Embattled head coach Billy Napier's Gators fell from favorites to underdogs against UCF overnight (Photo by Chris Spears) A few thoughts to jump start your Tuesday morning: Overnight, the oddsmakers in Las Vegas changed their opinions about Florida’s upcoming encounter with UCF (3-1). Sunday night the Gators (2-2) were favored by a single point. Monday, UCF went from underdog to 2.5-point favorite.   It has been that kind of a season for the Gators, whose defensive struggles have all but erased job security for head coach Billy Napier. Napier’s coaching seat burns hotter than a China Syndrome nuclear meltdown. It is a win-or-else predicament that Napier finds himself in and given the difficulty of the schedule, this might be the closest the Gators come to being favored until week 12 when they go to Tallahassee to face the single most disappointing team of the 2024 season, Florida State.   As bad as the Gators have been this year, Florida State has been worse, but Napier may not be around to coach against the Seminoles in late November. First things first, he’s got to find a way to beat a UCF team that is capable of grinding out the yards and controlling the clock. Given the way the Gators have defended the run this year, UCF could turn Saturday night into a track meet at The Swamp.   UCF is coming off a game in which they had few if any answers to Colorado, but obviously, the people in Las Vegas think the Knights will rebound against the Gators, who have given up 550 yards on the ground their last two games. The Gators have had a week to prepare. According to Napier, the Gators put in a hard, productive week of work.   “I do think our football team got better,” Napier said Monday at his weekly press conference. “We had three really good practices Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. I think the staff and the players did a great job competing. I think they competed; all three days were very competitive. One of the better open dates I've been a part of. I think we're hopeful we improved in a lot of areas that can help our team going forward.”   The Gators will have to be better to win this game, just as they will have to be better with a schedule whose four games after UCF are (at) No. 4 Tennessee, Kentucky, No. 5 Georgia and (at) No. 2 Texas.   The schedule is the toughest in the country and only the most optimistic believe Napier can win enough games to survive. Florida’s players are aware the pressure Napier is under, but quarterback Graham Mertz says, there is absolutely no quit in this team.   “We're not going to quit on each other,” Mertz said. “I think that if there was a camera in our indoor for the entire bye week just watching practice, people would be, like, why do they have that juice? Why are they practicing in a bye like this, but it all comes down to we care about each other, we're not going to let each other down. We're never going to quit on each other because we're all we've got right now. It's all the people in this building and no one's quitting.” COUNTDOWN TO FIRING DAY: WEEK FOUR On Life Support Billy Napier, Florida: It’s week-to-week for Billy. Win this week against UCF and he lives to coach another week. Lose to UCF and it’s almost certain he won’t be on the headset when the Gators face Tennessee in Neyland Stadium on October 12. Napier wants another year to prove himself and believes all the good things he’s done to elevate the Florida football culture have earned another year. The boosters who write the big checks that pay the bills and Napier’s more than $7 million a season salary don’t seem to see it that way, however.      Stan Drayton, Temple: Stan is a fine assistant coach and an exceptional recruiter. He might be a good head coach at a school committed to good football, which Shirley Temple is not. He’s 1-4 this year and any win among the last eight will be an upset.   Sonnie Cumbie, Louisiana Tech: The Bulldogs lost to Florida International and they couldn’t generate any offense. They won’t fire him until the end of the year because they don’t have buyout money. Cumbie is 7-20 career, proof that the Peter Principle is correct. He’s a fine OC, a lousy HBC.   Joe Moorhead, Akron: The Zips are 1-4 this year, their four losses by a combined 155 points. He’s 5-23 at the school. The powers that be at Akron seem to think they’re capable of competing for MAC championships. They need to spend more money, but instead they’ll make Moorhead take the blame.     Will Hall, Southern Miss: It wasn’t all that long ago that Southern Miss was winning football games but they’re 1-3 this year, the three losses by a combined 93 points. There are some winnable games on the schedule, but if James Madison hangs 60 on them, Will Hall can pack up his office belongings in boxes.   Mike Bloomgren, Rice: They really don’t like firing coaches at Rice where the average freshman SAT is somewhere between 1490 and 1550. But they would prefer a coach who gets the Owls close to .500 every year. It won’t happen this year. This could be it for Bloomgren. He’s 1-4. Win four more and he stays. Anything less he goes.       Mike Neu, Ball State: He’s an On Life Support regular but this time he probably gets the axe. Even a school that doesn’t spend a lot of money on football gets embarrassed when James Madison leaves you bleeding in the tall grass to the tune of 63-7. Neu is 38-58 career in eight previous seasons so it’s pretty obvious winning is not exactly in the cards.   Endangered Species List Hugh Freeze, Auburn: Auburn is 2-3, 0-2 in the SEC and needless to say, the natives are rather restless. They will be even more restless after Saturday because the Fighting Freezes have to go to Athens. Hugh isn’t going to be fired this year, but next year he better win eight or he’ll be unemployed.     Dave Aranda, Baylor: The Bears have lost their last two and the rest of the schedule is daunting by Big 12 standards. When Texas and Oklahoma left for the SEC, everyone thought Baylor would contend but it’s looking like the Bears will be bottom feeders. If he loses big to Iowa State this weekend he might not survive October.     Sam Pittman, Arkansas: Everybody loves Sam, but they aren’t convinced he can win consistently. You would think that with go-zillionaires with last names like Walton, Tyson, Reynolds and Hunt they would have spent big to begin with. He’s 26-26 career, 3-2 this year with Tennessee, LSU, Ole Miss and Texas still on the schedule.     Mike Houston, East Carolina: The Pirates are 3-2 after taking down UT-San Antonio. Charlotte is winnable followed by Army at West Point, which is very losable. After that it’s three straight games ECU should win. Seven wins buys another year.   Clay Helton, Georgia Southern: The Eagles are 3-2 and there are at least four winnable games remaining on the schedule. He won’t get fired with seven wins but 6-6 will be dicey.     Jim McElwain, Central Michigan: Two straight wins have the Chips sitting 3-2 with seven to go, of which they will be underdogs in five. Old Yeller needs break even to stay gainfully employed.   Don Brown, UMass: The Minutemen are 1-4 and they’re going to get hosed their next two games – Northern Illinois and Missouri. Brown is 5-21 career at UMass. At most places that gets you fired, but they have no money so he probably coaches next year no matter how they finish.   Mike Norvell, Florida State: There is this juicy rumor circulating among Seminoles that if Norvell wanted to go somewhere else, they wouldn’t hold him to the buyout. They’re that disgusted with a 1-4 start and five games without cracking 300 yards of offense. The next three are Clemson followed by unbeatens Duke and Miami. Bad juju in Tallahassee for sure.   Kenni Burns, Kent State: This is the same school where Don James coached, the school that produced future great coaches such as Lou Holtz, Nick Saban and Gary Pinkel and all-time great middle linebacker Jack Lambert. The alums think 1-15 in two seasons isn’t getting it done for some strange reason. If he’s fired it won’t be until the end of the year. If he stays it’s because they can’t afford the buyout.   ONE FINAL PITHY THOUGHT: Pete Rose died Monday at the age of 83. He holds the Major League Baseball record for hits (4,256) and games played (3,562). He was a 17-time All-Star, a 3-time National League batting champion, a 2-time Gold Glove winner and the National League MVP in 1973.   If it were only about what he did on the field, Pete Rose would be in the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown. Pete gambled on baseball both as a player and as a manager, earning a lifetime ban and exclusion from the Hall of Fame. Pete went to his grave believing his on-the-field accomplishments should have overridden the gambling but it’s a ban that almost certainly will never be lifted.   I remember the sour feeling I had in my stomach the day baseball commissioner Bart Giamatti announced that Pete Rose was suspended because he had gambled on baseball. It must have been the same that kid had back in 1920 when a grand jury found Shoeless Joe Jackson guilty of fixing games in the 1919 World Series between the Chicago White Sox and the Cincinnati Reds.   Legend has it a kid who looked up to Joe Jackson said, “Say it ain’t so, Joe!”   I wanted to burst out with “Say it ain’t so, Pete!” but it was so and I knew it. Bart Giammati wouldn’t have suspended Pete if he didn’t have rock solid evidence.   Pete spent years denying he gambled on baseball. When he finally got around to admitting it, he thought his greatness as a player would open the door for him to be reinstated to the game so he could be enshrined in the Hall of Fame. Of course, he was never reinstated or forgiven. He committed baseball’s unpardonable sin.   Over the years, I’ve reached the conclusion that it was Pete Rose’s monumental ego that did him in. I believe as a manager Pete grew weary of dealing with players who had neither the drive or ability that he had and he looked for new thrills. He knew gambling on the game was wrong but I believe his ego got the best of him. I believe that Pete Rose thought he was bigger than the game, so big that he could get away with anything. When he got caught and suspended, he did what his ego told him to do, which is to be absorbed by total denial.   I would prefer to remember the Pete Rose who earned the nickname “Charlie Hustle” because he ran to first base on walks and dove head first into second and third. I would prefer to remember the Pete Rose who would sign autograph after autograph, almost always offering words of encouragement to kids who looked up to him.   Unfortunately, I have trouble remembering that Pete Rose because he gambled on baseball and when given so many opportunities over so many years to admit the truth, he lived a lie. What a shame.

