(Photo by Chris Spears) MIAMI – Billy Napier’s offense isn’t fooling anyone. Maybe it’s not supposed to. That’s the only logical conclusion after the Gators pulled an oh-fer on third down against 4 th -ranked Miami Saturday night at Hard Rock Stadium.   Hear me out on this one.   Vince Lombardi had the smallest, most simplistic playbook in all of football during the glory years of the Green Bay Packers. His power sweep was legendary. Everybody in the civilized world knew exactly what was coming but nobody could stop it.   It was all about execution Lombardi would explain.     In the early years of the Tampa Bay Bucs, John McKay’s offense didn’t fool anyone. After one frustrating game at the Big Sombrero, the stadium that preceded RayJay in Tampa, McKay was asked about the execution of his offense.   “I’m in favor of it” was McKay’s reply.   So here we are four games into Florida’s 2025 football season and Billy Napier has an offense that isn’t fooling anyone. Exhibit A is the third down stats from the Gators’ 26-7 loss to Miami. The Gators went 0-for-13. You don’t win football games when you can’t convert third downs into first downs and keep the chains moving.   There is no mystery to what the Gators are attempting to do. It’s obvious that Napier has Vince Lombardi allusions but he’s living in a John McKay reality. Billy thinks that sooner or later the Gators are going to execute the plays in his very simplistic playbook. In Billy-think, it doesn’t matter that everyone in the ball yard and whoever is watching on television knows what’s coming. Just execute and everything will be all right.   The reality is the Gators don’t execute and the offense seems hellbent on taking ineptitude to brand new levels.   If there is one play that defines how bad it was, it’s third-and-1 at the Florida 27 with a little more than 12 minutes to go in the game against Miami. The Gators had all the momentum at that point. Despite a first half offensive performance that evoked memories of the 1979 debacle with Alabama or even farther back, the 9-0 loss to Georgia Tech in the first game of the 1963 season.   Florida’s offense in those two games was dog’s butt ugly. But, there in the third quarter the Gators found inspiration, drove the ball 80 yards in 11 plays for a touchdown that got them within six of the Hurricanes at 13-7. An interception by Cormani McClain gave the Gators the ball back but they came up inches short on a fourth-and-4 at the Miami 34.   The defense rose to the occasion with a three-and-out. After a Miami punt the Gators ran Jadan Baugh on consecutive plays that pushed the pile and moved the ball nine yards to the Florida 27.   Third-and-1. When the Gators broke the huddle, everybody in the ball yard and those watching in Timbuktu knew Baugh was going to get the football once again. Not only did Baugh get the football but Miami defenders overwhelmed the Florida offensive line and stuffed him.   Third-and-1 became fourth-and-2.   Billy tried to channel his inner Lombardi. It didn’t work.   Now it’s time for Billy to channel his inner John McKay. This offense isn’t working. It’s a two-fold problem. It’s so simple that everybody in the world knows what’s coming but the Gators either lack the personnel, the coaching or a combination of both to just line up and execute a play that results in a first down.   There is only one solution. Rather than strive for offensive execution that gets first downs when everyone knows what’s coming, try execution. As in, execute this offense. Grab everybody’s playbook, throw it in a pile in the O-Dome parking lot and hold a book burning. Invite the public to come watch.   Perhaps if they see the old offense go up in flames they will give Napier a little bit of slack. Perhaps, but don’t count on it.   In his post game remarks, Napier said, “ We're going to go back to the drawing board, and I think the open date's coming at a good time there. We've got to evaluate everything we're doing on that side of the ball."   It’s a little late for that but given the ineptitude we’ve seen the last two weeks, better late than never. What is there to lose?   Napier is no dummy. He knows it isn’t working.   "We've got to generate some points,” he said. “We've got to get more first downs. We've got to find some rhythm on offense. That's the bottom line.”   Everything he says is true, but he’s leaving out one important factor in turning things around. Who’s going to call the plays?   Even if there is wholesale change that brings about a new scheme complete with mystery and imagination it’s difficult to foresee anything major changing unless someone new calls the plays. It’s like that old southern saying: You can put lipstick on a pig, but it’s still a pig.   Will we get lipstick on the pig during the open date ahead of the close encounter with the Texas Longhorns on September 27 or something brand new?  Something brand new is desperately needed.   The head coach has to see it. Is he willing to actually do something about it?   SEC FOOTBALL No. 3 LSU (4-0, 1-0 SEC) 56, Southeastern Louisiana (2-2) 10: The Tigers had their best offensive output of the season even if it was against a D1AA team. Garrett Nussmeier threw for 273 yards and three touchdowns and Michael Van Buren threw for 122 yards and one TD. Ju’Juan Johnson ran for 43 yards and two touchdowns as part of a 135-yard rushing attack. The LSU defense gave up only 204 yards while finishing with four sacks.   No. 8 Texas (3-1) 55, Sam Houston (0-4) 0: The Texas defense allowed only 113 yards and recorded five sacks in their first shutout of the season. Arch Manning had his best game of the year, hitting 18-21 passes for 309 yards and three touchdowns while running for two more touchdowns Texas finished the day with 607 yards of offense.   No. 11 Oklahoma (4-0, 1-0 SEC) 24, Auburn (3-1, 0-1 SEC) 17: Hugh Freeze should be absolutely livid with the SEC officiating crew that allowed an illegal pass that resulted in an Oklahoma touchdown in the second quarter. OU wide receiver Isaac Sategna acted like he was leaving the field when he stopped next to the sideline prior to the snap. Left completely unguarded, Sategna caught a 24-yard touchdown pass from John Mateer. Take that TD off the board and it’s a completely different ball game. Oklahoma did finish with 10 sacks on the day including one of Auburn QB Jackson Arnold for a safety with 1:06 left in the game to seal the deal. Mateer ran for a TD and Tate Sandell kicked three field goals for the Sooners. Auburn’s defense held Oklahoma to 303 total yards, just 32 on the ground.   