THOUGHTS OF THE DAY By Franz Beard A few thoughts to jump start your Monday morning: In the first half of the last two games, the Florida Gators (4-4, 2-4 SEC) have been outscored by Georgia and Texas A&M 52-23 and outgained 679-352. In taking a 28-3 halftime lead on the Gators, Georgia outgained UF 372-89. Texas A&M racked up a 307-263 yardage advantage while taking a 24-20 lead at the half. Billy Napier says he “challenged them at halftime” of the Georgia game. It must have worked because the Gators outscored the No. 1-ranked Bulldogs 17-14 and outgained them 282-223. Florida’s 371 yards are the most Georgia’s defense has allowed all season. That’s more than Tennessee (289) and Oregon (313), the nation’s No. 1 and No. 2 offenses. Against Texas A&M, the Gators outscored the Aggies 21-0 in the second half and outgained them 229-106 for a final advantage of 492-413. Offensively, the Gators threw for 201 yards and ran for 291 with Anthony Richardson turning in his best game since Utah (17-28 passing for 201 yards and two touchdowns while running for 78 and two more). The defense held the Aggies to 1-8 on third down conversions. For a second straight game, the second half turn around had its origins in halftime speeches. Senior linebacker Ventrell Miller said, “I think it had to do with the halftime speech from some of the coaches and players … It was a little bit of tough love, like, let’s go, it’s still a game and we aren’t playing like how we are supposed to play. We told them to shut it out, and the boys stood on that, so I’m definitely proud of those boys.” In the second half of the last two games, the Gators have outscored Georgia and Texas A&M 38-14 while outgaining them 511-315. Gator fans everywhere would rejoice at a 38-14 win with that kind of yardage differential. Neither the offense nor the defense showed up in the first half of the Georgia game, but the Gators came alive in the second half, particularly the third quarter. Against the Aggies, the Gators played very well offensively in the first half, but played a complete second half because the defense got the offense the ball and the offense, not only moved the ball and put points on the scoreboard, but it controlled the clock for a 19:37-10:23 time of possession differential. With three games remaining on the schedule – South Carolina, (at) Vanderbilt and (at) Florida State – the Gators need just one win to become bowl eligible which would probably place them in Birmingham or back at the Gasparilla Bowl. Two wins would make for a better bowl. Should the Gators win their last three for a 4-0 run of the November table and they could be looking at playing in Tampa for the ReliaQuest (used to be Outback) Bowl. That’s where Jerry Palm of CBS has the Gators landing. Of course, to get to 7-5 or 8-4, the Gators have to play full games like they’ve played second halves against Georgia and the Aggies. It would be a good idea if they could do it without the halftime speeches. UF Baseball: Gators sweep Stetson in exhibition doubleheader The highlight of Florida’s 7-6, 5-1 sweep of Stetson in their fall exhibition doubleheader at Condron Ballpark Sunday was an “immaculate” inning turned in by Southern Miss transfer righty Hurston Waldrep in game two. Waldrep, who struck out all six batters he faced in the first two innings, needed nine pitches for three strikeouts in the top of the second. That feat is rarer than a perfect game. In game one, Wyatt Langford tied the game at 6-6 in the bottom of the eighth with a high bouncer off the plate scored Dale Thomas from third. Jac Caglione delivered the game-winner with a hard line single to left field to drive in Michael Robertson. Ryan Slater got the win in relief while Brandon Neely picked up the save. Thomas and Ty Evans both homered for the Gators. Santa Fe College transfer Tyler Shelnut got