corner (38:34)

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 Wildcats (0:00)
• Billy Napier’s job security (3:41)
• Turning point (10:13)
• Thumbs up (13:06)
• Thumbs down (20:44)
• Second guess (24:00)
• Game ball (28:00)
• Biggest concern (30:16)
• On the spot (32:46)
• Billy’s banter (35:38)
• Post game (41:27)
• Jeremy Foley’s Corner (44:19)

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 Wildcat win would mean (:00)
• Reason for optimism (5:58)
• Reason for pessimism (7:51)
• Matchup on offense (10:24)
• Matchup on defense (13:29)
• Who has your attention? (16:12)
• On the spot (18:18)
• Unsubstantiated rumor (20:37)
• Final thought: Hall of Fame (23:56)
• Who is winning? (30:22)
• Jeremy Foley’s Corner (32:02)