No. 13 Ole Miss (4-0, 2-0 SEC) 45, Tulane (3-1) 10: Trinidad Chambliss threw for 307 yards (two touchdowns) and ran for 112 as the Rebels improved to 4-0. Ole Miss piled up 548 yards of offense while going 6-6 in red zone opportunities. The Ole Miss defense held Tulane to 282 yards of offense No. 15 Tennessee (3-1, 0-1 SEC) 56, UAB (2-2) 24: Joey Aguilar threw for 218 yards and three first half touchdowns as Tennessee bounced back from its loss to Georgia with an easy win over UAB. The Vols rang up 510 yards of offense. Concerning for HBC Josh Heupel is the defense, which allowed former Gator Jalen Kitna to throw for 364 yards.   No. 20 Vanderbilt (4-0) 70, Georgia State (2-2) 21: The Commodores ran for 286, yards and eight touchdowns, plus threw for another 349. Diego Pavia threw for 286 yards and one TD, ran for 82 and another. Vanderbilt racked up 635 yards of offense and scored nine offensive touchdowns. The Commodores other score came on a blocked punt.   No. 23 Missouri (4-0, 1-0 SEC) 29, South Carolina (2-2, 0-2 SEC) 20: Missouri rallied to score 11 fourth quarter points to pull away from South Carolina. Missouri pounded out 285 yards on the ground with Ahmad Hardy running for 138 and a touchdown and Jamal Roberts going for 76 including a 16-yard run for the go-ahead touchdown in the fourth quarter. Quarterback Beau Pribula also ran for 72 yards in addition to throwing for 171 and a TD. LaNorris Sellers threw for 302 yards and two touchdowns for the Gamecocks but he was sacked five times by the Missouri defense. South Carolina finished the game with -9 yards of offense.   Memphis (4-0) 32, Arkansas (2-2, 0-1 SEC) 31: Arkansas was driving for the game winning score when Mike Washington fumbled at the Memphis nine with 1:14 remaining in the game. Memphis, which rallied from a 31-20 deficit, scored the game winning touchdown on a 61-yard run by Sutton Smith with 4:51 left in the game. Arkansas QB Taylen Green, the national leader in total offense, threw for 325 yards and ran for 53.   Mississippi State (4-0) 38, Northern Illinois (2-2) 10: Led by Fluff Bothwell, who ran for 101 yards, Mississippi State went ground and pound to bushwhack Northern Illinois. The Bulldogs punished the visiting Huskies for 292 yards, complemented by an efficient passing game behind Blake Shapen, who threw for 160 yards and a TD.   NEXT SATURDAY No. 3 LSU (4-0, 1-0 SEC) at No. 13 Ole Miss (4-0, 2-0 SEC) No. 14 Alabama (2-1) at No. 5 Georgia (3-0, 1-0 SEC) No. 22 Auburn (3-1, 0-1 SEC) at No. 10 Texas A&M (3-0) No. 15 Tennessee (3-1, 0-1 SEC) at Mississippi State (4-0) Utah State (3-1) at No. 20 Vanderbilt (4-0) UMass (0-3) at No. 23 Missouri (4-0, 1-0 SEC) No. 24 Notre Dame (1-2) at Arkansas (2-2, 0-1 SEC) Kentucky (2-1, 0-1 SEC) at South Carolina (2-2, 0-2 SEC)

(Photo by Chris Spears) MIAMI – All things considered, it probably seemed like a good idea at the moment when Billy Napier decided to roll the dice a third time against 4 th -ranked Miami Saturday night at Hard Rock Stadium.   Trailing the Hurricanes (4-0) 13-7, Napier had to decide between going for it on fourth down at the Miami 33 or sending in Trey Smack to kick a field goal. For Smack, who has a school-record tying 56-yarder to his credit this season, a 50-yarder is close to a chip shot but Napier was feeling good about his offense.   On Florida’s 11-play, 80-yard touchdown drive in the third quarter, the Gators faced a fourth-and-2 at the Miami 15. After a first half in which the offense was in witness protection, this was a bold move by the ultra-conservative Napier, but the gamble paid off as Lagway went around the right side for a 3-yard gain to the 12. Two plays later, Jaden Baugh carried Hurricanes into the end zone with him, scoring a TD on a 7-yard run with 3:24 left in the quarter.   When Cormani McClain made an acrobatic interception of a Carson Beck pass on Miami’s first play from scrimmage after the Baugh TD, momentum was on Florida’s side, enough that Napier elected to go for a fourth-and-2 at the Miami 45. This time Lagway completed a 5-yard pass to J Michael Sturdivant. Two plays later the drive slowed when Lagway was sacked for a 9-yard loss back to the 45.   A Lagway to Vernell Brown III pass got 12 yards back but fourth-and-3 called for a decision and this time Napier came up on the short end. Lagway completed a short pass to TJ Abrams who seemed to have enough for the first down when the ball was spotted, but when the chains came in to measure, the Gators were a few inches shy of the 30.   Momentum died on that play and so did Napier’s boldness. On Miami’s takeover series, the Gators forced a three-and-out. Taking over at their own 18, Baugh gained nine yards on first and second downs, but on third-and-1 at the 27, there was no deception whatsoever. Baugh got the carry and almost as soon as he touched the ball he was swarmed under.   This time, Napier chose to punt the ball away rather than risk another fourth down conversion. All Miami did from that point on was pile on a couple of touchdowns to walk away with a 26-7 win that looked a lot more decisive than it really was.   You wouldn’t go so far as to chalk this one up among the many winnable games that have slipped through the Gators’ fingers during the Billy Napier era, but it’s worth asking what might have happened had Napier elected to kick the field goal. Ten straight points and who knows how Miami might have reacted.   When the Hurricanes got the good spot and the turnover on downs after the Abrams catch on fourth down, there was clearly a jolt of energy that swung in their direction. Florida, meanwhile, was deflated and it showed when the Hurricanes pounded out a 13-play, 80-yard drive to take a 20-7 lead. The Hurricanes made three conservative, no-risk passes that accounted for 31 yards. The rest was all grind with Mark Fletcher and CharMar Brown taking turns hammering Florida’s injury-depleted front.   