UCF's porous pass defense could be like target practice for Graham Mertz (Photo by Chris Spears) A few thoughts to jump start your Monday morning: Make no mistake about it, Saturday night at The Swamp will be the equivalent of the Super Bowl for UCF (3-1). It’s not a Big 12 matchup for the Knights, but to UCF fans, a chance to beat the Florida Gators (2-2) in Gainesville means much, much more.   We saw it in December of 2021 when UCF clocked the Gators, 29-17, in the Gasparilla Bowl in Tampa. You could call this the Catfish Bowl since among bowl games it is one of the true bottom feeders, but UCF fans showed up in force at Raymond James Stadium that night and they didn’t stop celebrating for days when they ran over, under, around and through the Florida defense for 288 yards.   This was UCF’s first win ever over the Gators in football, a chance for “little brother” to punch “big brother” in the nose. The passage of time hasn’t changed a thing. UCF fans still feel the need to punch big brother Florida in the nose. UCF wants more than just the respect that membership in a power conference offers. The Big 12 is important for sure, but UCF is the only Big 12 school in the state of Florida. The next closest Big 12 school to UCF is West Virginia, some 889 miles away as the crow flies. UCF doesn’t have to live with droves of WVU fans on a daily basis.   They do have to share the same state with the Gators and the only way to earn respect is to beat the Gators. And, what better place to do it than The Swamp? That this game is so important to UCF’s measure of in-state self-esteem and so critical to Florida head coach Billy Napier’s job security probably has a lot to do with the Gators being 1-point favorites at home.   Beating UCF isn’t going to save Napier’s job but losing to the Knights might cause powerful boosters to call in their markers with the UF administration, which is certainly feeling blowtorch-level heat. Figure that even with a win Napier is on a week-to-week survival mode given that Florida’s next four opponents are No. 4 Tennessee, Kentucky, Georgia and Texas.   For the Gators to prevent UCF from turning The Swamp into its own personal playground, they are going to have to figure a way to stuff a UCF ground game that averages 326 yards a game, second nationally to Army. Florida’s run defense has been AWOL the last two games, giving up 310 yards to Texas A&M and 240 to Mississippi State.   If the Gators are unable to stop UCF’s running game, they’ll have to win this in shootout fashion with their passing game. That, of course, depends on Florida’s offensive line giving Graham Mertz and DJ Lagway adequate time to throw. Given UCF’s leaky pass defense (TCU and Colorado combined for 692 yards and seven TDs) and inadequate pass rush (three sacks in four games) this could be target practice for Mertz and Lagway. Mertz is hitting 75 percent of his passes for 8.7 per attempt while Lagway is hitting 66.7 percent for 12.1 per attempt.   In a best case scenario, the week off since the Mississippi State win allowed the Gators to get their defensive act together and iron out the pass protection problems on the offensive line. If the Gators were unable to resolve either of those two issues, Saturday night could be disastrous.   Associated Press top 25: 1. Alabama 4-0; 2. Texas 5-0; 3. Ohio State 4-0; 4. Tennessee 4-0; 5. Georgia 3-1; 6. Oregon 4-0; 7. Penn State 4-0; 8. Miami 5-0; 9. Missouri 4-0; 10. Michigan 4-0; 11. Southern California 3-1; 12. Ole Miss 4-1; 13. LSU 4-1; 14. Notre Dame 4-1; 15. Clemson 3-1; 16. Iowa State 4-0; 17. BYU 5-0; 18. Utah 4-1; 19. Oklahoma 4-1; 20. Kansas State 4-1; 21. Boise State 3-1; 22. Louisville 3-1; 23. Indiana 5-0; 24. Illinois 4-1; 25. (TIE) Texas A&M 4-1 and UNLV 4-0   AFCA Coaches top 25: 1. Texas 5-0; 2. Alabama 4-0; 3. Ohio State 4-0; 4. Tennessee 4-0; 5. Georgia 3-1; 6. Oregon 4-0; 7. Penn State 4-0; 8. Miami 5-0; 9. Missouri 4-0; 10. Michigan 4-1; 11. Ole Miss 4-1; 12. LSU 4-1; 13. Notre Dame 4-1; 14. Clemson 3-1; 15. Southern California 3-1; 16. Iowa State 4-0; 17. Oklahoma 4-1; 18. Utah 4-1; 19. BYU 5-0; 20. Kansas State 4-1; 21. Texas A&M 4-1; 22. Louisville 3-1; 23. UNLV 4-0; 24. Indiana 4-0; 25. Illinois 4-1   SEC FOOTBALL No. 1 Alabama (4-0, 1-0 SEC): Ryan Williams, who scored the game-winning touchdown against Georgia on a spectacular catch/run, has caught 16 passes for 462 yards (26.88 yards per catch) and five touchdowns. He’s only 17 years old and a freshman … Jalen Milroe threw for 374 yards and ran for 117 against Georgia. Most betting sites have him the favorite to win the Heisman Trophy. Next week: at Vanderbilt (2-2, 0-1 SEC)   Arkansas (3-2, 1-1 SEC): The Razorbacks move the ball extremely well (495 yards per game), but they have troubles hanging on to it. The Razorbacks have lost four fumbles and thrown five interceptions … Ja’Quinden Jackson has run for 509 yards. Next week: No. 4 Tennessee (4-0, 1-0 SEC)   Auburn (2-3, 0-2 SEC): Payton Thorne threw for three touchdowns against Oklahoma, but he threw a pick six with four minutes left that cost the Tigers the game … The Tigers rank dead last in the SEC in turnovers with six fumbles lost and nine interceptions thrown. Next week: at No. 5 Georgia (3-1, 1-1 SEC)   No. 5 Georgia (3-1, 1-1 SEC): Carson Beck threw for 439 yards and three touchdowns against Alabama, but he also threw his first three interceptions of the year, plus fumbled the ball away once … Georgia was only 3-15 on third down against Bama, but 5-5 on fourth down. Next week: Auburn (2-3, 0-2 SEC)   Kentucky (3-2, 1-2 SEC): The Kentucky defense held Ole Miss to just 92 rushing yards. The Rebels had run for at least 200 yards in each of their previous four games … Brock Vandagriff had his best game of the season against Ole Miss, throwing for 243 yards and a TD without throwing an interception. Next week: Open   No. 16 LSU (4-1, 1-0 SEC): Garrett Nussmeier has thrown for 1,656 yards (8.3 per attempt) with 15 TDPs and only four interceptions … The Tigers have converted 31-60 on third down this season. Next week: Open   Mississippi State (1-4, 0-2 SEC): The open date couldn’t have come soon enough for the Bulldogs, who have to refurb the offense to fit the skills of redshirt freshman QB Michael Van Buren Jr. Next week: Open   No. 9 Missouri (4-0, 1-0 SEC): The Tigers allow only 219 yards per game, which is second in the SEC, third nationally … Former Gators Chris McClellan is third on the team with 17 tackles. Next week: at No. 2 Texas A&M (4-1, 2-0 SEC)   No. 19 Oklahoma (4-1, 1-1 SEC): Through five games, the Sooners have forced 13 opponent turnovers. The Sooners have five interceptions and eight fumble recoveries … In his first start at quarterback, freshman Michael Hawkins Jr. completed 10-15 passes for 161 yards while running for 69 and a TD. Next week: Open   No. 12 Ole Miss (4-1, 0-1 SEC): Penalties continue to be an issue for the Rebels, who average 8.2 per game for -83.4 yards. That’s dead last in the SEC. Pass interference calls were costly in the 20-17 loss to Kentucky … The Rebels had at least 607 yards of offense in their first four games, but only 353 against Kentucky. Next week: at South Carolina (3-1, 1-1 SEC)   South Carolina (3-1, 2-1 SEC): The Gamecocks, who have 14 sacks in four games, have to be salivating about getting to Ole Miss QB Jaxson Dart, who was sacked four times by Kentucky. Next week: No. 12 Ole Miss (4-1, 0-1 SEC)   No. 4 Tennessee (4-0, 1-0 SEC): The Vols are No. 2 nationally in total defense (176 yards per game). They will have to deal with an Arkansas offense that is averaging 495 yards per game. Next week: at Arkansas (3-2, 1-1 SEC)   No. 2 Texas (5-0, 1-0 SEC): For all the talk about the Texas offense, the defense ranks sixth nationally, giving up just 228.2 yards per game and 3.75 yards per play … Arch Manning threw for 324 yards and two TDs plus ran for another in the Longhorns’ win over Mississippi State. Next week: Open   No. 25 Texas A&M (4-1, 2-0 SEC): The Aggies held Arkansas to 100 rushing yards while sacking QB Taylen Green three times … The win over Arkansas was the Aggies’ third straight with Marcel Reed at QB. Reed threw for two touchdowns and ran for one against the Razorbacks. Next week: No. 9 Missouri (4-0, 1-0 SEC)   Vanderbilt (2-2, 0-1 SEC): New Mexico State transfer quarterback Diego Pavia is thriving at Vanderbilt under Tim Beck, who was his offensive coordinator last year at NMSU. Beck has the Commodores scoring 37 points a game while Pavia has thrown for 721 yards and six TDs. Pavia has run for 279 yards and two TDs. Next week: No. 1 Alabama (4-0, 1-0 SEC)   AROUND THE STATE Florida Atlantic (2-3, 0-1 American): The Owls struggle in the passing game because they keep completing passes to the other team. So far FAU has two TDPs and six interceptions thrown. Next week: Open   Florida International (2-3, 1-0 Conference USA): The Panthers won their Conference USA opener, bolting out to a 14-0 lead over Louisiana Tech, then holding on for a 17-10 win. Next week: Open   Florida State (1-4, 1-3 ACC): The Seminoles made it five consecutive games with fewer than 300 yards of offense. FSU ranks 125th nationally in total offense at 278.2 yards per game. Next week: No. x Clemson (3-1, 2-0 ACC)   No. 8 Miami (5-0, 1-0 ACC): It took a controversial reversal of a touchdown call on a Hail Mary pass for Miami to escape with a 38-34 win over Virginia Tech. The Hurricanes did gain 508 yards in the game, their fifth straight game in which they’ve gained at least 500 yards. Next week: at California (3-1, 0-1 ACC)   South Florida (2-3, 0-1 American): In their three losses, the Bulls have allowed 137 points. Next week: Open   UCF (3-1, 1-1 Big 12): UCF was held to 177 rushing yards in the loss to Colorado. Coming into the game, UCF was averaging 375 yards per game on the ground. Next week: at FLORIDA (2-2, 1-1 SEC)   ONE FINAL PITHY THOUGHT: Saturday night, sixth-year quarterback Hajj-Malik Williams, an Atlanta native who spent the previous five years quarterbacking the Campbell Camels of the D1AA Coastal Athletic Association, completed 13-16 passes for 182 yards and three TDs while running for 119 yards and another TD to lead UNLV to a 59-14 win over Fresno State. This is important because earlier in the week Matthew Sluka, another D1AA transfer (from Holy Cross) walked out on his teammates over an alleged promise of $100,000 NIL money from one of the UNLV assistant coaches. UNLV and the collective that represents the football program say no promise was made.   Who is right and who is wrong will be determined at some point down the road, but for now Matthew Sluka has boxed himself into a corner by walking out on his teammates. Perhaps in his mind and the mind of his agent, Marcus Cromartie, he did the right thing by refusing to play. By leaving the team when he did, he can play someplace else in 2025, but honestly, what coach in his right mind wants a QB who walked out on his teammates?   That’s a dilemma facing any player who decides to enter the transfer portal if and when his coach is fired during the collegiate season. Walk out on teammates and you’ve labeled yourself a quitter and perhaps a malcontent. No coach wants that in his locker room.   Meanwhile, there is Hajj-Malik Williams, who showed what he could do when given a chance. The moment Sluka departed, teammates said Williams should have been starting at QB all along. Obviously, Williams justified their faith in him.   What this incident proves is that someone needs to come up with practical solutions to NIL in a hurry. The Sluka case and that of former Florida signee Jalen Rashada only emphasize that this is a wild west show where there are no guardrails. Sooner or later it’s going to bite someone in a very big way.

