GATORBAIT MEDIA

Jadan Baugh runs through a gaping hole against Tulane in 2024 (Photo by Chris Spears) A few thoughts to jump start your Sunday morning: When we think of the Air Raid offense that Buster Faulkner grew up at Valdosta State we think it’s everybody out for a pass with an occasional run mixed in. Obviously, somebody tore the thou shalt not run the ball more than a dozen times per game page out of his playbook because Faulkner’s offenses in his three seasons as the coordinator at G

But we’re talking college football here and pressed to pick somebody — really pressed, the way an old sportswriter gets pressed when he’s been around long enough to have actually watched these things unfold in real time — I keep coming back to the same name.

My mom and dad in 1945 A few thoughts to jump start your Saturday morning: Today we celebrate the 250th birthday of the United States of America, an experiment in governing like no other in the history of the world. On this day in 1776, delegates from 13 colonies met in Philadelphia at the Second Continental Congress and unanimously voted to declare independence from England, the only true super power in the world at that time. The men who signed that sacred document were wil

A few thoughts to jump start your Friday morning: Friday, July 3, 2026 began like every other day. At 4:30 I woke up, no alarm necessary, a habit that became daily routine for more than 20 years of taking care of elderly parents. Both Dom and Carleta Underwood have passed away during the last 18 months but the habit of waking up to check up on them remains intact. Of course, they are absent so the early morning hours are now spent reading, writing and reflection. In the qui

Bell comes to Gainesville from Alabama, where he saw firsthand what a fully aligned athletic and academic powerhouse looks like. And he didn’t waste time making his priorities clear.

Vernell Brown III stretches for a deep throw against South Florida in 2025 (Photo by Chris Spears) A few thoughts to jump start your Thursday morning: It may not matter who offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner starts at quarterback this fall. Whether it’s Aaron Philo, Trammel Jones Jr. or even freshman Will Griffin the task will be get the ball out quickly to what might very well prove to be the best wide receiver room in the Southeastern Conference. Athlon’s preseason magaz

A few thoughts to jump start your Wednesday morning: As a third-year sophomore at Valdosta State, Buster Faulkner learned a football version of Charles Darwin’s adapt or die theory of evolution. As a freshman and sophomore, Faulkner was the backup to strong-armed Dusty Bonner, who threw for 107 touchdowns while winning the Harlon Hill Trophy, the Division II version of the Heisman. Bonner was blessed with a pro-style arm capable of making all the throws. While Faulkner had th

A few thoughts to jump start your Tuesday morning: The philosophy of William James, considered the father of American psychology, could be paraphrased like this: The decisions you make will form the foundation of your lasting legacy. When it comes to Florida football, the legacy of the last 15 years is inconsistency that can be traced to bad decisions that probably seemed like a good idea at the moment. Whether it was bad decisions when it came to hiring head coaches or the

“Sure, luck means a lot in football. Not having a good quarterback is bad luck.” – Don Shula Someone once said quarterbacks get too much credit when teams do well, too much criticism when teams don’t produce. It is the single most important position no matter the sport. The right quarterback can take a team with outstanding talent to championships (see Tim Tebow, Cam Newton, Joe Burrow). The right quarterback can even lead typically below average teams to unprecedented height

A few thoughts to jump start your Saturday morning: Thirty seems to be a very good number for Florida football. For example, in 1996 Steve Spurrier won the Heisman Trophy, the Gators went 9-2 and beat Georgia Tech 27-10 in the Orange Bowl, putting an unceremonious end to the legendary career of Bobby Dodd. Thirty years later, Spurrier coached the Gators to a 12-1 record that included Florida’s fourth straight SEC championship, a 52-20 humiliation of Florida State and Bobby Bo

Brad White is very much a sleeper — the kind of quiet star who looks more and more like head‑coaching material the longer you stare at the résumé.

Florida AD Scott Stricklin oversaw an athletic program that finished sixth nationally (Photo by Chris Spears) A few thoughts to jump start your Thursday morning: For the 42nd consecutive year, the University of Florida finished among the top ten in the Learfield Director’s Cup standings that signify overall excellence from top to bottom of the entire athletic program. A strong second place finish by the Florida women’s track and field team at the NCAA outdoor championships p