Down two touchdowns, the Gators had more ray of hope possession but a sack and two dropped passes killed off Florida’s final shot at springing the upset. Taking over at the Florida 23, the Hurricanes needed four plays to put the ball in the end zone for the final margin.   If there are fingers of blame to point, then they need to be directed to the Florida offense, which had what might be the worst half any Gator team has had since the 1979 Alabama game at Florida Field. The Gators managed only three first downs in that game and didn’t cross midfield.   In the first quarter, the Gators ran only six plays, good for five yards. Things improved a teensy bit in the second when the Gators picked up their only first down and gained 27 yards.   Take a moment and digest that. At the half, Florida’s offense had one first down and 32 total yards. Miami had the ball for 19:41 of the first half. The Hurricanes had 198 yards of first half offense, which is more than Florida had for the entire game (141).   It’s not that the defense played poorly in the first half, either. There was zero in the way of help from the offense, which was once again highly predictable. Once again, the offensive line struggled to get any traction against the Miami defense whether running the ball or protecting Lagway. Lagway was sacked four times for 21 yards in losses and was hurried into bad throws four times.   Lagway finished the game completing 12-23 passes for 61 yards. No matter what level of football you play, averaging 2.35 yards per pass won’t cut it.   Florida held Miami to 344 total yards but 103 of those came late in the fourth quarter. Carson Beck threw for 160 yards on 17-30 passing with no touchdowns and the one interception. He might have played his way out of Heisman contention. The Hurricanes ran for 184 yards, with 81 of those coming in the fourth quarter.   The loss drops the Gators to 1-3 on the season, their worst start since 1986 when they won their season opener and then lost the next four before beating Kent State on Homecoming 52-9. The Gators went on to win four of their final five games to finish 6-5.   Florida won’t play again for two weeks when 8 th -ranked Texas (3-1) comes to The Swamp. It will be a chance for Florida’s walking wounded to heal up. Four players left the game injured against Miami, at least two (Aaron Gates and Dijon Johnson) with what appeared to be serious injuries. Florida came into the game minus several players, most of which play on the defensive line.

(Photo by Chris Spears) Another week and another chance for the Florida Gators to spring an upset. Last week the Gators had a close but no cigar moment against third-ranked LSU at Tiger Stadium. This week it’s 4 th -ranked Miami (3-0) at Hard Rock Stadium in the Miami burbs.   Last Saturday the Gators played ferocious enough defense to take out LSU if only the offense had cooperated. DJ Lagway played the worst game of his Florida career, heaving five passes to the bad guys, one of which was returned for a touchdown. The Gators had a touchdown called back for holding, the third time that’s happened this season, and two other holding calls helped to snuff out promising drives that had points written all over them.   Despite the numerous blunders, the Gators were in it until the bitter end before they went belly up on the short end of a 20-10 score. That the Gators were able to stay within 10 of the Tigers in that hostile arena does tend to support Billy Napier’s contention that the Gators are close to being a dangerous team if only they can eliminate the mistakes.   In the natural progression of things, one might surmise that little by little, bit by bit Napier has the Gators on track to get on a roll and win some ball games. They were picked to be a top 20 team what they were projected to do when the season began. Instead, they’re 1-2, which is what they were last year three games into the season.   A year ago Napier was teetering on the verge of a pink slip but he rallied the Gators to an 8-5 finish. Napier is back on the endangered species list once again, a place he’s awfully familiar since it seems he’s been there for most of his Florida coaching career.   With nine games remaining on the schedule, Napier has time to play his way off the hottest seat in college football. There isn’t a game on the schedule including Saturday at Miami that the Gators aren’t capable of winning.   By the same token, there isn’t a game on the Florida schedule that the Gators aren’t capable of losing, either. So what is it going to be? Can the Gators turn the season around. Would  a win over Miami tap the brakes on this losing skid, therefore salvaging both the season and Napier’s job?   The people in charge and the ones who will have to write very large checks to buy out Napier’s contract didn’t rush to judgment a year ago and they have shown patience so far, but is their patience wearing thin? If the Gators are dominated by Miami would that cause them to pull the plug or would it simply edge them closer to a decision?   The betting line moved two points Thursday, from 7.5 to 9.5 points which tells us the people in Las Vegas are leaning heavily toward a Miami blowout win. What do the Gators have to do to not only play it closer than 9.5 points but leave Miami with a win that might change the outlook of the entire season?   It all starts with Lagway protecting the football. The Gators cannot turn the ball over and expect to beat the Hurricanes. Secondly, Lagway has to hit open receivers to keep the chains moving. In other words, the Gators have to play a little defense with their offense by keeping the clock moving and the defense off the field.   Secondly, the offensive line has to eliminate the sloppiness that has plagued them every single game. The Gators have to neutralize Miami’s Rueben Bain Jr. coming off the edge and they also have to establish enough of a running threat to keep the pressure off Lagway. Give Jadan Baugh a crease and he can make the Hurricanes pay, but he has to have some blocking.   