a ninth-inning rally started in game two when he hit a one-out single to left, advanced to third on a walk and a wild pitch, then scored on a throwing error. Rene Lastres added a 3-run double later in the inning (in exhibition games they play the full inning). Blake Purnell picked up the win in relief. UF Swimming: Gators sweep the Vols The Gators took care of business at the O-Dome pool Saturday as the men and women scored a sweep. The 3rd-ranked Florida men (3-1, 1-1 SEC) handled 13th-ranked Tennessee 171.5-128.5 while the 11th-ranked UF women (4-1, 2-0 SEC) crushed the 7th-ranked Vols 204-96. UF Volleyball: Gators trounce Missouri The 12th-ranked Gators (19-4, 11-2 SEC) got 16 kills from Marina Markova, 13 kills from Merritt Beason and nine kills and five blocks from Gabbi Eason Friday night as they swept Missouri (8-14, 1-11 SEC), 25-22, 25-17, 25-23. Freshman setter Alexis Stucky had 46 assists. The Gators, who are a half-game ahead of Kentucky in first place in the SEC will travel to Texas A&M (12-13, 4-10 SEC) next Saturday. Poll-iticks: Georgia No. 1, Tennessee No. 5, LSU No. 7 Associated Press top 25 (SEC teams bold face): 1. Georgia 9-0; 2. Ohio State 9-0; 3. Michigan 9-0; 4. TCU 9-0; 5. Tennessee 8-1; 6. Oregon 8-1; 7. LSU 7-2; 8. Southern California 8-1; 9. UCLA 8-1; 10. Alabama 7-2; 11. Ole Miss 8-1; 12. Clemson 8-1; 13. Utah 7-2; 14. Penn State 7-2; 15. North Carolina 8-1; 16. Tulane 8-1; 17. North Carolina State 7-2; 18. Texas 6-3; 19. Liberty 8-1; 20. Notre Dame 6-3; 21. Illinois 7-2; 22. UCF 7-2; 23. Kansas State 6-3; 24. Washington 7-2; 25. Florida State 6-3 AFCA Coaches top 25: 1. Georgia 9-0; 2. Ohio State 9-0; 3. Michigan 9-0; 4. TCU 9-0; 5. Tennessee 8-1; 6. Oregon 8-1; 7. Southern California 8-1; 8. LSU 7-2; 9. Ole Miss 8-1; 10. UCLA 8-1; 11. Alabama 7-2; 12. Clemson 8-1; 13. Utah 7-2; 14. North Carolina 8-1; 15. Penn State 7-2; 16. North Carolina State 7-2; 17. Tulane 8-1; 18. Texas 6-3; 19. Liberty 8-1; 20. Illinois 7-2; 21. UCF 7-2; 23. Kansas State 6-3; 23. Washington 7-2; 24. Kentucky 6-3; 25. Notre Dame 6-3 SEC football No. 10 Alabama (7-2, 4-2 SEC): We’re one week into November and Alabama is out of the College Football Playoff picture. This is the earliest Alabama has been out of the national championship picture since 2010 when they went 10-3. Next week: at No. 11 Ole Miss (8-1, 4-1 SEC) Arkansas (5-4, 2-3 SEC): Defensive backs Myles Slusher and Anthony bBrown were arrested for disorderly conduct after the Hogs lost to Liberty. Slusher had five tackles in the game. Next week: vs. No. 7 LSU (7-2, 5-1 SEC) Auburn (3-6, 1-5 SEC): Was this a cryptic message from Hugh Freeze about the Auburn job fter he led Liberty to a win over Arkansas? Freeze said, “I don’t know that Auburn wants me. I have no clue. I know this: I have won everywhere I’ve been and my staff and kids have turned programs fast. It’s our culture that we instill. I know we do that and the proof is in the pudding.” Next week: vs. Texas A&M (3-6, 1-5 SEC) No. 1 Georgia (9-0, 6-0 SEC): Georgia’s defense is allowing 10.8 points and 266.4 yards per game. The Bulldogs allowed 10.2 points and 267.9 yards per game last year. Next week: at Mississippi State (6-3, 3-3 SEC) Kentucky (6-3, 3-3 SEC): Mark Stoops has Kentucky bowl eligible for a seventh straight year, which is the longest streak in school history. Next week: vs. Vanderbilt (3-6, 0-5 SEC) No. 7 LSU (7-2, 5-1 SEC): In making the decision to go for two to beat Alabama in overtime, HBC Brian Kelly said, “Look, you’re going to get second-guessed if you don’t get it. I get it, but to me I just felt like, I look at our team, I assess the situation and I just felt like it was the right thing to do.” Next week: at Arkansas (5-4, 2-3 SEC) Mississippi State (6-3, 3-3 SEC): After their 39-33 overtime win over Auburn, HBC Mike Leach said, “I guess you