Swamp Things: A podcast about the Florida Gators

Swamp Things: A podcast about the Florida Gators

The latest on Florida Gators football, basketball and more featuring Orlando Sentinel sports writer Edgar Thompson.

Episodes

November 7, 2025 47 mins

Florida heads to Kentucky looking for its first win since 2019 in the Bluegrass State. The Gators nearly upset Georgia under interim coach Billy Gonzales a week ago. UF now has to summon the focus and energy in chilly conditions and on the road in a game pitting two struggling programs playing out the string. Meanwhile, Todd Golden's reigning national champions took out their frustration on North Florida after a season-opening loss...

Mark as Played

The Gators rallied behind interim coach Billy Gonzales to challenge No. 5 Georgia. But Florida fizzled in key moments during their fifth straight loss to the Bulldogs, leaving the Gators with four games to go and little at stake beyond pride and a lower-tier bowl game. Meanwhile, Todd Golden's Gators kicked off the season with a 93-87 loss to Arizona in Las Vegas, where the Gators were unable to summon the late-game magic from the ...

Mark as Played

Florida looks to snap a four-game losing streak to Georgia and get on a November run against all odds. Interim coach Billy Gonzales and his players' resolve is sure to be tested. Kirby Smart's Bulldogs are not the dominant force of recent seasons and have experienced some close-calls, but still find ways to win. All eyes, though, are on the winner of the Lane Kiffin Sweepstakes. The Ole Miss coach will have a decision to make. The ...

Mark as Played

Hope springs eternal as the Gators prepare for the Florida-Georgia game. The Billy Napier era is over. Interim coach Billy Gonzales has made changes to ignite the SEC's lowest-scoring offense, upset the Bulldogs and ultimately salvage the 2025 season. All eyes, though, are on who'll become Florida's next coach. Ole Miss' Lane Kiffin tops the list by a country mile with the fan base. During the latest Swamp Things, Mark and Edgar lo...

Mark as Played

Billy Napier was let go as the Gators turned the page on a failed four-year tenure ending with a 22-23 record and on track for a third losing season. UF is banking on longtime receivers coach Billy Gonzales to inspire a talented roster and ignite a lackluster offense during the remaining five regular-season games. All eyes, though, are on who will replace Napier at season's end, with Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin atop everyone's wish ...

Mark as Played

Florida hosts Mississippi State during what some suspect and many hope is a homecoming send-off for Billy Napier. The Gators are 9.5-point favorites, but the Bulldogs are no pushovers, either. If UF athletic director Scott Stricklin's alma mater pulls an upset, he'll have an easy decision. A Gators' win will make the timing of Napier's inevitable ouster trickier. Either way, Napier's time at UF is coming to a close. During the late...

Mark as Played

The Gators could not sustain their fast start during a 34-17 loss at Texas A&M, but did have their chances against the No. 5 Aggies before faltering. The loss followed a familiar script, featuring predictable play calling and questionable decision-making, to drop Billy Napier's team to 0-14 against ranked teams away from Gainesville. During the latest Swamp Things, Edgar and Mark struggle to find many positives from UF's latest per...

Mark as Played

Coming off a home win against Texas, Florida looks to build on its best performance of the season with a visit to No. 5 Texas A&M. The Aggies are playing as well as any team in the SEC, highlighted by a last-second win at Notre Dame. A&M also has one of the nation's best home-field advantages. Kyle Field will be nearly 110,000 strong as the Gators seek their first road win against a ranked team under Napier. Meanwhile, quarterback ...

Mark as Played

Florida's 29-21 win against Texas ended a three-game skid and gave the Gators something to build on. Billy Napier remains firmly on the hot seat, but the must-win gave the Gators a jolt of momentum heading to No. 5 Texas A&M and their coach a chance to save himself. During the latest Swamp Things, Mark and Edgar discuss an electric day in the Swamp and the Gators' most complete performance of 2025.

  • Gators end 3-game skid (0:00...
Mark as Played

It's only October, but time is running out on Florida coach Billy Napier and the 1-3 Gators. Things don't get any easier, either. After consecutive losses to Top 5 teams, UF hosts No. 9 Texas, a 2024 CFB semifinalist and preseason No. 1. But the Longhorns have their own issues, beginning with quarterback Arch Manning. The preseason Heisman favorite has failed to live up to expectations so far, similar to DJ Lagway for the Gators. D...

Mark as Played

Florida quarterback DJ Lagway attacked the bye week following a forgettable September. He now aims to lead an October turnaround and save Billy Napier's job. Lagway and Co. face a tall order: The Gators are last in scoring among Power Four teams against FBS foes. During the latest Swamp Things, Edgar and Mark wonder whether Florida's offensive woes can be fixed before Lagway's sophomore season is lost.

  • Getting to the root of D...
Mark as Played

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, Scot...

Mark as Played

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 Hurricane...

Mark as Played
September 15, 2025 34 mins

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 ...
Mark as Played

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 S...

Mark as Played

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...

Mark as Played

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.  Durin...

Mark as Played

Week 1 has finally arrived. After kicking off the season against ranked oppoents his first three seasons, Billy Napier can ease into a pivotal Year 4. So can quarterback DJ Lagway, who is expected to start after nursing injuries ever since the Gasparilla Bowl. But the No. 15 Gators are more than a two-man show. During the latest Swamp Things, Edgar and Mark break down Florida from all angles ahead of the program's biggest season in...

Mark as Played

DJ Lagway's recovery from a calf injury continues, with Florida's quarterback participating in 11-on-11 for the first time in fall camp. A modest step could have massive implications, especially given the Gators' uncertainty behind him. Meanwhile, injuries at receiver have given true freshman Vernell Brown III even more opportunity to establish a key role. UF's talent, depth and direction have earned preseason praise, including a N...

Mark as Played

Florida quarterback DJ Lagway's health remains a concern as the Gators' Aug. 30 season opener looms. Lagway's workload will be modified for a while because of a left calf injury as he also continues to progress from an offseason shoulder issue. UF's fortunes likely hinge on the availability of the sophomore, who turned 20 a day after the Gators checked in at No. 15 in the preseason AP Top 25 featuring 10 SEC teams - six of the Flor...

Mark as Played

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