Third, Lagway has to see the field because Florida’s receivers have been open.   Finally, the Gators have to get pressure on Carson Beck. The Gators picked him off three times a year ago when he was heaving the ball downfield for Georgia. Those picks had everything to do with pressure. Ron Roberts has to have a big game calling the blitzes.   The Gators have the talent to spring the upset. They should have the motivation. The thought here is white knuckles in the fourth quarter. The pick: Miami.      SEC FOOTBALL Southeastern Louisiana (2-1) at No. 3 LSU (3-0, 1-0 SEC): For a team that has very little going in the way of offense, this game sets up perfectly for LSU. But what happens if the offense struggles to move the ball once again? Until LSU can show it can move the ball and score some points they will be a ticking time bomb for a disaster. The pick: LSU   Sam Houston (0-3) at No. 8 Texas (2-1): If Arch Manning has another very average game, then Texas can be officially labeled overrated. Arch has been far from the next great thing. If he can’t do it against winless Sam Houston, then how is he going to get it done against Okahoma,  Georgia and the Aggies? The pick: Texas   No. 22 Auburn (3-0) at No. 11 Oklahoma (3-0): It is homecoming for Auburn QB Jackson Arnold, who started for the Sooners last year. He will have to throw the ball better than he has so far if Auburn is to walk away with a win. If John Mateer carves up the Auburn defense he will take the lead as the Heisman fave. The pick: Oklahoma     Tulane (3-0) at No. 13 Ole Miss (3-0, 2-0 SEC): It’s plug and play for the Ole Miss offense. When Austin Simmons couldn’t answer the bell last week, Trinidad Chambliss stepped in and looked like an absolute world beater. Simmons is healthy enough to play but Chambliss may have very well nudged past Simmons for the No. 1 job. Whoever is at QB, Ole Miss will score plenty. The defense struggled against Arkansas last week. They will give up points but get enough stops against Tulane. The pick: Ole Miss   UAB (2-1) at No. 15 Tennessee (2-1, 0-1 SEC): Job No. 1 for the Tennessee defense is slowing down UAB quarterback Jalen Kitna. If that name sounds familiar it’s because he’s the former Gator.  The Vols are gaining momentum behind QB Joey Aguilar, who has avoided throwing a rash of picks. Aguilar has a serious deep threat in Chris Brazzell II who is off to an All-SEC start. Too much Tennessee in this one. The pick: Tennessee   Georgia State (1-2) at No. 20 Vanderbilt (3-0, 1-0 SEC): Diego Pavia says Vandy is capable of winning a national championship. He’s a pied piper type for whom teammates will run through brick walls to follow him. This game won’t be much of a challenge for the Commodores. They’re going to be 4-0. Everybody is taking Vandy seriously these days. Who would have thought we’d ever see a day like this? The pick: Vanderbilt   South Carolina (2-1, 0-1 SEC) at No. 23 Missouri (3-0); LaNorris Sellers has been cleared to play so South Carolina will have its leader, but will it make a difference? The Gamecocks have been sluggish offensively with or without Sellers, who got conked out last week and spent three quarters of the loss to Vandy on concussion protocol. Mizzou, meanwhile, has a stud QB in Beau Pribula, who is playing like the All-SEC QB Sellers was supposed to be. The Mizzou offense is top ten nationally while the defense is top five. The Fighting Chickens will be overwhelmed. The pick: Missouri   Arkansas (2-1, 0-1 SEC) at Memphis (3-0): The Razorbacks know how to score points but their defense was exposed last week by Ole Miss. Memphis has deep threat wide receivers and a dual threat QB in Brendon Lewis.  The Tigers will put some points on the board, but the defense won’t get enough stops. Taylon Green leads the country in total offense and he has an All-SEC type target in O’Mega Blake to throw it to. Those are just two of the many weapons Arkansas has. Too many for Memphis. The pick: Arkansas   Northern Illinois (1-1) at Mississippi State (3-0): Mississippi State is on upset alert. Northern Illinois bushwhacked Notre Dame in South Bend last year and won’t be intimidated by all the cowbells. Northern Illinois plays stout defense and if Mississippi State is looking ahead to Tennessee, then they will lose this one. This is going to be a close one, but Mississippi State has already shown it can win when it went white knuckles against then 12 th -ranked Arizona State. That will be the difference. The pick: Mississippi State   FINALLY, MAD MAX’S STATS RESTORED   It took 35 years, but Vernon Maxwell’s scoring records were officially restored by the University of Florida.   “It’s time,” Florida athletic director Scott Stricklin said in restoring the 1,404 points Maxwell scored in his junior and senior seasons to the record book. With the acknowledgement, Maxwell is officially the No. 1 scorer in Florida basketball history with 2,450 points, an average of 18.8 per game.   Maxwell had his junior and senior season records stripped by then UF athletic director Bill Arnsparger after the NCAA sanctioned the basketball program. Florida’s NCAA Tournament wins in 1987 and 1988 were vacated. In response, head coach Norm Sloan was fired and Maxwell was singled out.   For 35 years, the only mention of Maxwell in the scoring column were the 1,006 he scored as a freshman and sophomore. Calls to restore the points from his junior and senior season fell on deaf ears until Stricklin removed the sanction Arnsparger placed on Maxwell.   “Vernon Maxwell is one of the greatest players ever to wear a Gator uniform,” Stricklin said. “You could not write the history of Florida basketball without him. What happened with the program and the NCAA did not change what Vernon accomplished on the court in helping to put the Gators on the national basketball map. He earned those points.”   From Florida Vernon went on to the NBA where he was part of two championship teams (Houston Rockets, 1994-95) during a 12-year career in which he scored 10,912 points (12.8 average).   It is a travesty that for 35 years the University of Florida refused to acknowledge Vernon Maxwell’s records but better late than never that his scoring records have been restored.