could say we’re tough and dumb” … With the win the Bulldogs are bowl eligible. Next week: vs. No. 1 Georgia (9-0, 6-0 SEC) Missouri (4-5, 2-4 SEC): Eli Drinkwitz has been given a 2-year contract extension through 2027 … In their loss to Kentucky the Tigers were hurt by a horrendous spot that gave UK a fourth down conversion that for some reason the SEC Next week: at No. 5 Tennessee (8-1, 4-1 SEC) No. 11 Ole Miss (8-1, 4-1 SEC): Bruce Feldman of The Athletic says that Lane Kiffin is the name to watch in the Auburn coaching search. Next week: vs. No. 10 Alabama (7-2, 4-1 SEC) South Carolina (6-3, 3-3 SEC): Defensive back David Spaulding is done for the year with a foot injury … The win over Vanderbilt made the Gamecocks bowl eligible for a second straight season under Shane Beamer. Next week: at Florida (5-4, 2-4 SEC) No. 5 Tennessee (8-1, 4-1 SEC): The Vols got killed on the line of scrimmage against Georgia. They never got a sack against Stetson Bennett and their O-line allowed Hendon Hooker to get sacked six times. The Vols ran 42 times for 94 yards, an average of 2.24 per carry. Hooker averaged only 5.9 yards per pass attempt. Next week: vs. Missouri (4-5, 2-4 SEC) Texas A&M (3-6, 1-5 SEC): Defensive lineman Fadil Diggs and defensive back Deuce Harmon are done for the year after sustaining injuries against the Gators. Jimbo Fisher said wide receiver Yulkeith Brown will be out awhile although it isn’t due to an injury. Next week: at Auburn (3-6, 1-5 SEC) Vanderbilt (3-6, 0-5 SEC): The Commodores gained 454 yards in losing to South Carolina, the most yards they’ve gained all year in an SEC game. Next week: at Kentucky (6-3, 3-3 SEC) Our SEC orphans in the Big 12 Oklahoma (5-4, 2-4 Big 12): Three Dillon Gabriel interceptions, a failed fourth down conversion and eight penalties doomed the Sooners against Baylor. Next week: at West Virginia (3-6, 1-5 Big 12) No. 18 Texas (6-3, 4-2 Big 12): Bijan Robinson carried 30 times for 209 yards and a TD in the win over Kansas State. Next week: vs. No. 4 TCU (9-0, 6-0 Big 12) ONE FINAL PITHY THOUGHT: Speaking on Sports Center Sunday morning, Paul Finebaum of the SEC Network did not sound optimistic about where Alabama goes from here after falling to 7-2 in a year in which the Crimson Tide was a near-unanimous choice to win the national championship. Finebaum said, “It just seems for starters the window on the Saban dynasty is closing. They are not going to get back in it this year. So what does it mean? It means a lot for Brian Kelly who came in because he wanted to take on Nick Saban. That’s the reason he left Notre Dame, and already he has scored a victory in a game where there were numerous questionable calls on the Saban side and brilliant – I mean life-changing – calls on the LSU side including the game-winner.” It might be a bit presumptuous to say the curtain is dropping on Saban and Alabama. Yes, Georgia won the national championship last year and seems to be a prohibitive favorite to repeat after thrashing Tennessee, but we shouldn’t forget that Saban was counted out by a lot of folks in 2013-14 when the Crimson Tide didn’t win the national championship. All Saban did was reinvent himself by making wholesale staff changes, among them bringing in Lane Kiffin to revamp his offense. Look for something similar in this offseason starting with two new coordinators. Offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien is expected to get a head coaching job. The defense has gone stale under Pete Golding. He’ll probably get nudged out of the next for a Group of Five HBC job. There will probably be other staff changes and those moves will likely invigorate Saban. Finebaum may think Nick’s sell-by date is about to expire, but Nick Saban hasn’t won seven national championships by letting the game pass him by. Expect him to be back. With a vengeance.