Some people say Gus Malzahn has been lying in the weeds all these years, waiting for the time to ambush the Florida Gators. Would this be Knight Time? Looks like a good opportunity for them to make a splash.  First, a big national game with Deion Sanders’ flashy-without-much-substance-Colorado Buffaloes, cued up for the popular Big Noon Saturday Fox pregame show this week, featu s for Central Florida? “It’s not a good place – it’s a great place to coach. People have won there before, all the way back to George O’Leary. Others, too. (Scott) Frost won there and claimed a national championship. Right in the heart of great recruiting country.   “This (next two weekends) will be a good test for them.”   Urban is also very impressed with Malzahn. “He’s one of those guys who got fired at Auburn. Go ask them now if they’d like to have him back.”   Saturday’s game is a national showcase with UCF in the spotlight as a new Big 12 member.   "But I can’t believe that it’s a 14-point spread (UCF -13.5),” said Urban.   Then it’s on to The Swamp to press an advantage against the struggling Gators. This could be a quantum leap for the UCF program, bolstered by the new Big 12 credentials and the clout of a top 16 Orlando TV market.   A chance, as they say, to make hay.   Can UCF strip away Florida’s last piece of dignity as the Sunshine State’s former Big Daddy? UCF’s rushing offense is now No. 1 in the country with 375.67 yards per game.   Not so fast, says Coach Meyer, who has big respect for Malzahn and admires his running attack. But he doesn’t see this as a “takeover,” even if the Knights come into The Swamp and pull off the win. “It takes a long time to build a brand like the Florida Gators.”   BTW, Florida has sold out a ninth consecutive home game and is 4-4 over its last eight sellout home games.   Quick Jump Starts --Josh Heupel is already my favorite candidate for SEC Coach of the year. --Angel Reese says she is “taking back my voice.” Good.  And while you’re at it, Dennis Rodman wants his attitude back. --Congrats to Brandon Sproat, who pitched his way up to Triple-A and was named the Mets Minor League Pitcher of the Year, also tabbed the organization’s Player of the Year by Baseball America. —Jamey Chadwell is still the odds-on favorite to become Florida’s next coach. --Billy Napier is still the odds-on favorite to become the first coach fired — although if would seem Auburn’s Hugh Freeze is closing fast.      Xs Formerly Known As Tweets   From Fire Sunbelt Billy—??? “Sources say we are hiring Corch Irving Meyers.” (Note: Don’t those “sources” at least have to know his name?)   Now this one I like and admire because we need the humor. From Blue-Orange Gator BREAKING: FSU QB DJ Uiagalelei has decided NOT to redshirt and enter the transfer portal, despite urges and pleas to do so. He was promised $800k in NIL, and received all of it, to Rising Spear’s dismay.   Could Commanders Kliff Kingsbury ‘s name be added? Some say the Washington Commanders offensive coordinator looks to be a possible candidate for the Florida Gators head job (I am not one of them). Jayden Daniels just played the game of his life. Set an NFL record for the highest completion percentage in a game ever for a rookie. Had more total touchdowns than incompletions.   It’s The Defense, Dummies In Billy Napier’s first season, the Gators averaged 424.1 yards, 29.5 points per game, 64.5 plays and 6.58 yards per game. Opponents averaged 411 yards, 28.8 points, 69.5 plays and 6.57 yards per play. Year two, the Gators averaged 409.1 yards, 28.4 points, 59.3 plays and 6.05 yards per play while opponents had 382.3 yards, 27.6 points, 67.5 plays and 6.44 yards per play. Four games into 2024, the Gators are averaging 31.8 points and 424.3 yards while opponents are averaging 425.5 yards, 27.3 points, 74.5 plays and 5.69 yards per play.  RIP Vel Heck man, One Of Gators’ First Legit All-Americans From Steve Spurrier’s post: Sad to hear that the Mar-VEL-ous Vel Heckman passed away this week. I was honored that he and his family at our restaurant and that I got to spend some time talking with the oldest Gator. Mr. Heckman played tackle for the Gators from 1954-1958. He was a first-team All-American in 1958 and was on the team the first time ever Florida played that school out west. (A 21-7 win for the Gators) God bless the friends and family of Mr. Heckman. (I knew Vel, who was highly regarded by both his teammates and opponents.) When It Comes To Hurricanes... First off, our thoughts and prayers go out to everyone in the path of Hurricane Helene. We were blessed to have gotten out of Panama City several days ago and landed back in Ocala, thanks to a heads up call from my stepson, Tommy Ford, the sheriff of Bay County. After my experience in 2004 of being in the middle of Hurricane Charley in Punta Gorda, I promised to be a coward from then on. So we were on high ground, safe and dry. These past three weeks, we’ve had three “events” counting Helena. First, we both came down with Covid. Then I lost my wallet with all our ids, debit cards, driver license, etc. Lost it IN our apartment, but after three days we gave up and started rebuilding our life. This is in no way minimizing the other things, but by far the most stressful of these was losing the wallet and having to deal with government agencies and banks. Ugh! Don’t ever lose your wallet!