The Gators take the trip down south for the first of Billy’s Last Stands. By Loren Meadows, GatorBaitMedia.com , Football Analyst, Host of the Lowdown with Loren Meadows Billy Napier is 20-21 at Florida and 1-3 against Miami and FSU( Chris Spears photo) 20-21. That is Billy Napier’s record including a 1-3 record against Florida’s most hated rivals. The Napier era came in with a bang with a lot of well thought out plans and attention to detail that has yielded a pre-modern era worst for the Florida Gators. Florida is on its last leg with its 4th coach since Pope Urban left the 352 and looks to be prepared to welcome its 5th. Regardless of that the trip to Miami and subsequent games to follow will be played no matter what happens to Napier, and it was a similar situation last season where the next loss could have been the last. Napier somehow barricaded himself and his team within the walls of the Heavener Complex and fought off all comers to get his team to eight wins and one of the best turnarounds of 2024. To do that again he will take his team to the home of fourth ranked Miami, a team that looks poised for a return to the success their head coach Mario Cristobal helped usher in as part of the Miami dynasty of the 80’s and early 90’s. Miami is stout up front on both sides of the ball and the defense is playing with an edge that makes you wonder what keeps that edge from finding its way to Napier’s bunch? Has the procession of doom started for Napier at Florida, or can he make one more stand as Florida heads into an off week? The next 48 hours will tell us a lot and as you will see, it won’t be easy.  Miami Offense Key Players: #11 QB Carson Beck (6-4, 225, R-Sr./Georgia), #4 RB Mark Fletcher Jr. (6-2, 225 Jr.), #6 RB CharMar Brown (5-11, 220, R-So/North Dakota State) #7 WR CJ Daniels (6-2, 205, R-Sr./Liberty/LSU), # WR Malachai Toney (5-11, 188, Fr.), #0 WR Keelon Marion (6-0,195 R-Sr./BYU/UConn), #61 OL Francis Mauigoa (6-6, 335, Jr.), #73 OL Anez Cooper (6-6, 345, Sr.) Key Matchups: Miami Offensive Line v. Florida Defensive Line, Carson Beck v. Florida Secondary Under offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson, who may well be on his way to a head coaching job the Miami offense has seen a resurgence that is reminiscent of past dominance. Cam Ward was a Heisman trophy candidate and #1 pick in the draft last season and Dawson has given Carson Beck full control of his system with the ability to choose from 3-4 plays at the line of scrimmage for optimal performance. While Beck is the head of the Ibis the dominant offensive line is its most important piece. This is a unit that protects Beck like the secret service and can lean on you in the run game. Miami is averaging 5.1 yards per rush and has surrendered just four sacks in the first three games of the season. The air raid hybrid offense has been a perfect fit for Beck who looks to be playing his best ball after returning from an injured shoulder suffered in last year’s playoffs at Georgia. Beck has thrown seven touchdowns against two picks and is 11th nationally in passer rating completing close to 80 percent of his throws. His top receivers, the trio of CJ Daniels, Malachai Toney, and Keelon Marion have big game experience and have combined for 42 catches and four touchdowns. Look for Miami to find out if the Florida defensive front is up to the task with a heavy dose of Fletcher and Brown early. Should the Gators take the bait Dawson will look to dial up play actions with a crosser and a post behind it to entice the Florida safeties into the trap. Carson Beck threw three interceptions to the Gators last season and maybe should have thrown two more. Florida will look to confuse Beck with pre-snap movement and then move the frame again after the ball has been snapped. The Florida defense has played well this season surrendering just two touchdowns in three games. Unfortunately, they have only two sacks on the season and just three turnovers. If Florida can make Beck uncomfortable things could get interesting. Another 300 spot for Beck and the Gator fans head north to beat the traffic early.  Miami Defense Key Players: #4 DB Rueben Bain Jr. (6-3, 270, Jr.), #3 DL Akheem Mesidor (6-3, 265, R-Sr.), #11 DL David Blay Jr. (6-5, 305, 5th-Yr./Louisiana Tech/West Chester) #DL Ahmad Moten Sr. (6-3, 300, R-Jr., #1 LB Mohamed Toure (6-2, 235, Gr./Rutgers), #10 LB Raul Aguire Jr. (6-2, 240, Jr., #0 S Keionte Scott (6-0, 195 6 th Yr./Auburn) # S Jakobe Thomas (6’2, 200, 5th Yr./Tennessee/MTSU), #29 CB OJ Frederique Jr. (6-0, 185, Jr.) Key Matchups: Bain v. Barber, DJ Lagway v. 7 Defenders in Pass Coverage Just like the offense the Miami defense makes their money up front. Reuben Bain Jr. may be the best edge rusher in the country and is an early candidate for national honors. Miami has the talent to get home with just four pass rushers which allows the second and third levels to play free and create havoc. Defensive line coach Damione Lewis has the unit playing at high level after leading a Colorado unit that led the Big 12 in sacks in 2024. Miami struggled to get its defense off the field last season so defensive coordinator Corey Heatherman, Lewis, and former Florida DB coach Will Harris were brought in to retool the unit.  Miami has blitzed its opponent’s 40 percent of the time while playing coverage (dropping 7 or more players) the rest of the time. Playing coverage means one of three things. You are great on early downs, you can get pressure with just four guys, or you are playing with an early lead. With Miami it is all of the above and that’s where they will look to make life hard on the Gators.  Lagway has struggled versus drop coverage to the tune of a 30% completion percentage. While many believe this is a bye product of bad footwork and bad play design, it is noticeable, nonetheless. Miami will look to get pressure with just four guys putting the Florida tackles and their much-maligned guard rotation at the center of attention. Lagway has been ineffective when scrambling so Napier will have to get his quarterback into simple short throws or run the ball to get Miami guessing. With an offensive system that no one seems to understand but Napier, and with no defined checks and balances don’t expect anything but struggles from Lagway.  The Skinny: Miami is confident, Miami is talented, and Miami is better. Now that is not to say that the Gators who have a talented roster could not go in and get a huge win for the program and its coach, but I wouldn’t bet on it. Whatever the Napier era has been it has not been what was expected. With a million people in a Jordan shirt walking around the facility they have failed to make a dent where it matters most, on the field. The schedule is the toughest in the country, but it is also filled with some of the best football minds as well. Florida has failed to match those wits for 41 games and Saturday will most likely be no different. Florida has the talent to play with anyone in the country, and while the tools are built for the best tool box, it is carried in a box made by Fisher-Price. With no real efficient plan on offense and a quarterback who is criminally being stunted, the Gators will play hard, but it won’t be enough. Beck will come back to earth this week, but the offensive line for Florida has not and will not be enough to help the defense who will keep Florida in it. Off week and change to follow? At 1-3 its unfortunately, not if but when.    Prediction: Miami 27 Florida 17