Richardson played turnover-free football for the third straight game and possibly had his best game as a Gator.

UAA Photo By: KYLE CURTIS GatorBaitMedia.com In one of the best games of his career, Anthony Richardson threw for 201 yards and two touchdowns and also rushed 78 yards for another two more scores Saturday. And he didn't have a turnover. His play greatly influenced Florida's victory on Saturday in College Station. More importantly, he became a better leader with a new perspective. “I told Anthony there late in the game ‘I think Anthony’s going to play this game for a long time,’” said Billy Napier. “I think he will look back, and this will be one of those days that he will say was was kind of a pivotal day. Playing with confidence. I thought he started fast. Really thorough in his prep during the week.” Richardson lit up college football with an electrifying 60-yard scoring jaunt in the first quarter, which increased the buzz around him as an NFL prospect. There were numerous pro scouts in attendance for Saturday’s game. including the Texans, Buccaneers, Seahawks, Lions, Dolphins, 49ers, Colts, Vikings, Broncos, Titans, Chargers, Ravens and Patriots. What they saw was a player only eight games into in a new system in just his ninth start. Thanks in part to AR, the Gator's offense was able to keep pace with Texas A&M’s offense in the first half, trailing 24-20. The second half was a different story. “I think it just had to do with the halftime speech from some of the coaches and players. We know we started off flat-footed just taking ownership of that,” said Florida linebacker Ventrell Miller. “We just got dem boys motivated for the second half and everybody came out and did their job, and we showed them how the Florida Gators defense can play.” The Gator defense pitches its first shutout of the second half this season and helps Florida ultimately close out the game. While Richardson dominated through the air and on the ground, he had help from running backs Trevor Etienne and Montrell Johnson Jr. Johnson Jr. finished with 100 yards and a touchdown while Etienne finished with 80 on the day, consistently getting chunk yardage. Nonetheless, Richardson looked bigger than everybody. Especially because of his willingness to lead others. “All week I’ve just been working on my leadership, trying to hold guys together and just keep the team pushing,” Richardson said. “Allowing us to come out there and play fast, play strong. But he (Coach Napier)told me this was going to be a turning point of my career in my life. I kind of see that, because I think I’m getting back with my leadership. So, that’s kind of something I want to keep improving on, and that’s pretty much what he touched upon.” Since the beginning of the season, Richardson has taken strides as a quarterback in improving his ability to read defenses. Texas A&M was down a number of players due to a flu outbreak throughout the university during the week. Nonetheless, with the support of their quarterback, the Gators showed out and were able to come away with a win in one of the most hostile environments in the nation. Napier simplified the matter following the game with the steps Richardson has taken as a leader within the program. “He’s a 20-year-old first-year starter in a new system. Again, I think Anthony’s problems aren’t physical,” Napier said. “I think it’s about development, it’s about getting comfortable with a role, being a leader, being vocal, improving as a communicator, playing as a competitor and playing for your teammates.”

Buddy Martin, Ben Troupe and Loren Meadows break down the Big Win against Texas A&M.

L This win means everything — back on track for 8-4 and one game away from bowl eligible. Florida’s best showing since Utah. Gators found some defense in 2nd half and Anthony Richardson was brilliant.

Ventrell Miller Post Game Presser After the Win Against A&M

Anthony Richardson post game comments after the win against A&M

COLLEGE STATION, Texas — GatorBait has learned several Gator players may be affected by flu today, including Ricky Pearsall. A source close to the program told Gatorbait Media that several other players have come down with "flu-like"symptoms and were treated with IV-fluids. However the players in question should be available for the Gators.