Losing Princely Umanmielen (33) to Ole Miss was a huge blow to Florida's defense (Photo by Chris Spears) Since the advent of what equates to free agency in college football, an old saying has been paraphrased to “The portal giveth and the portal taketh away.” At Florida, Billy Napier has tried to make careful use of the portal, choosing to pick players he believes will fit best in the culture he’s trying to build at UF.   Culture is good, but it helps to bring in players who also make an impact on the field. In the case of Billy Napier and the Gators, he might have a tight locker room filled with players who have each other’s backs, but there has been a lack of productivity out of the defensive transfers in particular. That’s a problem that dates back to when Napier was named head coach in December of 2021 with the perfect example Mohamoud Diabate and Ty’Ron Hopper.   In 2022, Mohamoud Diabate was in on 58 tackles for the Utah Utes. That included five sacks, 13.5 tackles for loss, a pass breakup, a quarterback hurry and a forced fumble. The year before at the University of Florida, Diabate was in on 89 tackles, second best total on the team. Diabate now plays for the Cleveland Browns in the NFL.   That same year, Ty’Ron Hopper was in on 78 tackles for the Missouri Tigers. He had 2.5 sacks, 14 tackles for loss, four pass breakups, six quarterback hurries and a forced fumble. At Missouri for his senior season in 2023, Hopper The year before playing for the Florida Gators, Hopper had 62 tackles, 2.5 sacks, 8.0 tackles for loss, a pair of pass breakups and a quarterback hurry and a forced fumble.       Both Diabate and Hopper played their last season at UF for Dan Mullen in 2021 rather than give Napier a chance they took to the portal. Considering the state of the UF defense in 2022 with Patrick Toney as the coordinator, it’s not difficult to imagine that the Florida defense could have been a lot better with Diabate and Hopper as the starting linebackers. Florida gave up 411 yards and 28.8 points per game in 2022, finishing dead last in the Southeastern Conference in total defense. That was a season marred by missed tackles and an inability to get off the field on third down.   Florida’s defense was slightly better than 2022 in 2023 (from 12th to 11th in the SEC; from 97th to 71st nationally) with Austin Armstrong game planning and making the calls on game day. The 2023 defense, with Ron Roberts in charge, has reverted back to 2022 and then some. The Gators are 16th in total defense in an expanded SEC, showing the same give up the big play tendencies that doomed them in 2022.   The Gators have had three recruiting classes and two full seasons to grow players recruited out of high school. There has been development on the offensive side at the skill positions, but very little on the O-line. Defensively, the development has been even slower.   Slow developing recruits can be offset by judicious use of the transfer portal but when it comes to transfers, it has been a revolving door at UF. Since 2022 65 players have transferred out and 34 have transferred in – 19 on offense, 15 on defense. Offensively, Napier has had some luck, adding impact players such as All-American offensive guard O’Cyrus Torrence (2022), running back Montrell Johnson, wide receiver Ricky Pearsall and quarterback Graham Mertz. Florida’s offense hasn’t been spectacular, but it has been good and helped by the portal.   It's the defense that hasn’t been able to capitalize on the portal. The Gators have yet to bring in a true defensive impact transfer. Florida loaded up on defenders in the portal for 2024, but linebacker Grayson Howard (from South Carolina) is the only one to play with any measure of consistency. Safety Asa Turner (from Washington) was expected to have a major impact on the back end of the defense but he was injured in the season opener against Miami and hasn’t been seen since.   Meanwhile, players who have departed Florida, particularly on defense, have thrived in their new locales. If it were merely a case of personnel, it’s not a reach to think these guys would be making an impact if they were still with the Gators. But is it the players? Or, is it the coaching?   Here are some of the players who have transferred out:   Defense   DT Chris McClellan, Missouri: He has been a beast in the middle. Through four games he has 17 tackles, 1.5 sacks, 4.0 tackles for loss, two pass breakups, a QB hurry and a forced fumble. In two seasons at Florida in which he played end, tackle and on the nose defensively, he accumulated 46 tackles with two sacks.   DE Diwun Black, Temple: He’s been injured, but a year ago had 9.5 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks. He was the top junior college recruit in the country when he came to UF in 2021, but he had only seven tackles in two seasons. He transferred after an injury-filled 2022.   EDGE Antwaun Powell-Ryland Jr., Virginia Tech: He has seven sacks and two forced fumbles through five games. A year ago he had 9.5 sacks, 40 tackles, 14.5 tackles for loss and three forced fumbles. He spent two seasons at Florida. In 2022 he had 29 tackles, three sacks, six tackles for loss, four quarterback hurries and three forced fumbles.   EDGE Princely Umanmielen, Ole Miss: Second team All-SEC at UF last year. Playing for an Ole Miss defense that ranks among the national leaders he has two sacks, three tackles for loss and five quarterback hurries in four games. In four years at UF he had 103 tackles and 15 sacks.   LB Scooby Williams, Texas A&M: He’s the third-leading tackler for the Aggies with 14. It was a real surprise when he transferred out from UF after a productive 2023 in which he had 53 tackles, a sack, five quarterback hurries and two forced fumbles. In his two previous seasons at UF he had 18 tackles.   LB David Reese, California: He’s been dealing with injuries that have limited his production this year, but a year ago he had 6.5 sacks, 8.0 tackles for loss, three pass breakups, four quarterback hurries and three forced fumbles. In three seasons at Florida he played in 21 games and had nine tackles.   CB Jordan Young, Cincinnati: He has 13 tackles and two pass breakups so far this year. A year ago at Cincy he had an interception, 34 tackles and seven pass breakups. In two seasons at UF he barely sniffed the field.   CB Jadon Hill, Texas A&M: He’s having a good year in coverage with nine tackles so far. He came to UF in 2019 and in five seasons at UF had 88 tackles, two interceptions and 16 pass breakups.   CB Jalen Kimber, Penn State: He has seven tackles and a pass breakup in three games. Started his career at Georgia in 2020, then transferred to UF in 2022. In two seasons at UF he had 36 tackles, an interception that he ran back for a TD and six pass breakups.   CB Avery Helm, TCU: He has been injured this year, but a year ago he had 22 tackles, a sack, five pass breakups and a forced fumble. After a redshirt 2020 at UF, Helm had a decent 2021 with 22 tackles. Transferred out after a diminished role in 2022.   S Tre’Vez Johnson, Missouri: Already has an interception this season. A year ago had 43 tackles. Prior to Missouri Johnson had three very productive seasons with the Gators with 64 tackles and three interceptions.   S Donovan McMillan, Pittsburgh: He is a tackling machine with 35 already to go with three pass breakups, an interception and a forced fumble. A season ago, McMillan had an astounding 105 tackles. He showed promise as a freshman at UF in 2021, had 21 tackles in 2022, then transferred to Pitt.   S Jadarrius Perkins, Toledo: He has five tackles and an interception so far. He had a promising 2021 at UF, then saw diminished playing time in 2022, transferred out last year.   S Kamari Wilson, Arizona State: He was the top recruit in the 2022 class, but transferred to Arizona State where he’s struggled with injury problems. He had showed plenty of promise during his freshman year at UF in 2022 when he had 39 tackles, but played in only three games due to an injury in 2023.   Offense G Josh Braun, Arkansas: Second team All-SEC at Arkansas last year. He started seven games at UF in 2021, one as a true freshman in 2020. He only played in two games in 2022 then transferred to Arkansas.   Gerald Mincey, Kentucky: Transferred to Tennessee after Napier became head coach. Made 13 starts in two seasons at UT. Starts at right tackle for Kentucky.   RB Trevor Etienne, Georgia: Heading into the game with Alabama he was averaging 6.5 yards per carry for the Bulldogs. In two seasons at Florida he gained 1,472 yards, averaging 5.9 per carry with 14 touchdowns. He also caught 30 passes for 238 yards and a TD.   G Jalen Farmer, Kentucky: He played in four games in two seasons at Florida. He’s a starter on Kentucky’s O-line.   T Michael Tarquin, Oklahoma: He’s the starter at right tackle for the Sooners after transferring following one year at Southern Cal where he had eight starts in 11 games. In four years at Florida he played in 34 games with 10 starts, eight in 2022 at both left and right tackle.   G Micah Mazzccua, Nebraska: Starts at right guard for the Cornhuskers. At Florida in 2023 he started at right guard in 11 of the 12 games he played. Played in 20 games with 10 starts at Baylor prior to Florida.   WR Caleb Douglas, Texas Tech: He has caught 15 passes for 200 yards and a TD at Texas Tech this year. In two seasons at Florida, he caught 21 for 308 yards and three touchdowns. He caught 11 for 133 yards and a TD last year at Florida before going down for the season in the fifth game.   WR Daejon Reynolds, Pittsburgh: Only one catch for 40 yards and a TD this season at Pitt. A year ago caught 28 passes for 316 yards. In two seasons at Florida he caught 12 passes for 239 yards and two touchdowns, 11-244 and two TDs under Napier in 2022.

With the Gators off with a well needed bye. GatorBait travels to Orlando. By Loren Meadows, GatorBaitMedia.com , Football Analyst FBC Mortgage Stadium, Orlando, Florida (GatorBait Photo) -ORLANDO The Florida Gators spent a relatively quiet off week certainly taking a long look at personnel and priorities. While the offense has been improved the Florida defense has been historically poor missing over 20 tackles in the win against Mississippi State. Florida ranks last in the SEC in total defense surrendering 425.5 yards per game and has been inconsistent in its first four outings. Defensively there have been bright spots. Linebackers Shemar James and Pup Howard have been solid while Jason Marshall Jr. and Trikweze Bridges have played well on the back end. Marshall is rated at the top of the list in man coverage according to Pro Football Focus and he seems to have overcome the confidence issues that plagued his up and down junior season. Bridges, who played well last weekend in Starkville totaling 10 tackles and a pass breakup. The most glaring issue on defense and maybe the entire Florida team has been the play or lack thereof of the defensive line. While struggling as whole Florida has been extremely poor against the run. The defensive line has spent much of their four contest in the laps of the linebackers putting the likes of Howard and James in peril. Not a good sign when the next opponent currently lead the NCAA in rushing. The University of Central Florida will arrive in Gainesville with its running game under its arm and possibly beaming with confidence depending on what happens later this afternoon. Central Florida welcomes one of college football's most intriguing team to the Bounce House, the Colorado Buffaloes led by NFL Hall of Famer Deion Sanders. The Buffaloes feature one of the nation's most explosive players Travis Hunter and possible number one pick quarterback Shedeur Sanders. Despite the star power of the Buffaloes, Central Florida is a 12-point favorite at home. That is probably due to Central Florida having some star power of their own in Arkansas transfer KJ Jefferson at quarterback and running back RJ Harvey. Harvey is third in the nation in rushing, while Jefferson leads the high paced attack. Harvey's 149 rushing yards per game is an indication of what the Gators may face next week and hopefully something Napier and staff focused on as they reassessed the roster, rotations, and schemes this week. GatorBaitMedia.com will be on location at the Central Florida-Colorado game and will report what we see from the Gators next opponent. Central Florida continues to be a consistent up and coming program and is posied to make their mark the next two weeks against high profile oppenents. The Gators continue to be the dominant brand in the state if not the southeaast and will not take kindly to little brother walking on their grass despite what happens in Orlando today. Coach Napier and his staff will most certainly be tuned in and they should be.