(Photo by Chris Spears)   Knowing Billy Napier’s coaching head is clearly on the college football chopping block, it will be interesting to see how the Gators (1-2) respond Saturday when they play 4 th -ranked Miami (3-0) at Hard Rock Stadium (7:30 p.m., ABC).   From a pure talent standpoint, the Gators have more than enough to hang with the Hurricanes but the object of the game is to save Napier’s job, so only a win will do. One win isn’t going to save Napier’s job, even if it is on the road and against the No. 4 team in the country, but it will certainly buy time. And, since it’s only the fourth game of the season, a win will keep the door open for Napier to get the Gators to respond similarly to what they did at the end of the 2024 season. Napier is coaching the Gators now because he got the team to win four in a row.   That was then and this is now.   In the here and now, any kind of loss might very well take the guesswork out of the decision that the University of Florida higher-ups have to make. So, how will the Gators respond?   If the Gators show up fully focused and eliminate the silly penalties and mental mistakes that have plagued them throughout their three games, a win isn’t out of the question but beating the Hurricanes will be a real grind. Do the Gators have the toughness to do some trench warfare and out-physical the Hurricanes? One of the complaints so far about the Gators is they lack toughness. A soft team makes the kind of errors that have cost them the last two games. A team that embraces its toughness will show up focused. It's a legitimate concern that the Gators haven’t shown themselves capable of slugging out a win.   So which team is going to show up Saturday? The one that can channel its inner Mike Tyson, ready for a toe-to-toe fight to the finish? Or the team that will figure out a new way to lose a football game?   The players have to know that losing will not just cost Napier but could very well diminish their value should they elect to transfer. That’s life in this age of NIL. Gators who are thinking of transferring need to play as hard as possible to create value for themselves in the transfer portal. Nothing diminishes cash value quite like a lack of effort.   Napier loves talking about the character of these players. If they are as high character as Napier believes, then they will play hard and give something that strongly impersonates maximum effort. They need to do it for the coach. They need to do it for themselves.   They also need to do it for the fan base. The only way they’re going to win back the fan base is play like they’re possessed.       JULUKE SUSPENDED THREE GAMES   As if there aren’t enough things that have gone wrong in the first month of the 2025 football season, now running backs coach Jabbar Juluke has been suspended three games for his actions during a pre-game altercation when the Gators played LSU in Baton Rouge. During the altercation, video appeared to show Juluke slapping LSU safety Joel Rogers. The SEC and Florida suspended Juluke three games. He will be allowed to coach during the week but won’t be on the sidelines or in the booth with the team the next three games.   BANKS HAS SURGICAL PROCEDURE ON HIS FOOT   Florida’s defense will be without lineman Caleb Banks for the foreseeable future. Banks, who missed the first two games while recovering from a foot injury, re-injured the foot during the LSU game. He has undergone a surgical procedure in Birmingham at the foot and ankle center headed by renowned orthopedic surgeon Dr. James Andrews.   SEC FOOTBALL No. 14 Alabama (2-1): Alabama doesn’t play Georgia until September 27 in Athens, but the Crimson Tide has already been established as 3.5-point underdogs … Alabama receivers have been plagued by a case of the drops so far. “Guys have to continue to watch the ball all the way in,” HBC Kalen DeBoer said Wednesday.   Arkansas (2-1, 0-1 SEC): Defensive end Quincy Rhodes and defensive tackle David Oke are both expected to play Saturday at Memphis. Corner Kani Walker is questionable … Quarterback Taylen Greene leads the nation in total offense. He’s thrown for 866 yards (11 touchdowns) and run for 307 (2 touchdowns). Saturday: at Memphis (3-0)   No. 22 Auburn (3-0): Listed as probable for Oklahoma are running back Damari Alston and wide receiver Malcolm Simmons. Listed as questionable are safety Champ Anthony, wide receiver Eric Singleton, corner Rayshawn Pleasant and offensive tackle Izavion Miller. Doubtful are corner Jay Crawford and defensive end Amaris Williams. Out is running back Durrell Robinson. Saturday: at No. 11 Oklahoma (3-0)   No. 5 Georgia (3-0, 1-0 SEC): Joel Klatt of Fox Sports calls Gunner Stockton one of the top five quarterbacks in the country. “The throws he made against Tennessee were spectacular,” Klatt said on his Wednesday podcast.   Kentucky (2-1, 0-1 SEC): Zach Calzada has returned to practice. Will he be able to supplant backup Cutter Boley, who played very well in the Wildcats win over Eastern Michigan?     