Video Reports from College Station

The winner of this game will be looking postseason play square in the eye while the loser will be left to ponder where the season went off the tracks and what the future may hold for its program. Second paragraph, second sentence…”While these are the most glaring issue”  ISSUES Second paragraph, last sentence…”A&M needs threee.”  Misspelled THREE. Third paragraph, second sentence…”near upset of the Rebels in Oxford.”  The game was played in College Station. Fourth paragraph, fifth sentence…”Against Ole Miss, the accounted for…”.  THEY Fifth paragraph, second sentence…”last week at Ole Miss.”  VS. Eighth paragraph, fourth sentence…”while solid against the pass the Texas A&M only…”.  Erase THE Ninth paragraph, second sentence…”Now that the games have begun his is staring a another…”.  HE and AT WHEW! LOREN MEADOWS Gatorbaitmedia.com, Football Analyst For the 3rd time since Texas A&M joined the SEC, the Florida Gators travel to College Station for a matchup against the Aggies. Regardless of questionable scheduling, this is a game both programs desperately need to win. Florida and its much-maligned defense has surrendered almost 1,100 total yards the past two games, while the Texas A&M offense has lacked creativity and imagination, struggling to find an answer at quarterback. While these are the most glaring issues, both teams have failed to consistently live up to preseason expectations with the Aggies currently on a four-game losing streak and only two wins at Kyle Field this season. Similarly, the Gators, who will be playing only their second game outside Florida, are coming off their worst defensive performance in the Florida-Georgia came and have dismissed one of their top defenders from the team. The winner of this game will be looking postseason play square in the eye while the loser will be left to ponder where the season went off the tracks and what the future may hold for its program. Except Florida only needs two wins to become bowl eligble and A&M needs three. Texas A&M Offense -- While many felt Coach Jimbo Fisher would stick with sophomore quarterback Haynes King (#13, 6-3, 205) for the second half of the season an injury against South Carolina in Week 7 allowed freshman quarterback Connor Weigman (#15), to make his first collegiate start last week against Ole Miss. Weigman, a 5-star recruit from Cypress, Texas threw for a true freshman record 338 yards and four touchdowns in a near upset of the Rebels. Drawing comparisons to Dak Prescott during his recruitment, Weigman features elite velocity as a passer as he was an elite baseball prospect in high school as well. At running back Texas A&M features one of college football’s fastest players in Junior Devon Achane (#6, 5-9, 185). While not the biggest back the Gators will face this season Achane possesses what Florida Head Coach Billy Napier refers to as “verified speed” as an All-American sprinter for the Aggies. Achane is a versatile back with good hands who is currently the only Power 5 player to score a touchdown as a rusher, receiver, and kick returner this year. At receiver the Aggies feature some of the SEC’s best young players. The trio of Evan Stewart (#1, 5-11, 170), Moose Muhammed (#7, 6-1, 195), and Tight End Donovan Green (#18, 6-4, 235) have combined for 78 catches and 6 touchdowns. Against Ole Miss, the accounted for 18 of Weigman’s 28 completions. Stewart was a coveted recruit in 2022 cycle while Muhammed is the son of former NFL receiver Muhsin Muhammed and the most polished receiver of the group. Upfront the Aggies will be without three starters on the offensive line with highly touted Freshman Kam Dewberry (#75, 6-4, 330) making his third start at left guard. Statistically, Texas A&M is one of the nation’s worst offensive teams, with just 360 yards of total offense per game, 62 yards less than the inconsistent offense of the Gators. The Aggies did however manage to accumulate 480 yards of offense in a pass-happy game last week at Ole Miss. With a an offensive line that will feature back-ups and likely two true freshman, the Gators could find an advantage against the Aggies and limit Achane on the ground. However, with the dismissal of Brenton Cox Jr. from an already limited defensive front the playing field may be leveled in the trenches. Last week the Gators secondary forced Stetson Bennett into three interceptions and three more that should have been. Will Patrick Tony’s “creepers" make young Weigman look pedestrian now that the Gators have a couple game tapes to evaluate? The secondary-receiver