His Overall Numbers Are Impressive, But Would He be Allowed To Hire The Next Football Coach?

A few thoughts to jump start your Tuesday morning The text came in even before the sun rose Monday morning. It read, “You trash the defense, but what about Napier and the offense! It sucks, too.”   So a little research was done and the results might surprise you. In Billy Napier’s first season at UF, the Gators averaged 424.1 yards, 29.5 points per game, 64.5 plays and 6.58 yards per game. Opponents averaged 411 yards, 28.8 points, 69.5 plays and 6.57 yards per play. Year two, the Gators averaged 409.1 yards, 28.4 points, 59.3 plays and 6.05 yards per play while opponents had 382.3 yards, 27.6 points, 67.5 plays and 6.44 yards per play. Four games into 2024, the Gators are averaging 31.8 points and 424.3 yards while opponents are averaging 425.5 yards, 27.3 points, 74.5 plays and 5.69 yards per play.   The defensive numbers are atrocious. The last time the Gators had an exceptional defense was 2019 when they finished second in the SEC, allowing 15.5 points, 304.8 yards, 4.9 yards per play and 62.2 plays per game. That defense finished ninth nationally in total defense, eighth against the run and fifth in sacks.   What does this have to do with the offense? Plenty. Florida’s offense has been eighth or better in the SEC since Napier arrived. Not bad but it could be much better with more plays. Consider what a 10 percent reduction in opponents’ plays and yards per game would mean for the offense. More yards, more time of possession and chances are, more points per game.   The numbers tell quite a story. It really is about the defense. Despite the issues on the offensive line, the offense has done its part.   UF VOLLEYBALL: STUCKY, ROE EARN SEC HONORS What a difference getting an All-American setter back means for Mary Wise and the 15th-ranked Florida Gators (9-2), who begin Southeastern Conference play Thursday night in Norman against unranked Oklahoma (6-2). Alexis Stucky, back from an ACL injury that perhaps cost the Gators a chance to make the 2023 Final Four, started her first game of the 2024 season Sunday against non-conference Buffalo. The numbers: 32 assists, eight digs, three kills, two blocks and an ace. For that she was named SEC Setter of the Week. Middle blocker Alec Rothe, who hit .559 in three matches last week with 10 kills against FSU, was selected SEC Freshman of the Week.   SEC FOOTBALL No. 4 Alabama (3-0, 0-0 SEC): When describing Georgia quarterback Carson Beck, who the Crimson Tide will face Saturday, defensive coordinator Kane Wommack said, “As good as it comes in college football right now. Incredibly efficient with his decision making.” Saturday: No. 2 Georgia (3-0, 1-0 SEC)   Arkansas (3-1, 1-0 SEC): Backup running back Rashad Dubinion has been suspended indefinitely for a violation of team rules. In three games in which he’s played this year, Dubinion had three carries for 15 yards. For his career, Dubinion has 568 rushing yards. Saturday: No. 24 Texas A&M (3-1, 1-0 SEC) in Arlington Texas   Auburn (2-2, 0-1 SEC): Addressing the Tigers’ loss to Arkansas, HBC Hugh Freeze said, “I love Sam Pittman. I hope he wins the rest of his games, but the hard truth is if we played them nine more times, we beat them nine times.” Five turnovers might have had something to do with Auburn’s loss. Saturday: No. 21 Oklahoma (3-1, 0-1 SEC)   No. 2 Georgia (3-0, 1-0 SEC): To prep for their game against Alabama in Tuscaloosa Saturday, which will be played before a packed house of more than 100,000 at Bryant-Denny Stadium, Georgia is playing “Sweet Home Alabama” during practice. Saturday: at No. 4 Alabama (3-0, 0-0 SEC)   Kentucky (2-2, 0-2 SEC): While the Ole Miss offense gets so much attention, the defense is the best in the nation against the run (34.5 yards per game, 1.11 yards per carry) and tied for first with Texas in scoring defense (5.5 points per game). The Rebels are ranked 12th nationally in total defense. Saturday: at No. 6 Ole Miss (4-0, 0-0 SEC)   No. 14 LSU (3-1, 1-0 SEC): Even though best player Harold Perkins is done for the year with a torn ACL, HBC Brian Kelly says the defense is “not going to fall apart or lose our identity. You feel bad for the individual more than anything else. He’s a great player but it takes all 11 players. The Tigers have the No. 14 defense in the Southeastern Conference … Quarterback Garrett Nussmeier was selected SEC co-Offensive Player of the Week for his performance against UCLA. Nussmeier threw for 352 yards and three TDs. Bradyn Swinson, who had two sacks, was named SEC co-Defensive Lineman of the Week. Saturday: South Alabama (2-2)   Mississippi State (1-3, 0-1 SEC): Injured running back Kevone Lee will miss several weeks. He’s being replaced in the starting lineup by Davon Booth, who has run for 133 yards and two touchdowns this season. Lee has gained 140 yards and scored a TD. Saturday: at No. 1 Texas (4-0)   No. 11 Missouri (4-0, 1-0 SEC): HBC Eli Drinkwitz said Monday, “We’re 4-0, so we’re as good as we can record-wise, but nowhere near as good as we can be playing-wise … Running back Nate Noel, who ran for 199 yards in the win over Vanderbilt, was named SEC co-Offensive Player of the Week. Saturday: Open   No. 21 Oklahoma (3-1, 0-1 SEC):  Quarterback Jackson Arnold will remain benched Saturday against Auburn. Getting the start will be true freshman Michael Hawkins Jr., who came off the bench to complete 11-18 passes for 132 yards and a TD in the Sooners’ loss to Tennessee. Saturday: at Auburn (2-2, 0-1 SEC)   No. 6 Ole Miss (4-0, 0-0 SEC): The Rebels are the first team in Southeastern Conference history to post four consecutive games with more than 600 yards of offense. The Rebels lead the country in total offense (670.8 per game) and scoring (55 points per game) …   Wide receiver Tre Harris was named Reese Senior Bowl co-Offensive Player of the Week after catching 11 passes for 225 yards and two TDs against Georgia Southern. Saturday: Kentucky (2-2, 0-2 SEC)   South Carolina (3-1, 1-1 SEC): Saturday: Open   No. 5 Tennessee (4-0, 1-0 SEC): Placekicker Max Gilbert, who made all three of his field goal attempts against Oklahoma, was named SEC Special Teams Player of the Week. Joshua Josephs, who forced two fumbles and recovered one against Oklahoma, was named SEC co-Defensive Lineman of the Week. Quarterback Nico Iamaleava was named SEC Freshman of the Week for throwing for 194 yards and a TD. Saturday: Open   No. 1 Texas (4-0, 0-0 SEC): Quinn Ewers is day-to-day, so it’s likely Arch Manning will get the start Saturday against Mississippi State … Texas has been established as a 38.5-point favorite against Mississippi State. Saturday: Mississippi State (1-3, 0-1 SEC)   No. 24 Texas A&M (3-1, 1-0 SEC): Injured quarterback (shoulder) Conner Weigman will be a gametime decision Saturday when the Aggies face Arkansas. Texas A&M is 2-0 with redshirt freshman Marcel Reed starting. Saturday: Arkansas (3-1, 1-0 SEC) in Arlington Texas   Vanderbilt (3-1, 0-1 SEC): Vanderbilt ranks 12th in the SEC in total defense, 14th in total offense … The Commodores and No. 4 Alabama will kickoff at 4:15 p.m. on October 5, a game broadcast on the SEC Network. Saturday: Open   COUNTDOWN TO FIRING DAY: WEEK THREE On Life Support Billy Napier, Florida: The win over Mississippi State bought him two weeks, but what happens on October 5 when UCF comes to town. The Knights have the best running game in the country and the Gators couldn't even stop Mississippi State's ground game that came into the game averaging 97 yards per. Patience is wearing thin. The next loss has the feel of the last straw.   Stan Drayton, Temple: The Owls got a win – big shock! – over Utah State but there may be one more winnable game on the schedule. Stan is a great running backs coach and a terrific recruiter. He’s at a dead end job at Shirley Temple.   Sonnie Cumbie, Louisiana Tech: The Bulldogs are 1-3 with four winnable games in a row. Break even will save his job so that means 5-3 the rest of the way.   Joe Moorehead, Akron: The Zips were clocked by South Carolina in a paycheck game. It’s MAC teams the rest of the way. Four wins would double last year’s total but that might be a pipe dream.   Will Hall, Southern Miss: The Eagles got hosed by Jacksonville State Saturday. They are 1-3, their three losses by a combined 94 points. Hard times in Hattiesburg. Three wins would be an accomplishment. Buzzards are circling.   Mike Bloomgren, Rice: The Owls are 1-3, their only win over D1AA Texas Southern. They have low standards for football at Rice. Bloomgren survives with four or five wins, but that’s going to be difficult. He desperately needs at win against Charlotte.   Endangered Species List Hugh Freeze, Auburn: They aren’t going to fire him this year unless he has a truly atrocious loss, but he will be on one of the shorter leashes imaginable next year. He banked all his chips on being able to transform Payton Thorne into a decent QB and he’s what he’s always been, which is good against bad teams, bad against good ones.   Dave Aranda, Baylor: Baylor is 2-2 and of the eight remaining games on the schedule, four seem winnable and four very losable. After Colorado beat him on a ridiculous Hail Mary Saturday the Welcome Wagon isn’t stopping by the Aranda household in Wacky Waco.   Sam Pittman, Arkansas: The Razorbacks are 3-1 and feeling good about themselves. They get the Aggies this week at Jerry’s World. A win would save Pittman. A loss and the money people start grousing again.   Mike Houston, East Carolina: The Pirates have lost their last two to even the record at 2-2. There are five winnable games still on the schedule. They won’t be happy with 7-5 in Greenville, but they won’t fire him.   Clay Helton, Georgia Southern: The bad news is the Eagles were blown out by Ole Miss. The good news is that’s the only paycheck game remaining on the schedule. It’s all Sun Belt all the way and a 5-3 record the rest of the way is do-able. At 7-5 Clay is untouchable.      Jim McElwain, Central Michigan: The Chips did a stunner by pulling out a win over Ball State so they’re 2-2 right now. San Diego State is this week. No reason for optimism over that one.   Don Brown, UMass: UMass won’t do a reverse run of the table! The Minutemen beat D1AA Central Connecticut State, famous because it’s the alma mater of Steve Addazio. UMass is 1-3 and there isn’t another winnable game until Wagner the last Saturday of October. They have no money for football at UMass and Brown works cheap.   Jim Mora Jr., UConn: He got a big win against Florida Atlantic to even the record at 2-2. He gets Buffalo at home this week followed by Shirley Temple. If he can win these two games, there is a good chance the Huskies will make a bowl game. Whodathunkit?   ONE FINAL PITHY THOUGHT: When South Florida, Memphis, Tulane and UT-San Antonio announced they will remain in the American Athletic Conference, the Pac-12 immediately announced Utah State will leave the Mountain West to join its expanding league. The Pac-12 now has seven teams for the 2026 football season – Washington State, Oregon State, Boise State, San Diego State, Colorado State and Utah State.   The Pac-12 has to add one more team to maintain its status with the NCAA. UNLV was prepared to commit to the Mountain West, but with Utah State electing to leave for the Pac-12, it will reconsider its options. UNLV could be joined in the new league by Nevada, San Jose State, Wyoming, New Mexico and/or Air Force. Air Force is a prime target of the American, which already has Army and Navy in the league.   Essentially, what we have is one league cannibalizing another. While the Pac-12 is certain to survive, what will happen with the Mountain West? The MWC could be left with only one or two teams unless it, in turn, expands to add schools from Conference USA such as UTEP, New Mexico State and other stragglers. Another possibility would be the Mountain West goes after some of the big name schools from the D1AA Big Sky and Missouri Valley Football conferences such as Montana, Montana State, Eastern Washington, Sacramento State, South Dakota State, North Dakota State and Northern Arizona.   Whatever happens isn’t going to be pretty. The worst thing about all this expansion is the ending of great rivalries. Unless a national championship is approved for the Group of Five leagues, college football is going to see athletic departments outside the power conferences go belly up.