No. 3 LSU (3-0, 1-0 SEC): Despite what is being called a torso injury, quarterback Garrett Nussmeier is expected to play Saturday against Southeastern Louisiana. “I think he needs to play,” LSU coach Brian Kelly said on the SEC Coaches Teleconference on Wednesday. Saturday: Southeastern Louisiana (2-1)   Mississippi State (3-0): The Bulldogs have been flagged for 30 penalties in three games, worst in the SEC and No. 130 nationally … D.D. Lewis, an All-SEC linebacker who became a fixture in the Dallas Cowboys “Doomsday” defense of the 1970s, passed away. He was 79. Saturday: Northern Illinois (1-1)   No. 23 Missouri (3-0): Out for Saturday’s game with South Carolina are kicker Blake Craig, backup quarterback Sam Horn and offensive lineman Logan Reichert. Saturday: South Carolina (2-1, 0-1 SEC)   No. 11 Oklahoma (3-0): SEC Network analyst Jordan Rodgers says that Oklahoma QB John Mateer is “the guy right now to beat in the Heisman race.” Mateer has thrown for 944 yards and five touchdowns while running for 161 and four more scores through three games. Saturday: No. 22 Auburn (3-0)   No. 13 Ole Miss (3-0, 2-0 SEC): Austin Simmons is expected to be back at quarterback Saturday against Tulane. Given the way backup Trinidad Chambliss played last week when Simmons was out, it’s not a reach to see a quarterback controversy brewing in Oxford.  Saturday: Tulane (3-0)   South Carolina (2-1, 0-1 SEC): Listed as questionable for Missouri are quarterback LaNorris Sellers and wide receiver Mazeo Bennett Jr. Questionable are tight end Michael Smith and defensive back Judge Collier. Saturday: at No. 23 Missouri (3-0)   No. 15 Tennessee (2-1, 0-1 SEC): Through three games QB Joey Aguilar has thrown for 906 yards and nine TDs while running for one more TD. How well Aguilar has done has to gall UCLA. Aguilar spent the spring at UCLA, but when former Vol Nico Iamaleava decided to leave Tennessee and transfer to UCLA, Aguilar left for Knoxville. Through three games Iamaleava has thrown for 636 yards and three touchdowns for the 0-3 Bruins. Saturday: UAB (2-1)   No. 8 Texas (2-1): Former Gator Scooby Williams is undergoing testing to determine the extent of a lower body injury suffered in the win over Notre Dame.  Saturday: Sam Houston (0-3)   No. 10 Texas A&M (3-0): Safety Bryce Anderson is still recovering from his injury at Notre Dame. HBC Mike Elko expects to have Anderson back this season although there is no timetable for his return.   Vanderbilt (3-0, 1-0 SEC): Despite his attorney saying QB Diego Pavia could go to court to get a seventh season of eligibility, Pavia has shut down that notion … The Commodores have the No. 10 offense in the SEC (431.3 yards per game) and third in total defense (231.7 yards per game). Saturday: Georgia State (1-2)   A PLAN TO SAVE COLLEGE FOOTBALL FROM ITSELF   The NCAA, in its infinite wisdom, eliminated the spring transfer portal Wednesday.  Consider it the first step toward doing something positive by an organization that consistently gets it wrong.   The NCAA Division I Football Oversight Committee voted for one 10-day window – January 2-11 – when it met back in September but oddly that proposal was not approved Wednesday. A majority coaches want a single portal in January after the bowl games. Not in favor is the Big Ten, which was the only power conference that didn’t support the coaches proposal.   A single portal in January won’t solve the NCAA’s numerous issues, but it would be a step in the right direction. If the NCAA were to take things further, they could go a long way toward saving college football from itself.   Here is how.   1. Eliminate spring football. A 12-game season is tough enough on the kids who play the game, but when you add in the conference championship game followed by the possibility of four more in the playoff, the season could last 17 games, which is the same as the NFL regular season.   Use the spring semester as a time for the athletes to get their academics in order and allow their bodies to recover from the long season. Open the portal for 10 days in January. Athletes will be able to transfer or they can finish things up at their school then transfer in the summer.   2. By eliminating spring football as we know it, high school kids can graduate with their friends and classmates, go to their proms, and play basketball or other sports in the spring.   3. A single signing day in February AFTER the portal has opened and closed. Coaches and kids alike could make better decisions about schools that are a good fit.   4. For Division I, eliminate games against D1AA schools in the fall. Instead, allow the D1AA schools to play Division I teams in June. Do that instead of the glorified scrimmage which bores everyone. Pay the D1AA team, have them bring their band and watch the sellouts. The Division I team doesn’t risk the embarrassing loss to a D1AA team and the D1AA team picks up its paycheck without absorbing a loss that could keep it out of its playoffs.   If the NCAA were to adopt this or something similar to it, perhaps as many as half the problems currently plaguing college football could be eliminated.

Week 4 in Miami will be the 43rd appearance for the Gators on ESPN College Gameday and first since 9/21/22 vs Tennessee, with an all-time record of 26-16.

Lane Kiffin and the horse he rode to town on with his dad once upon a time (Family photo).

When it comes to football, nobody really pays attention to close calls. It’s like that old adage close only counts in horse shoes and hand grenades.   When it comes to the Florida Gators, nobody says the Gators are just a handful of bad plays away from a 3-0 record that would have them highly ranked and teetering on the verge of playoff contention. People only pay attention to the bottom line and that’s 1-2.   If the Gators were 3-0 right now – they’re a TD called back for either a holding penalty or a dubious offensive pass interference against South Florida and another TD nullified by holding and a pick six at LSU – Billy Napier would have the longest winning streak in the country. Seven games. Everybody would be talking up Saturday when Billy matches up with his former colleague on the Alabama staff, Miami coach Mario Cristobal.   At 1-2, however, people are wondering if Florida athletic director Scott Stricklin gives Napier the pink slip after the Gators match up with 4 th -ranked Miami (3-0) at Hard Rock Stadium Saturday (7:30 p.m., ABC) or if Napier does a Houdini and buys some time with an upset.   The people who set the point spreads in Las Vegas seem to think the Gators are in for a third consecutive close call since they’ve made Miami a 7.5-point favorite. A close call or blowout loss won’t do anything for Napier’s job security and from the perspective of Florida fans, a win would only delay the inevitable. They, along with a super majority in the national media, see Napier as a goner even if he leaves Miami with his first road win over a ranked team since he took the Florida job.   