matchups are concerning as the Gator corners have struggled against top level receivers from both Tennessee and LSU. Stewart and Muhammed are just as capable. Dean (0) and Burney (2) hope to confuse Aggies QB Weigman (Chris Spears photo) Texas A&M Defense -- Under new defensive coordinator DJ Durkin, the Aggies defense stands on opposite sides of the spectrum based upon their first eight games, ranked seventh nationally against the pass. The Aggies surrender only 170 yards per game through the air. On the other end the defense ranks 120th nationally, surrendering 206 yards per game. In the secondary, safeties Demani Richardson (#26, 6-1, 210) and Jardin Gilbert (#20, 6-1, 185) have stood out for the Aggies. Gilbert is tied for the team lead in tackles (53), while Richardson steadies the group as the elder statesman of the unit. A third member of the group, and possibly its best is safety Antonio Johnson (#27, 6-3, 185) who was a Preseason All-American but has not seen the field since the Alabama game and was listed as “day to day” to begin the week. Despite their struggles against the run, Texas A&M is not without players that can make an impact up front. Linebacker Chris Russell Jr. (#24, 6-2, 235) is tied with Gilbert for the team lead in tackles, leads the team in tackles for loss (5.5) and is second on the team with 2.5 sacks. With at least five tackles in each game, Russell provides stability for a struggling unit. On the defensive line the Aggies best has been New Jersey native Fadil Diggs (#10, 6-5, 260). Diggs is an athletic pass rusher with range. He leads the team in sacks (3.0) and is second on the team in tackles for loss (5.0). Diggs had his best outing of his career against Alabama with two sacks, three tackles for loss, and two forced fumbles. The numbers are glaring. Florida has the nation’s 26th best rushing attack while the Aggies are coming off a game where they surrendered almost 400 yards rushing to Ole Miss. Surely the Gators will look to establish the run game and find out if Durkin and crew have fixed the issues from a week ago. While solid against the pass the Texas A&M only has two interceptions on the year which means that while they don’t allow completions the secondary is not full of ball hawks. With the three (sometimes four) man rotation at running back as well as Anthony Richardson to account for in the run game, the Gators have an opportunity to have one of its better rushing performances of the season after a poor showing last week against Georgia. Florida receiver Justin Shorter is listed as questionable for the game but has begun to emerge as a reliable deep threat for the Gators. If the Gators can establish the run early, Gilbert and Demani Richardson could be forced to play closer to the line of scrimmage and allow for play action pass over the top. Etienne (7) key to the run against struggling Aggie defense (Chris Spears photo) The Skinny: Jimbo Fisher had an interesting off-season where he signed the “greatest recruiting class ever” and sparred with his former boss. Now that the games have begun he is staring at another interesting offseason straight in the eye. With three offensive linemen out and four members of the ballyhooed recruiting class suspended indefinitely, this is a great opportunity for the Gators to go to College Station and get a win. Coach Napier, however, is beginning to feel the pressure of life in Gainesville as well - - especially with the Aggies reportedly dealing with a flu outbreak. His quarterback has been inconsistent, his defense porous and he just dismissed his best pass rusher. So which team can put its issues aside and focus in on Saturday? While the Aggies may have the better roster on paper, the Gators will arrive in Texas with a more unified team and a little more to play for. The Gators see 8-4 as an expectation while in College station 7-5 is a major and almost catastrophic disappointment. Connor Weigman -- if he plays -- will come into the game with the confidence of a solid performance a week ago and will rely on capable playmakers. However, the Gators did show some defensive backbone against a much more versatile offense in Jacksonville and will force Weigman into at least one big “freshman” mistake. The Gators run game travels and the Gators find a way to get to 5-4. Prediction: Florida 27, Texas A&M 24

Sources: A flu outbreak at Texas A&M -- in the team and the campus -- will leave the status of multiple A&M players in flux for today's game against Florida. QB Conner Weigman is among the players who is questionable for Texas A&M.

