Gators are ‘close,’ yet so far away (Ep. 295)

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)

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 years. Setting the line on LIU (:00) DJ Lagway off limits (6:14) Bland media guide (10:21) Key storyline (not Napier or Lagway) (18:00) Breakout player (29:39) On the spot (25:28) X factor (28:22) Non-conference schedules (31:17) NFL corner (40:19) Gators selling something more (46:00) Jeremy Foley’s Corner (50:33) Picks: Week 1  (53:15)

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 No. 15 ranking, for coach Billy Napier’s squad. The fourth-year coach is having none of it, dismissing outside opinions as irrelevant and insulting. Mark and Edgar keep the insults at a minimum and distribute their share of praise during the final Swamp Things before Week 1’s long-awaited arrival. Positive strides for DJ Lagway (:00) QB depth (2:29) Lagway must play first game (4:16) Playmakers surrounding QB (9:53) Billy Napier on praise (15:25) All-time AP All-America team (25:25) Season tickets sold out? (33:11) Anthony Richardson done? (37:20) Jeremy Foley’s Corner (41:21) Urban Meyer salute (46:38)

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 Florida opponents. During the latest Swamp Things, Edgar and Mark run through the Gators’ lengthy injury report, their tenuous quarterback situation and a taxing 2025 schedule. DJ Lagway’s health (:00) ‘Modified for awhile’ (3:32) Other injured players (6:20) Expecting huge jumps (12:49) QBs generating buzz (15:05) DJ or bust season (18:21) Hayden Hansen (23:24) How will team perform? (28:59) Breaking down schedule (34:54) Jeremy Foley’s Corner (40:19)  

Florida quarterback DJ Lagway is throwing in front of reporters for the first time since the Gasparilla Bowl, a positive step as he returns from shoulder, core and calf injuries. Lagway’s health could be the key to Billy Napier’s fourth season, though the embattled coach now has a roster better equipped to handle setbacks and able to support whoever lines up at QB. Napier hopes he doesn’t have to put his team’s depth to the test against a schedule featuring seven teams ranked in the coaches’ poll, five of them ahead of the No. 17 Gators. During the latest Swamp Things, Mark and Edgar have a thorough, at times passionate, discussion about the most promising Florida squad in some time. Biggest playmakers not 100% (0:00) Backup QBs (7:30) Impactful players have a lot to prove (11:45) Coaches Poll  (16:48) Schedules (19:02) Depth of talent (27:43) Justifying buyouts (51:20) Jeremy Foley’s Corner (56:00)

Florida opens fall camp Wednesday as Billy Napier begins his fourth season in Gainesville. Napier has put together the Gators best roster in years, but all eyes will be on sophomore quarterback DJ Lagway as he returns from a shoulder injury. While Lagway’s health status remains a mystery, coach Todd Golden revealed transfer guard Boogie Fland is recovering from sports hernia surgery as the reigning national champions conclude summer workouts. Golden spoke to reporters at the unveiling of a portrait by UF linebacker James Bates, who has painted one for each of the school’s 20 national championship coaches. During the latest Swamp Things, Edgar and Mark put the finishing touches on basketball and offer a quick sketch of Napier’s 2025 Gators.

SEC media picked Florida to finish sixth a season after Billy Napier’s team was picked to finish 12th in the expanded 16-team conference. 2024 newcomer Texas is expected to win the league, ahead of Georgia. Each is on UF’s daunting 2025 schedule, but Napier is confident his team can go toe-to-toe with anyone. A big reason is sophomore QB DJ Lagway, who claimed a clean bill of health at Media Days but was left off the three All-SEC teams. During the latest Swamp Things, Mark and Edgar break it all down heading into the weekend. SEC media poll (0:00) DJ Lagway behind (8:07) Wide range of expectations (13:25) Schedule strength (15:02) Napier more comfort, confident (23:00) Longhorns’ Arch Manning (25:40) Playoff argument (30:00) Rating coaches (34:27) Men’s basketball (39:15)