Walter Clayton runs the offense with Kajus Kublickas defending (UAA Photo by Bryce Mitchell) It’s a new year with a lot of new faces on his team, but already Todd Golden sees an identity being forged by his 2024-25 Gators, who open their season in 40 days against South Florida in Jacksonville.   “I think we're really mature; I think we play really hard; and I think we're really unselfish,” Golden said Tuesday before the Gators practiced. “Those three things, specifically, are kind of the identity of this group. People who have been in our gym see the level of competitiveness on a day-to-day basis.”   The Gators improved from 16-17 in Golden’s first season at the helm of Florida basketball to 24-12 last year when they dropped a 102-100 decision to Colorado in the NCAA Tournament. Gone from that team are point guard Zyon Pullin, power forward Tyrese Samuel and sixth man Riley Kugel. Micah Handlogten, a 7-1 starter at center all season until he fractured his leg in the SEC Tournament Championship Game, will take a medical redshirt this season while his leg continues to mend.   Golden brought in three transfers – Alijah Martin (Florida Atlantic), Sam Alexis (Chattanooga) and Rueben Chinyelu (Washington State) – and three freshmen (Isaiah Brown, Urban Klavzar and Viktor Mikic). Returning starters Walter Clayton Jr. and Will Richard are joined by Denzel Aberdeen and last year’s freshmen, Alex Condon, Thomas Haugh and Kajus Kublickas. There is also an intriguing addition in preferred walk-on Olivier Rioux, who, at 7-9, is the tallest player in college basketball.   Based on Tuesday’s practice, the starting five is shaping up to be Clayton at the point joined by Richard and Martin on the perimeter along with bigs Condon and Chinyelu. Aberdeen, Haugh and Alexis seem to be the next three in the rotation.   The Gators of last year more or less followed the lead of Pullin at the point, who had one of the best assist-to-turnover ratios in the country and could provide some scoring. Samuel was a solid scorer and rebounder as well. Those aren’t easy guys to replace, but this year’s team makeup will take the Gators in a slightly different direction.   “I like our team,” Golden said. “The one thing that gets lost a little bit — and ZP was amazing, he did a great job for us — is that your team is not going to be the same every year. You're going to have one year where maybe you have a more ball-dominant point guard. You're going to have one year where you have more of a team where maybe you're going to spread it out more.   “This collection of players works really well together. Walt is going to have a lion's share of it, but again … Denzel is a guy we expect a lot of this year. He's going to be playing on the ball quite a bit. Whether it's Kajus, Urban, a lot of those guys are capable. Alijah and Will will have some ball-handling responsibilities. We're going to do it by committee that way. Another benefit is our front court is really good at handling the ball. So if there's time where we feel like we're getting pressured or need a little bit of help, when you have guys like Tommy and Condo, and now Rueben and Sam, all four of those guys can make good decisions. So I anticipate this team being good with the ball and being a good offensive team."    The Gators could light it up offensively a year ago when they averaged 85.6 points per game. Few teams in the country played at Florida’s frenetic offensive pace but there were issues on the defensive end. Opponents scored 79.2 per game on the Gators, going for 100 or more three times and 90 or more five times.   Golden has the right pieces for another outstanding offensive team this year, but more attention is being paid to work on the defensive end.   “We've got to maintain the level of offense we played last year; we were a top 15 offense in America, which is a good number that I would take again,” Golden said. “Clearly, we need to get better on the defensive side of the ball. That was our Achilles heel last year. We didn't spend as much time on defense last year as we did on offense and I think you could probably see that by the way we played.   “This year, we're doing a better job as a staff kind of allocating time and resources to both sides of the ball. My hope — my hope — is that that will lead up to being a better defensive team. I do think our defensive talent is better this year also, specifically the three guys we brought in from the portal. Alijah Martin is very strong and does a great job of keeping guys in front. Fights through screens and competes. Rueben is rim protector, so I think we have raised the bar there. Sam is also a great rim protector. Good feel. Understands where to be and when to be. If we can maintain our offense and improve our defense I think that's where we make our jump.”   The season is still weeks away, but the core of a team that can equal or exceed last year’s win total is in place. Now it’s simply a matter of putting in the hard work on a daily basis to be ready to be fast out the gate once the season begins in November.   “As I said before, we have a lot of work to do, but the bones of our foundation are strong that way,” Golden said. “We shoot the ball well. We're athletic, we run, we play hard. At the end of the day, as long as our guys compete I'll be okay to live with whatever happens, but we're off to a good start.”   Initial thoughts from observing practice Walter Clayton Jr.: He will be the primary ball handler this year, a scoring point guard who can both facilitate and put the ball in the basket. He’s listed same weight as last year, but his upper body is more defined. A couple of times in a fast break drill he showed why he will be one of the best combo guards in the count by accelerating through the pack, dribbling through traffic and getting an easy shot.   Will Richard: He’s always been a streaky shooter, who, when he’s on, can light it up whether guarded or not. The trick will be to find the consistency this year. From what we saw Tuesday, he was in a really good groove with his shot. Didn’t miss too many whether they were open looks or contested. Handling the ball much better and still a very elite defender.   Alijah Martin shoots before practice begins (UAA Photo by Bryce Mitchell) Alijah Martin (6-2, GR): This is a grown man. He looks like he could play linebacker in the NFL. When he dribbles the ball, it’s like a yo-yo in his hand. He is a very physical presence at both ends of the floor. Two years ago he was the best player on the Florida Atlantic team that made the Final Four.   Alex Condon (6-11, SO): He is expected to make the quantum leap from freshman who played well in spurts to consistent sophomore who gets it done at both ends of the floor. Looks more polished offensively, runs the floor, handles the ball and moves his feet on the defensive end. Had a couple of very nice passes in traffic and a couple of good finishes at the rim.   Rueben Chinyelu (6-10, SO): Pencil him in as the big who will replace Tyrese Samuel. Big, physical guy who runs the floor very well. Strong rebounder who has to work on his touch around the rim, but knows how to defend in the paint and is an intimidating presence. Seems to be a natural rebounder. Thomas Haugh dunks (UAA Photo by Bryce Mitchell)   Thomas Hauck (6-9, SO): After a very strong freshman year, he’s likely to play some on the perimeter when Golden wants to go with a big lineup. He can knock down the three, passes well and handles the ball well enough to put it on the deck to drive to the rim. Capable of defending three positions. Looked very sharp running the floor both offensively and defensively during Tuesday drills.   Sam Alexis (6-9, JR): Chattanooga transfer who is a ferocious rebounder and defender. Quick enough to defend on the perimeter and get back to his man inside. Does a great job of using his feet to track the rebound while he stays focused on the ball. Nice touch inside. Tried some threes, but has a long slow release. Good scoring potential inside 15 feet.   Denzel Aberdeen (6-5, JR): He could be the most improved player on the team. He’s stronger (6-5, 190) and in his third year in the program. Handled the ball well in traffic and showed good court awareness both with the ball in his hand and defensively. Shot the ball well.   Kajus Kublickas (6-2, SO): He got good experience playing for Lithuania at the Eurobasket under-20. He’s an excellent passer/ball handler who shoots well. He looks much more comfortable now that he’s in his second year at UF. He’s got a pass first mentality but he can shoot it.   Urban Klavzar (6-1, FR): A late freshman signee from Slovenia, he lit things up from the 3-point line at the EuroBasket under-20 tournament in the summer. It wasn’t a full scrimmage Tuesday but it seemed that every time he was left alone, his shot found the bottom of the net. He played with the Slovenian senior national team in 2023.   Isaiah Brown (6-4, FR): He is a basketball player. Put him on the court and he’ll figure out a place to play. He’s very athletic, showed some good passing skills during some full court fast break drills. Intense defender. Ahead of most freshmen perimeter players in that respect. Shoots the ball very, very well. He will see the floor regularly.   Viktor Mikic (6-11, FR): Another late addition freshman who has some skills. Handles the ball very well for his size, takes to coaching nicely. Has good hands and runs the floor very well with or without the ball in his hands. Good passer.   Olivier Rioux (7-9, FR): Start with the obvious. You can’t teach tall and there is nobody in college basketball as tall or taller. He is 7-9 and needs a lot of coaching but he’s got some skills. Showed a nice baby hook with his left hand. Dunked flatfooted or else on his toes. He will see limited minutes and he’s a project, but it’s not like he’s devoid of skills.

