Latest Orlandosentinel Podcast Episodes
Spring game takeaways, Todd Golden begins roster reload (Ep. 223)
Swamp Things: A podcast about the Florida Gators - April 16, 2024 16:33 - 45 minutes ★★★ - 65 ratingsFlorida’s spring game was an improvement on 2023 and gave fans their first look at Billy Napier’s 2024 team. Those on hand left with reasons for optimism entering the offseason of a pivotal Year 3. Meanwhile, Todd Golden picked up his first commit, Chattanooga transfer Sam Alexis of Apopka, as h...
Spring game arrives, basketball season concludes, baseball team collapses (Ep. 222)
Swamp Things: A podcast about the Florida Gators - April 10, 2024 16:55 - 54 minutes ★★★ - 65 ratingsFlorida’s spring game is set for Saturday in the Swamp. Fans get their first chance to see the Gators in action following a 5-7 season and sweeping offseason changes to Billy Napier’s roster and staff. While spring football nears the finish line, the college basketball concluded with UConn and S...
Spring football enters homestretch, UConn aims to supplant ‘04s, women’s sports seize centerstage (Ep. 221)
Swamp Things: A podcast about the Florida Gators - April 05, 2024 17:20 - 1 hour ★★★ - 65 ratingsFlorida football is amid a two-week stretch Billy Napier calls “critical” to his program’s turnaround. The Gators have two scrimmages, including the spring game, to sharpen their focus entering the offseason. Meanwhile, the biggest weekend in college basketball takes center stage, with UConn loo...
Riley Kugel bails after Florida’s NCAA exit, Gators stage spring football’s first scrimmage, softball back on track (Ep. 220)
Swamp Things: A podcast about the Florida Gators - March 29, 2024 18:16 - 54 minutes ★★★ - 65 ratingsKugel returned to school expected to be a star. Instead, he endured a stunning sophomore slump ending with his much-anticipated transfer less than week after UF’s NCAA Tournament loss. Todd Golden now pushes to match last spring’s transfer portal success and maintain the Gators’ upward trajector...
Gators back at the Big Dance, Pro Day’s indictment of Dan Mullen, gymnastics team seeks 3-peat (Ep. 219)
Swamp Things: A podcast about the Florida Gators - March 21, 2024 19:12 - 55 minutes ★★★ - 65 ratingsFlorida is back in the NCAA Tournament for the first time in three years and capable of a deep run if the pieces fall into place as Todd Golden’s team looks to continue the program’s Year 2 turnaround. Back in Gainesville, the Gators’ Pro Day was an all-time dud, highlighting the lack of depth B...
Money, money, money … Will Gators investment in Todd Golden, Billy Napier pay off? (Ep. 218)
Swamp Things: A podcast about the Florida Gators - March 15, 2024 18:45 - 49 minutes ★★★ - 65 ratingsFlorida is all-in on coaches Todd Golden and Billy Napier, giving Golden a contract extension on the eve of the SEC tournament and increasing the recruiting budget 45% for Napier’s football program. Golden has revived the men’s basketball program and re-energized the fan base. A postseason run w...
Spring football kicks off and Gators men’s basketball kicks Bama butt (Ep. 217)
Swamp Things: A podcast about the Florida Gators - March 08, 2024 16:27 - 52 minutes ★★★ - 65 ratingsBilly Napier’s third season in Gainesville is unofficially underway with the start of spring football practices. During the next six weeks, a remade roster and staff will push to turn the page on consecutive losing seasons and search for answers, leaders, playmakers and momentum. Meanwhile, Todd...
Gators enter March Madness poised for postseason run, spring football on the horizon (Ep. 216)
Swamp Things: A podcast about the Florida Gators - February 29, 2024 22:11 - 1 hour ★★★ - 65 ratingsFlorida reached 20 wins in men’s basketball for the first time since 2018 as Todd Golden’s program pushes to make a postseason run. But with three regular-season games to go, the Gators continue to show a lack of killer instinct while the mystery of Riley Kugel continues. Meanwhile, Billy Napier...
Basketball heartbreak at Alabama, staff churn continues in football, spring sports ramp up (Ep.215)
Swamp Things: A podcast about the Florida Gators - February 22, 2024 18:44 - 53 minutes ★★★ - 65 ratingsFlorida’s upset bid in men’s basketball came up short in overtime at Alabama. Coach Todd Golden’s squad let a golden opportunity slip away, but the Gators have found their stride with March Madness on the horizon. Meanwhile, Billy Napier’s program will kick off spring football in two weeks with ...
Billy Napier discusses the Gators’ busy offseason, hope for the future (Ep. 214)
Swamp Things: A podcast about the Florida Gators - February 07, 2024 23:50 - 45 minutes ★★★ - 65 ratingsThe early signing period has devalued National Signing Day on the first week of February. Even though the Gators didn’t add to the 2024 class, Billy Napier had plenty to discuss following offseason changes to virtually every aspect of his program. Something had to give after consecutive losing s...