“Yesterday’s love was like a warm summer breeze, but just like the weather ya’ changed” – from the Dennis Yost and the Classic IV hit “Stormy” When it comes to college football and recruiting, yesterday’s rules are that warm summer breeze. The combination of NIL (name, image and likeness) and the transfer portal have changed everything just like that, and while coaches adapt to the changes, they beg for rules that make sense because, as some have aptly described it, what we have now is the wild, wild west. What we have now is a situation that is all but out of control and no leadership to reel it all in. “Yeah, most coaches would tell you it’s like going to play pick-up basketball and no one explains the rules before the game,” Billy Napier says. Whether it’s dealing with high school kids, experienced players who have placed their name in the NCAA transfer portal or the dreaded decisions that have to be made about what kids on the roster you want to keep or offer a gentle nudge out the door, there is no handy dandy flip card that fits in the wallet entitled “Recruiting for Dummies.” When Napier speaks about it, his entire demeanor changes because each day is like a cruise through uncharted waters. There is very little in the way of rules, plenty in the way of assumptions. “I think most coaches would say, hey, look, let’s create some balance, the terms of opportunity, parity,” Napier said. “I do think you’re going to see it become a little top heavy.” But this is what Florida’s football coach and every coach in Division I has to deal with on a daily basis. We might call it a fluid situation but that’s downplaying the numerous speed bumps and potholes that makes this anything but a smooth journey. There was a time and not all that long ago, when coaches knew what they were dealing with. They had 85 scholarships. If a kid transferred out or transferred in, he sat for a year before he was eligible to play. There was national signing day the first Tuesday in February. There were recruiting weekends during the season and in the weeks prior to signing day. There dead periods in the summer and in December that allowed coaches to somewhat catch their breaths before rejoining the sprint to the finish line. That was before there was an early signing period and new rules for official visits. Just when everyone was adapting to both a December and February signing day, along came the transfer portal and as if that wasn’t enough to daze and confuse everyone, NIL came along to further change the way rosters are built. And then the transfer rules changed so that first time transfers could move on to a new school without having to sit along with generous waiver rules that bore a resemblance to that old saying of throwing stuff against the wall to see what sticks and what doesn’t. “The portal opens up and NIL starts a new era, just completely changes the game,” Napier said, actually simplifying what he has to deal with. “ All those things that maybe were a part of your recruiting strategy , this has shifted the landscape in a huge fashion.” The 85 scholarship rules hasn’t changed although it’s long past due for refinement. Altering the scholarship numbers is complicated because of the dreaded Title IX rules designed to offer a measure of parity for women’s sports. The 85 scholarship limit was never designed for a transfer portal that has created free agency or NIL, which has kids transferring from School A to School B because of money. Dealing with the potential for wholesale changes to rosters has forced coaches to do what was more or less unthinkable 10 years ago. No coach wants to admit it, but every year decisions have to be made about which kids are keepers and which ones have to be encouraged to leave the program on their own volition. There was a time when coaches knew they had time to develop players, but money and pressure from boosters changed that. There was once the standard 5-year contract that gave a coach five years to build a roster with and win with his own players. Five years is three nowadays. In the case of Auburn – see Bryan Harsin, fired after 21 games – it isn’t even two years. Billy Napier knows his clock started ticking last December when he took the Florida job. One reason UF athletic director Scott Stricklin was so enamored with Napier, who went 40-12 in four years at Louisiana, was his plan to deal with roster management in an era where you make up the rules as you go along. In the days and weeks after he was hired, Napier had to deal with several players transferring out, several transferring in (O’Cyrus Torrence, Montrell Johnson, Kamryn Waites, Jalen Kimber, Jack Miller III and Ricky Pearsall) and recruiting high school kids. That got him to the 85-man roster he began the 2022 season with, but eight games in, he’s lost three scholarship players (Josh Braun, Marco Ortiz and Kamar Wilcoxson) who will be placing their name in the portal and he’s dismissed a player (Brenton Cox Jr.) So, he’s down to 81 on scholarship and he has three remaining on the roster whose eligibility will end when the season concludes. That leaves 78 on the roster. There are 22 high school recruits committed and all indications are there will be another five or six – maybe more – who are signed. If Napier held at the 22 high school recruits he has committed, he would be 15 over the scholarship limit. More will be signed and then there will be incoming transfers. Maybe 15 or