Gators lose heartbreaker, along with QB Graham Mertz at Tennessee (Ep. 248)

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)  

Florida suffered a “gut punch,” in Billy Napier’s words at Tennessee, squandering a 10-0 second-half lead before falling in overtime on Rocky Top. But the Gators lost more than a game; veteran quarterback Graham Mertz suffered a season-ending injury as his college career came to an end. UF now turns to true freshman DJ Lagway full time. An inspired, improving defense will help, but the Gators are just entering the toughest stretch of the nation’s most difficult schedule. During the latest Swamp Things, Mark and Edgar press on as the Gators get ready for a homecoming showdown with Kentucky. Inspired performance and comedy of errors (:00) Turning point (2:15) Thumbs up (6:57) Thumbs down (9:49) Second guess (11:12) Game ball (16:49) Biggest concern (19:37) On the spot (23:34) Billy’s banter (27:00) From Mertz to DJ (31:39) Final thought (38:13) Jeremy Foley’s Corner (44:00)

The Gators head to Rocky Top coming off a pair of convincing victories and now seeking a signature win in 2024. The rival Vols are 15.5-point favorites, but have not won consecutive visits from Florida since 1990 and 1992. Meanwhile, coach Billy Napier has not won consecutive road games at UF. Something's gotta give. During the latest Swamp Things, Edgar and Mark discuss the matchup ahead of Hurricane Milton’s arrival. ‘Super Bowl of the South’ (:00) Reason for optimism (3:42) Reason for pessimism (7:22) Matchup on defense (11:42) Matchup on offense (14:05) On the spot (17:11) Unsubstantiated rumor (19:24) Final thought (24:17) A win or loss? (27:00) Jeremy Foley’s Corner (30:18)

Florida’s long-awaited matchup with UCF turned into a one-sided show of superiority by Billy Napier’s team. With their coach’s future in doubt, the Gators have now won two straight games by double digits. The schedule gets only tougher, but it’s a start. During the latest Swamp Things, Edgar and Mark reflect on the Gators performance and whether it’s a sign of things to come. Unpredictable SEC (0:00) Turning point (4:32) Thumbs up (6:29) Thumbs down (8:39) Second guess (11:57) Game ball (15:33) Biggest concern (17:42) Reason for optimism (23:17) On the spot (24:25) Billy’s banter (27:06) Final thoughts (36:26) Jeremy Foley’s Corner (39:35)

The Gators and Knights will square off during the regular season for the first time since 2006, back when UF was en route to a national championship and UCF on its way to a 4-win season during its second season in Conference USA. Times have changed. Florida has fallen to the back end of the SEC and faces its latest must-win game under coach Billy Napier as the pressure continues to intensify in Year 3. Gus Malzahn’s UCF program, now in Year 2 in the Big 12, pushes to bounce back from a disappointing loss to Colorado in its conference opener.  During the latest Swamp Things, Mark and Edgar break down a game between two schools seeking in-state bragging and midseason momentum in a sold-out Swamp. In-state bragging rights (0:00) Giving UCF a shot (4:04) No injury report (11:51) Reason for optimism (17:30) Reason for pessimism (19:40) Matchup on offense (22:44) Matchup on defense (25:00) Attention paid (27:30) On the spot (29:15) Unsubstantiated rumor (33:43) Final thought (37:33) Who is winning? (41:15) Jeremy Foley’s Corner: Volleyball (43:00)

Florida took care of business with a decisive showing at Mississippi State. The two-quarterback system ignited a big day on offense, but continued defensive issues kept things interesting against the SEC bottom-feeding Bulldogs. While the performance won’t save Billy Napier, it allowed the Gators embattled coach to fight another day. During the latest Swamp Things, Mark and Edgar break down a much-needed win as Napier pushes to build some momentum. Gators came out on top at Mississippi State (:00) Biggest bye week of Napier’s life (4:11) UCF vs. UF at 7:45pm Oct. 5 (5:21) Turning point (6:13) Thumbs up (9:19) Thumbs down (11:04) Game ball (13:52) Second guess (17:03) Reason for optimism (22:43) On the spot (27:26) Billy’s banter (28:32) Locker room view (31:26) Final thought (34:09) Jeremy Foley’s Corner (39:01)

Billy Napier’s team seeks a rare road win when the Gators head to Starkville to face the Bulldogs. UF is just 2-10 away from Gainesville under Napier, but is a surprising six-point favorite against the rebuilding Bulldogs under first-year coach Jeff Lebby. A Florida win entering a bye week could stabilize a chaotic situation a bit before UCF’s Oct. 5 visit to the Swamp. A Gators’ loss could spell the end of Napier. During the latest Swamp Things, Mark and Edgar discuss what Florida needs to do to avoid falling into the SEC cellar. Breaking down why Napier hasn’t been fired (:00) Reason for optimism (10:24) Reason for pessimism (12:05) Matchup on offense (15:42) Matchup on defense (18:20) Who has your attention? (22:15) Unsubstantiated rumor (24:30) Jeremy Foley’s Corner: Soccer (32:03)

It’s a matter of when not if UF decides to move on from their embattled and overmatched head coach. A 33-20 home to Texas A&M to open SEC play was more of the same for a program with seven straight losses to power conference foes and a pedestrian 10-6 on the Gators iconic home field. Napier survived to coach another week, Saturday at Mississippi State. Ron Zook’s final game as head coach was in Starkville 20 years ago. Will history repeat itself? During the latest Swamp Things, Edgar and Mark discuss whether Napier has a path out and wonder how he keeps the Gators together. How did Napier survive Black Sunday? (:00) Whose cellphone is blowing up the most? (8:09) Turning point (11:15) Thumbs up (13:12) Second guess (17:47) Game ball (22:49) Biggest concern (24:48) Reason for optimism (28:08) On the spot (32:01) Billy’s banter (33:45) Locker room view (36:47) Final thoughts (39:36) Jeremy Foley’s Corner: Volleyball (42:00)  

Florida opens conference play looking to build on a feel-good win against Samford and prove a season-opening loss to Miami was an anomaly. The Gators have lost six straight games to power conference opponents, but have reason for optimism after true freshman quarterback DJ Lagway’s breakout performance. How Billy Napier capitalizes and handles his quarterbacks could determine his fate and his team’s chances against the rebuilding Aggies. During the latest Swamp Things, Edgar and Mark weigh Napier’s options and the stakes of Saturday’s game. Texas A&M: Must-win game (:00) QB controversy? (2:39) Injuries (12:09) Reason for optimism (15:42) Reason for pessimism (18:08) Matchup on Defense (22:12) Who has your attention? (25:18) What are you hearing? (30:04) Final thought (32:35) Jeremy Foley’s Corner: Softball (35:22)

A record-setting performance by Florida’s quarterback of the future and overmatched opponent has given Billy Napier and Gator fans hope. Lagway’s 456 yards yards shattered the UF’s single-season standard for a freshman and breathed some hope and excitement back into the Gators. During the latest Swamp Things, Mark and Edgar reflect on the beginning of the DJ Lagway Era and the Gators bounce back win against Samford. Turning point (1:40) Thumbs up: DJ Lagway (3:15) Thumbs down (5:02) Game ball (8:06) Biggest concern (9:44) Reason for optimism (12:36) On the spot (15:29) Billie’s banter (17:17) Locker room view (21:24) Final thought (27:27) Jeremy Foley’s Corner: Golf (29:50)