Gators stun Kentucky, Billy Napier tweaks special teams, RIP Martin Fennelly (Ep. 213)
Swamp Things: A podcast about the Florida Gators - February 01, 2024 17:36 - 56 minutes ★★★ - 65 ratingsFlorida’s upset at Kentucky in men’s basketball gave Todd Golden a much-needed signature win and supercharged the Gators’ NCAA Tournament resumé. Wins at Rupp Arena don’t come easily. Prior to Wednesday, UF had won just 10 times in 50 visits to Lexington since 1974. Napier’s last trip to Kentuck...
Jaden Rashada strikes again, where will this twisted tale end? (Ep. 212)
Swamp Things: A podcast about the Florida Gators - January 26, 2024 20:49 - 49 minutes ★★★ - 65 ratingsA year after Florida made national headlines and the Billy Napier’s NIL approach became a punchline, news surfaced that a failed $13.8 million deal with Rashada is under NCAA scrutiny. But will the slow wheels of justice ultimately impact the football program? Otherwise, it’s been a good week fo...
Is Florida coach Billy Napier’s seat hot or not? (Ep. 211)
Swamp Things: A podcast about the Florida Gators - January 18, 2024 23:15 - 46 minutes ★★★ - 65 ratingsBy virtually any measure, Billy Napier entered 2024 squarely on the hot seat after consecutive losing seasons and a substandard brand of football. Florida AD Scott Stricklin disagrees and passionately backs the coach he hired to turn around the Gators. Will Stricklin be the one who ultimately de...
Nick Saban’s retirement kicks off 2024 full of change in college football (Ep. 210)
Swamp Things: A podcast about the Florida Gators - January 11, 2024 17:31 - 52 minutes ★★★ - 65 ratingsThe GOAT is gone. Alabama coach Nick Saban’s retirement rocked the college football world to kick off a year shaping up to be unlike any other in moden college football. Add the exit of the face of the sport to a list including an expanded College Football playoff, SEC, ACC and Big Ten expansion...
Billy Napier resolves to change the Gators’ fortunes in 2024 (Ep. 209)
Swamp Things: A podcast about the Florida Gators - January 05, 2024 19:01 - 1 hour ★★★ - 65 ratingsA new year brings new hope for Florida football. Coming off a 5-7 season and 11-14 overall, Billy Napier has to sell the future. It begins with 5-star quarterback signee DJ Lagway, one of three incoming Gators who played during the recent Under Armour All-American game, a half-dozen newcomers fr...
National Signing Day wins and losses as Billy Napier’s Gators turn the page on 2023 (Ep. 208)
Swamp Things: A podcast about the Florida Gators - December 21, 2023 17:54 - 1 hour ★★★ - 65 ratingsFlorida’s 2024 class didn’t turn out to be what it could have been but might have been more than it should have been after another losing season in Gainesville. A pair of 5-star prospects, quarterback DJ Lagway and defensive lineman LJ McCray, headlined a class that settled at a respectable No....
Florida’s football schedule intensifies the challenge ahead for Billy Napier (Ep. 207)
Swamp Things: A podcast about the Florida Gators - December 14, 2023 23:14 - 52 minutes ★★★ - 65 ratingsThe Gators’ 2024 schedule was going to be difficult, however it shook out. But the SEC did UFno favors, saddling Napier with a November featuring five games against teams currently ranked in the top 13 of the College Football Playoff rankings. A coach already feeling the heat now will have to na...
Gators on the move as Billy Napier’s rebuild enters critical phase (Ep. 206)
Swamp Things: A podcast about the Florida Gators - December 07, 2023 19:35 - 53 minutes ★★★ - 65 ratingsUF hired Napier for his ability to identify talent and build a roster as much as coaching acumen. The time has arrived for the 44-year-old to prove he was worth his $7 million-plus salary. The transfer portal opened Monday, National Signing Day is in less than two weeks, the Gators roster and st...
Florida enters pivotal December full of change (Ep. 205)
Swamp Things: A podcast about the Florida Gators - December 01, 2023 19:34 - 45 minutes ★★★ - 65 ratingsCoach Billy Napier didn’t waste much time shaking up his staff following a season-ending loss to FSU, jettisoning two veteran defensive assistants. A handful of players also made known their futures known as the week unfolded. It’s just the beginning of a hectic, critical stretch as Napier aims ...
Florida’s season with FSU loss, third straight losing record (Ep. 204)
Swamp Things: A podcast about the Florida Gators - November 27, 2023 19:03 - 38 minutes ★★★ - 65 ratingsThe Gators’ 24-15 loss to their rival Seminoles in the Swamp dropped UF to 5-7 and left coach Billy Napier 11-14 after two seasons in Gainesville. He is now on the clock entering a critical offseason. Napier must rebuild his staff and roster, finetune his messaging and regain the confidence of G...