A few thoughts to jump start your Monday morning: Two seasons ago, Billy Napier’s first year on the Florida job, the Gators finished 12th (of 14 teams) in the SEC in total defense (411 yards per game) and 129th out of 131 teams in getting off the field on third down. Patrick Toney was the defensive coordinator. Just a week or so ahead of spring practice for the 2023 season Toney left to coach the safeties in the NFL with the Arizona Cardinals.   Within days after Toney’s departure, Napier hired Austin Armstrong as his DC. Armstrong spent 2022 as the DC at Southern Miss. He was set to coach linebackers for Nick Saban when he got the call from UF. The 2023 defense finished 11th in total defense in the SEC (382.3 yards per game), an improvement of 29 yards a game. The Gators finished sixth in the SEC in getting off the field on third down, 36th nationally, an improvement of 93 places in the rankings.   At the conclusion of the 2023 season, secondary coach Corey Raymond and D-line coach Sean Spencer were fired. When Mike Elko was hired as the head coach at Texas A&M he hired Spencer to coach his D-line and poached Jay Bateman from the Florida staff to be his defensive coordinator. Raymond was replaced by Will Harris from the NFL Los Angeles Chargers. Spencer was replaced by Tulane’s Gerald Chatman. Napier brought on Auburn DC Ron Roberts to replace Bateman, naming him co-coordinator with Armstrong. It was thought to be a brilliant move since Roberts was Armstrong’s mentor dating back to their days on Napier’s staff at Louisiana.   The collaboration of Armstrong and Roberts along with the new additions to the defensive staff has been about as close to a natural disaster as you can get. Florida’s defense currently ranks dead last in the SEC in total defense (425.5 yards per game; 112th nationally), dead last in third down defense (123rd nationally), 14th in rushing defense (188.75 yards per game; 108th nationally); 14th in pass defense (236.8 yards per game; 92nd nationally) and dead last in long plays from scrimmage (59; 108th nationally).   It doesn’t take a rocket surgeon or brain scientist to figure out that the new defensive staff isn’t working out. Would Napier have been better off leaving Armstrong in charge of the defense and passing on Roberts? In an effort to shake things up Saturday against Mississippi State, Napier sent Roberts to the booth to give a better perspective on making the defense work better. The result was a team that can’t run the ball went off for 240 yards on the ground, 480 yards overall, and 90 offensive snaps.   It's way too easy to point fingers at the players. The Florida defense has been outplayed three of four games this year, but nearly every player on the defensive roster was recruited by teams that grace the top 25 rankings and other teams without such a dismal outlook as the Gators. So what is it?   When Michael Jordan was just a couple of years in the NBA, Nike enlisted Spike Lee to do a series of commercials promoting Jordan that coined the phrase, “It’s gotta be the shoes!”   Looking at the Florida defense, the only conclusion we can make right now is, “It’s gotta be the coaches!”   TEXAS REMAINS NO. 1 IN AP POLL Associated Press top 25: 1. Texas 4-0; 2. Georgia 3-0; 3. Ohio State 3-0; 4. Alabama 3-0; 5. Tennessee 4-0; 6. Ole Miss 4-0; 7. Miami 4-0; 8. Oregon 3-0; 9. Penn State 3-0; 10. Utah 4-0; 11. Missouri 4-0; 12. Michigan 3-1; 13. Southern California 2-1; 14. LSU 3-1; 15. Louisville 3-0; 16. Notre Dane 3-1; 17. Clemson 2-1; 18. Iowa State 3-0; 19. Illinois 4-0; 20. Oklahoma State 3-1; 21. Oklahoma 3-1; 22. BYU 4-0; 23. Kansas State 3-1; 24. Texas A&M 3-1; 25. Boise State 2-1   AFCA Coaches top 25: 1. Georgia 3-0; 2. Texas 4-0; 3. Ohio State 3-0; 4. Alabama 3-0; 5. Ole Miss 4-0; 6. Tennessee 4-0; 7. Oregon 3-0; 8. Penn State 3-0; 9. Miami 4-0; 10. Utah 4-0; 11. Missouri 4-0; 12. Michigan 3-1; 13. LSU 3-1; 14. Notre Dame 3-1; 15. Clemson 2-1; 16. Southern California 2-1; 17. Louisville 3-0; 18. Oklahoma 3-1; 19. Iowa State 3-0; 20. Oklahoma State 3-1; 21. Illinois 4-0; 22. BYU 4-0; 23. UNLV 3-0; 24. Texas A&M 3-1; 25. Kansas State 3-1   SEC FOOTBALL No. 4 Alabama (3-0, 0-0 SEC): Freshman wide receiver Ryan Williams is the field stretcher for Bama. In three games he has 10 catches for 285 yards and four touchdowns. His touchdown catches are for 31, 43, 84 and 55 yards. Next Saturday: No. 2 Georgia (3-0, 1-0 SEC)   Arkansas (3-1, 1-0 SEC): Defense saved the day for the Razorbacks in their win over Auburn. Arkansas intercepted four passes and recovered a fumble. Next Saturday: No. 24 Texas A&M (3-1, 1-0 SEC) at Arlington, TX   Auburn (2-2, 0-1 SEC): The Tigers thought they had solved the QB problem with Hank Brown, but after he threw three interceptions against Arkansas, Payton Thorne was back under center. Thorne threw for 213 yards and two TDs in relief, but he also threw a pick. Next Saturday: No. 21 Oklahoma (3-1, 0-1 SEC)   No. 2 Georgia (3-0, 1-0 SEC): During the off week, left guard Tate Ratledge had tightrope surgery on his ankle. Ratledge is also dealing with a sprained MCL. Quarterback Carson Beck has a AC joint injury. Next Saturday: at No. 4 Alabama (3-0, 0-0 SEC)   Kentucky (2-2, 0-2 SEC): In the 41-6 win over Ohio, the Wildcats put up 488 yards of offense. Quarterback Brock Vandagriff threw for 237 yards, his best game of the season. Next Saturday: at Ole Miss (4-0, 0-0 SEC)   No. 14 LSU (3-1, 1-0 SEC): LSU’s best defensive player, linebacker Harold Perkins, will miss the rest of the season with a torn ACL suffered in the win over UCLA … The Tigers have a dismal running game, averaging 103.75 yards per game, dead last in the SEC and 112th nationally. QB Garrett Nussmeier has thrown for 1,247 yards and 13 touchdowns. Next Saturday: South Alabama (2-2)   Mississippi State (1-3, 0-1 SEC): Quarterback Blake Shapen’s season is over after suffering a separated shoulder against the Gators. His replacement will be freshman Michael Van Buren, who completed 7-13 passes for 100 yards after Shapen left the game against Florida. Next Saturday: at No. 1 Texas (4-0, 0-0 SEC)   No. 11 Missouri (4-0, 1-0 SEC): Missouri fell out of the top ten in both the AP and Coaches polls after being taken to double overtime by Vanderbilt. Placekicker Blake Craig won the game with a 37-yard field goal, atoning for three misses during regulation. Next Saturday: Open   No. 21 Oklahoma (3-1, 0-1 SEC): Although the Sooners lost to Tennessee, 25-15, they did slow down the vaunted UT offense that came into the game averaging 639 yards and 69 points a game. Against OU, Tennessee managed only 345 yards. Next Saturday: at Auburn (2-2, 0-1 SEC)   No. 6 Ole Miss (4-0, 0-0 SEC): The Rebels have gained at least 607 yards in all four games. Ole Miss leads the nation in total offense and scoring at 670 yards and 55 points per game … Wide receiver Tre Harris has already caught 38 passes for 628 yards and four touchdowns. Next Saturday: Kentucky (2-2, 0-2 SEC)   South Carolina (3-1, 1-1 SEC): With LaNorris Sellers and Raheim Sanders sidelined Saturday, backup QB Robby Ashford stepped up, throwing for 243 yards and two touchdowns while running for an additional 133 and a TD in the easy win over Akron. Next Saturday: Open   No. 6 Tennessee (4-0, 1-0 SEC): When the offense sputtered against Oklahoma, the defense stepped it up. The Vols, who lead the nation in total defense, gave up just 222 yards, only 36 on the ground in 34 carries. The Vols had 11 tackles for loss including three sacks for -11 yards. Next Saturday: Open   No. 1 Texas (4-0, 0-0 SEC): Although all eyes were on Arch Manning, making his first collegiate start against Louisiana-Monroe, it was the Texas defense that was the real story. The Longhorns allowed 57 rushing yards, 54 passing yards, an average of 2.22 yards per snap. The Longhorns rank fifth nationally in total defense, giving up 211.8 yards per game. Next Saturday: Mississippi State (1-3, 0-1 SEC)   No. 24 Texas A&M (3-1, 1-0 SEC): The Aggies got a pair of fourth quarter field goals by Randy Bond to eke out a 26-23 win over Bowling Green … Conner Weigman sat out his second straight game as redshirt freshman Marcel Reed threw for 173 yards and two touchdowns while running for an additional 91. Next Saturday: Arkansas (3-1, 1-0 SEC) at Arlington, TX   Vanderbilt (2-2, 0-1 SEC): Vanderbilt took Missouri to double overtime before falling, 30-27. Quarterback Diego Pavia passed for 178 yards and two touchdowns while running for 84. Through four games, Pavia has thrown for 721 yards and four TDs without a pick while running for an additional 279 and two more TDs. Next Saturday: Open   AROUND THE STATE