more. If the combination of high school recruits and transfers totals 120, that means 35 players on the current roster will have to either graduate, retire from football or else leave the program via the transfer portal for the University of Florida to be at the NCAA imposed 85-scholarship limit. Some of the high school recruits will be good enough to play and contribute as true freshmen. Transfers, for the most part, will be expected to plug and play from the day they arrive on campus. Napier was on the Alabama staff with Lane Kiffin (now Ole Miss HBC) and Mel Tucker (now Michigan State HBC). The 21 transfers Kiffin brought in have helped Ole Miss to a No. 11 ranking and the possibility of a second consecutive 10-win season. Tucker brought in 20 transfers to Michigan State a year ago to help the Spartans get to a New Year’s Six bowl. High school recruits plus transfers – both incoming and outgoing – mean drastic changes to the way Napier approaches roster management. “I don’t think there’s any question about that,” Napier said Wednesday. “I got asked about that today. Every team’s got its own little math problem relative to the 85-scholarship limit and the walk-on roster that you have. Initials (counters) are no longer a part of that so it’s kind of like a new world we’re living in. You’re going to have a certain level of attrition because there’s opportunity to add players to your team, right? “So, I think the right combination of freshmen and transfer players at each position group on our team is different. Sometimes you got an immediate need much like in the NFL and you go to free agency and acquire an impact player, a more experienced player, a veteran player.” The only differences are, unlike the NFL, you can’t bring in a new player via transfer during the season and you can’t trade players with another school. Unlike the NFL, there are no salaries, no contracts with guaranteed money or signing bonuses. “This is much like the draft and free agency,” Napier said. “The issue here is that there’s no contract for any player in the league and there’s no salary for each team so you got a really strange dynamic here and I think we’re looking for some uniformity here.” Fingers of blame have to be pointed at the NCAA for the lack of uniformity. The debacle that is roster management has everything to do with the NCAA never taking into consideration that it would lose the Austin case when it reached the Supreme Court. Based on its dismal record fighting in the courts, the NCAA should have been ready with a Plan B the moment the Supreme Court essentially made NIL legal, but there were none. So we live in a world that begs for rules, yet there are none. There have been efforts to bring Congressional oversight to NIL but do we really want the government to take over college football? That’s exactly what will happen if Congress takes on NIL. First it will be regulation of NIL deals. Next we’ll have players declared as employees whose scholarships may be declared as income and therefore taxed. If players are employees, then coaches will be able to hire and fire them. Will there be a salary cap as there are with professional sports? Will players unionize? Rather than recruiting will we go to a draft? Will players be traded? Maybe it sounds silly to talk about these things, but most of us never foresaw anything like the current debacle. Coaches certainly didn’t and when they measure the current situation, they shake their heads in wonder and ask what can be done to reel it all in. “I’ve said this before at one point and still it’s almost like living in a land with no laws relative to what can you do, what can’t you do,” Napier said. NIL money does affect the way coaches recruit. At Alabama, for example, Heisman Trophy quarterback Bryce Young reportedly made more than $2 million off NIL deals last year. Nick Saban, Lane Kiffin and others have pointed fingers at Texas A&M and Jimbo Fisher. Fisher gets huffy and defensive when the subject of NIL money and last year’s No. 1-ranked recruiting class is mentioned but a lot of well-informed people say the Aggies spent generously to bring in all those stud recruits. For the University of Florida to compete, NIL will have to be part of the recruiting equation whether that’s to land a top recruiting class, bring in experienced transfers who are ready to start from day one or re-recruit players on the current roster to keep them from leaving via the portal. Already numerous Gators are getting NIL money. Anthony Richardson recently added a deal with Gatorade to the several NIL deals he already has in place. There will have to be more deals like that in the future, but Napier believes it will happen. “I think it is a strength, truth be known,” Napier said, reeling off numbers such as the University of Florida’s 470,000 living alumni and a state with a growing population that exceeds 21 million. “I think the Gator fan base in particular in this state are right up there with some NFL franchises. So very capable in that area and our guys are benefitting from that and I think that will continue to grow as there’s more awareness.” Growth and awareness are necessary, but so is coming up with resources. Like it or not, we are in an era where only the strong survive and the strongest will not only have a plan in place but the resources to back it up. If Napier has the resources then every expectation is that he will succeed in a very big way.