Florida seeks to salvage season, upset unbeaten FSU (Ep. 203)
Swamp Things: A podcast about the Florida Gators - November 22, 2023 17:23 - 29 minutes ★★★ - 65 ratingsThe 2023 Gators’ goals are long gone, but Billy Napier’s squad still has plenty to play for against the rival Seminoles. UF pushes to avoid a losing season while cutting the Noles down to size and ending their College Football Playoff hopes. Two backup quarterbacks forced into action are among t...
Florida moves past missed opportunity at Missouri as FSU visit looms (Ep. 202)
Swamp Things: A podcast about the Florida Gators - November 20, 2023 23:07 - 50 minutes ★★★ - 65 ratingsThe Gators’ last-second loss was tough to take for Billy Napier’s team. Florida had a late lead and a chance to close the deal at Columbia, but could not make the plays or avoid mental mistakes when it mattered. UF now looks to end a four-game skid at the expense of rival FSU in a sold-out Swamp...
Florida faces roadblock at No. 9 Missouri as Gators push to avoid falling under .500 (Ep. 201)
Swamp Things: A podcast about the Florida Gators - November 16, 2023 22:52 - 51 minutes ★★★ - 65 ratingsThe chance for a winning season is fleeting for Billy Napier’s team. In fact, finishing above .500 is a likely pipe dream at this point. A visit to surging and surprising Mizzou poses challenges on multiple fronts from the Tigers’ balanced attack, a defense with talent at all three levels, a clu...
Florida recovers from Jayden Daniels’ record-setting night, defensive collapse at LSU (Ep. 200)
Swamp Things: A podcast about the Florida Gators - November 13, 2023 22:39 - 56 minutes ★★★ - 65 ratingsThe Gators were left to lick their wounds and pick up the pieces after failing to keep up in a shootout at Tiger Stadium. Billy Napier’s squad showed fight and offensive spark against LSU, but UF’s reeling defense could not keep up with Daniels as he supercharged his Heisman campaign. Edgar and ...
Florida Gators look to steal one at LSU’s Tiger Stadium (Ep. 199)
Swamp Things: A podcast about the Florida Gators - November 10, 2023 19:15 - 51 minutes ★★★ - 65 ratingsBilly Napier’s team pushes to bounce back from a disheartening home loss to Arkansas with an upset win under the lights at LSU. The Gators are 14.5-point underdogs facing the SEC’s top offense and toughest environment - a night game in Tiger Stadium. Star quarterback Jayden Daniels (concussion) ...
Billy Napier rebuffs Arkansas fallout with LSU visit looming (Ep. 198)
Swamp Things: A podcast about the Florida Gators - November 06, 2023 23:57 - 44 minutes ★★★ - 65 ratingsFlorida’s overtime loss to Arkansas reverberated 48 hours later. Napier was eager to move on, even if questions remained about the Gators continued special teams miscues, game management and lost opportunity. There is no avoiding what’s next: a three-game meat grinder beginning with Saturday’s v...
Florida pushes to secure bowl eligibility against struggling Arkansas (Ep. 197)
Swamp Things: A podcast about the Florida Gators - November 02, 2023 17:22 - 1 hour ★★★ - 65 ratingsThe Gators will host the Razorbacks in a sold-out Swamp with their best chance for a win during a daunting November. Arkansas is winless in SEC, but not an easy out, either. Of the Hogs’ six losses, five were by one possession. This is a can’t-loss game for Florida and coach Billy Napier, given ...
Florida moves on from another lop-sided loss to rival Georgia (Ep. 196)
Swamp Things: A podcast about the Florida Gators - October 30, 2023 22:00 - 50 minutes ★★★ - 65 ratingsThe Gators’ struggles against the Bulldogs continued as a fast start fizzled and Kirby Smart’s squad capitalized on a slew of unforced errors. UF’s third straight loss and sixth in seven meetings was another reminder of the work ahead for Billy Napier’s program. For now, the Gators will focus on...
Florida looks to end Georgia’s dominance, snap 24-game winning streak (Ep. 195)
Swamp Things: A podcast about the Florida Gators - October 26, 2023 19:54 - 49 minutes ★★★ - 65 ratingsLosers of two straight and five of six, the Gators are on the wrong end of their long-standing rivalry with the Bulldogs. Few expect the tide to turn Saturday against Kirby Smart’s top-ranked team, a 14.5-point favorite. The Bulldogs have looked vulnerable, yet remain formidable even without sta...
Gators ready for top-ranked Georgia as 15.5-point underdogs (Ep. 194)
Swamp Things: A podcast about the Florida Gators - October 23, 2023 22:21 - 38 minutes ★★★ - 65 ratingsFlorida has some momentum coming off a bye week while Billy Napier’s beleaguered offense showed promise during wins against Vanderbilt and South Carolina. The Gators now prepare for a massive step up against their rival Bulldogs, winners of 24 straight including a pair of one-sided wins against ...
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