Florida Atlantic (1-3, 0-1 American): The Owls struggled in the passing game in their loss to UConn, generating only 54 yards. Next Saturday: Wagner (2-2)   Florida International (1-3, 0-0 Conference USA): The Panthers lost a shootout to D1AA Monmouth, 45-42. Next Saturday: Louisiana Tech (1-2, 0-0 Conference USA)   Florida State (1-3, 1-2 ACC): Although FSU got its first win of the season, the Seminoles failed to gain at least 300 yards of offense for the fourth consecutive game. FSU’s ground game is managing a pathetic 65.75 yards per game. Next Saturday: at SMU (3-1, 0-0 ACC)   No. 7 Miami (4-0, 0-0 ACC): The Hurricanes rank No. 2 nationally in total offense (605 yards per game) and 10th in total defense (232.8 yards per game). Quarterback Cam Ward has thrown for 14 touchdowns while averaging 359.8 passing yards per game. Next Friday: Virginia Tech (2-2, 0-0 ACC)   South Florida (2-2, 0-0 American): The Bulls threw two interceptions and gave up four sacks in their loss to Miami. Miami outscored the Bulls, 28-0, in the second half. Next Saturday: at Tulane (2-2, 0-0 American)   UCF (3-0, 1-0 Big 12): The Knights lead the nation in rushing (375.67 yards per game), led by RJ Harvey, who has scored eight TDs on the ground while averaging 149.33 yards (7.59 per carry) per game. Overall, UCF is third nationally in total offense (570.67 per game. Next Saturday: Colorado (3-1, 1-0 Big 12)   ONE FINAL PITHY THOUGHT: On ESPN’s “Game Day” Saturday, Nick Saban was asked what’s wrong with Florida. He answered, “I think maybe the problem isn’t the coaches.They’ve been through four coaches since [Steve] Spurrier and Urban Meyer, who both created a tremendous culture of winning there. Sometimes the fanbase can just think ‘we can just show up and expect to win’ and not make the commitment to the program that you need to make to be able to continue to make the changes and the investments you need to make to keep up with changing times.   “Things change. They should’ve taken advantage of building better facilities when Urban Meyer was there. What’s their [NIL] collective been like? How have they adapted to this new model of college football. So it’s not just the coaches. When you’ve been through four coaches and you haven’t had success, there is something else that people should be looking at.”   Saban is right. While Florida hasn’t been able to find its next great coach since Meyer retired after the 2010 season, there is more to UF’s issues than simply the coaches. In a column at On3 last week, national writer Jesse Simonton opined, “If Florida is serious about wanting to produce a championship program again, they have to make serious changes above simply who is just roaming the sidelines. It’s time to move on to a new era. A clean slate.”   Later in the same column, Simonton wrote, “[Scott] Stricklin shouldn’t be allowed to hire a third football coach, but it’s not just him. The entire UAA needs a housecleaning.”   When Tennessee hired Danny White as its athletic director, the first thing he did was clean house in the administration, rooting out all the Phil Fulmer loyalists and giving the entire athletic program the once-over. Three years later, the Vols finished fourth, one spot ahead of Florida in the Director’s Cup standings.   That is something to think about long and hard.

Mertz and Lagway are almost perfect, literally. The defense on the other hand…… By Loren Meadows, GatorBaitMedia.com , Football Analyst -STARKVILLE, Miss. Davis-Wade Stadium, Starkville, Mississippi (GatorBait photo) Florida came into the game with its leader on the hottest seat in the country, against a team that if you fail to count consistent cellar dweller Vanderbilt is the SEC’s worst. The Gators would be tasked to grab just their third road win of the Napier tenure and if history had shown anything, the Gators were not the best team when sleeping in someone else beds and eating breakfast around 7am Central tme. Mississippi State played with a tempo that scared many Florida insiders and former players. Would a loss in Starkville be the death blow on a coach that seat was hotter than his hiring prospect just three years ago?   What We Thought: Mississippi State had been pummeled at home against Toledo a week ago where it surrendered almost 450 yards of total offense to the team from the 419. An embarrassment to say the least — and to make matters worse, the Toledo defense surrendered just 66 yards rushing to the Bulldogs in a game that was never in doubt. Based upon this evidence, the jury was still out on a Florida defense that had allowed a redshirt freshman to come into The Swamp and dominate with his legs and arm to the tune of over 250 all-purpose yards — Texas A&M taking almost 500 total as a team. In the fourth week, the Gator defense would be facing a dual-threat quarterback and the offense would face a defense very vulnerable against the run. The Gators somehow had found ways to make their opponents look their best — a trend that was sure to continue in Starkville.  What We Got: The Bulldog offense gained 31 first downs against the Gators on Saturday. 31! Once again, the Florida defense that has been saved much of the blame for the teams futility was not great at times yesterday. Early in the contest Jeff Lebby’s crew seemed content to attack the Gators through the air and to their credit the Florida secondary was up to the task. After a couple of series the Bulldogs had an awakening and found that the best way to put the Gators in peril was to hit the defense square in the gut. The Bulldogs found success running into the teeth of the Gator defense for a season high 240 yards for 4.3 yards per carry. This would allow the Bulldogs to convert both on long and short yardage plays with most runs going right at the Gators’ front.   Luckily, the Florida offense found its footing early and stayed planted often and had its best game against a Power Four opponent this season. Graham Mertz had his best game of the season completing, 19 of 21 passes for 201 yards and three touchdowns. His partner in silencing the cowbells DJ Lagway was 7 for 7 for 76 yards in relief situations running plays more suited for his skill set. Florida’s offense looked more creative than previous weeks despite the opponent and the offense continues to move with confidence under Mertz. The run game was a nice complement to the success through the air, adding 226 yards on 36 carries for a 6.3 per carry average. Montrell Johnson, while not explosive, continues to be solid particularly in the passing game where he was key in stoning blitzing linebackers in pass protection. Maybe the best moment of the day was left tackle Austin Barber scoring a touchdown on a fumble recovery, his first since Pop Warner. Austin Barber, Pup Howard, Graham Mertz postgame (GatorBait photo) The Skinny: To write too much would be to write a lie. Was this a good win? Yes and no. Yes, because the young men in the “organization” and others work extremely hard and this game is not for the weak -minded or -hearted and success is rooted in wins. No, because a win in Starkville will do very little to quiet the screams for a new leader of the crew. Billy Napier still looks like a coach who is trying to find a way to right a ship that may have been built with some irreparable flaws. You can tell that he genuinely cares for his players and they believe in what he is trying to do. The problem is the plan is not consistently good enough or the goods are not as robust as once thought to be. For all the talk of the offense there have been few times where they have been given the ball in plus territory or handed a turnover in the enemy’s backyard. Ron Roberts and his perceived protégé’ Austin Armstrong had both in the booth calling the defense but Roberts moved to the sideline. The unit still lacks fire and, most of all, the ability to stand up against physical football teams. The off week will not be as noisy as it could have been and perhaps Napier and company can focus on self examination after four samples and see if they need to change some of the ingredients. Next up comes the visit from another in-state foe that is already advertising its “arrival” on billboards in your backyard. Most would agree that the seat under Napier is no longer just hot but has disintegrated into toast. The off week allows for some soul searching and well needed evaluation — finding a left tackle and sticking with him (Austin Barber) and going live in three of the next five practices and find out who wants to play big boy football . Just my two cents.      Final Score: Florida 45 Mississippi State 28  (Prediction-Florida 27 Mississippi State 33)