The reason few, if any, are giving Napier any slack is because the schedule ahead is a minefield. After the open date that follows the Miami game, the Gators are home against 8 th -ranked Texas followed by a roadie to College Station to face 10 th -ranked Texas A&M. Texas was the preseason favorite to win the national championship and the Aggies are playing like they might be the toughest and most dangerous team on the Florida schedule. Get past those two games and the Gators still have games remaining with 5 th -ranked Georgia in Jacksonville, at 13 th -ranked Ole Miss, and home games with 15 th -ranked Tennessee and 7 th -ranked Florida State.   “ Reality is, you got to show up every week, I don't care who you play,” Napier said Monday. “Look at college football out there right now. So we're just as capable.  We could easily be 3-0. Probably a dozen plays away from being 3-0.”   Yes, but at 3-0, perceptions would be radically different than they are now. We can fantasize about what coulda, woulda or shoulda been, but in the real world the Gators are 1-2 with a season already deemed a total bust even though there are nine games remaining on the schedule.   After seeing the Gators snatch defeat from the jaws of victory the last two games, no one seems to think Napier and his coaching staff can transform the team from one that finds ways to lose into one that can put the fear of God into any and everyone.   “We’re close to being pretty dangerous,” Napier said Monday.   Close, yes. In the 41 games that Napier has been Florida’s football coach (20-21 record), there have been 11 games decided by 10 or fewer points. In most of the close call losses, the Gators have all but given the game away because of self-inflicted wounds.    Against South Florida, there were the holding calls that nullified two touchdown passes, ironically both on the same drive that wound up with a field goal. The Gators lost by two points. Against LSU, there was the TD called back because of a holding call and five interceptions. One of the interceptions set up a field goal at the end of the first half and the other was a pick six.   Nobody knows more than Napier how close the Gators are to 3-0. Nobody also knows more than Napier how the Gators have allowed two winnable games to slip through their fingers. In a best case scenario it would seem that his job is on the line and salvageable with a strong finish.   The reality scenario is it will take a miracle of the walls of Jericho tumbling down proportions for Napier to be coaching the Gators all the way through the 2025 season. The only control he has over his own job security is to go on a winning tear.    Can the Gators orchestrate the kind of turnaround that will keep Napier gainfully employed?   "I think that they're a group that knows how they're that close," Napier said. "All parts of our team have to go play at a high level, given who we're playing. And I think that's, we're seeking that. And I think they know that, we know that, you know that. A lot of our guys are doing a heck of a job. So, yeah, we're close to being pretty dangerous, in my opinion."   SEC FOOTBALL No. 14 Alabama (2-1): Bray Hubbard, who intercepted two passes against Wisconsin, was named SEC Co-Defensive Player of the Week … Alabama has the week off, which will help in the recovery of defensive end LT Overton, defensive tackle Tim Keenan and running back Jam Miller. All three could be back in time for next week’s game at Georgia.   Arkansas (2-1, 0-1 SEC): Saturday opponent Memphis has nine sacks in three games and is allowing only 69 rushing yards per game. Against the pass, the Tigers allow only. 5.7 yards per attempt … Arkansas is a 7.5-point favorite. Saturday: at Memphis (3-0)   No. 22 Auburn (3-0): Running back Damari Alston, safety Champ Anthony and wide receiver Malcolm Simmons are expected to play against Oklahoma. All three were held out of the win over South Alabama. Wide receiver Eric Singleton Jr. suffered a hip pointer but he’s expected to play Saturday … The Tigers are 6.5-point underdogs on the road. Saturday: at No. 11 Oklahoma (3-0)   No. 5 Georgia (3-0, 1-0 SEC): Quarterback Gunner Stockton was named SEC Offensive Player of the Week for his play against Tennessee and placekicker Peyton Woodring was named SEC Special Teams Player of the Week. Stockton threw for 304 yards and two touchdowns and ran for another. Woodring kicked three field goals and five extra points in the win.   Kentucky (2-1): A concern for Mark Stoops this bye week is fixing the O-line, which gave up four sacks to Eastern Michigan.   No. 3 LSU (3-0, 1-0 SEC): Dashawn Spears, who ran one of his two interceptions against Florida back for a touchdown, was named SEC Co-Defensive Player of the Week … HBC Brian Kelly says that quarterback Garrett Nussmeier is fighting through a torso injury that affects his ability to throw the ball. Through three games, Nussmeier is averaging only 6.5 yards per pass attempt with three TDPs and two interceptions. Saturday: Southeastern Louisiana (2-1)   Mississippi State (3-0): If the Bulldogs are able to score a win Saturday against Northern Illinois it will mark their first 4-0 start since the 2014 season … The Bulldogs are 21.5-point favorites. Saturday: Northern Illinois   No. 23 Missouri (3-0): The Mizzou defense gave up only four first downs against Louisiana and one of those came on a pass interference call … Missouri has opened as a 13.5-point favorite over South Carolina. Saturday: South Carolina (2-1, 0-1 SEC)   No. 11 Oklahoma (3-0): Running back Tory Blaylock, who gained 100 yards on 14 carries and scored two touchdowns, was named SEC Freshman of the Week … The Sooners are 6.5-point favorites against Auburn.  Saturday: No. 22 Auburn (3-0)   No. 13 Ole Miss (3-0, 2-0 SEC): Trinidad Chambers, the backup QB who led the Rebels past Arkansas in his first SEC start, passed for 26 touchdowns and ran for 25 last season while leading Ferris State to the Division II national championship. Chambers could be the starter again this week if Austin Simmons’ ankle doesn’t respond … Tackle Diego Pounds was named SEC Co-Offensive Lineman of the Week … The Rebels are 11.5-point favorites over non-conference Tulane. Saturday: Tulane (3-0)   South Carolina (2-1, 0-1 SEC): Shane Beamer is optimistic that QB LaNorris Sellers will pass concussion protocol and will play against Missouri … The Gamecocks are 13.5-point underdogs to Missouri. Saturday: at No. 23 Missouri (3-0)   No. 15 Tennessee (2-1, 0-1 SEC): Defensive lineman Jaxson Moi is listed day-to-day as the Vols prepare for UAB … The Vols are 40.5-point favorites. Saturday: UAB (2-1)   No. 8 Texas (2-1): Through three games Arch Manning is 47-85 passing for 579 yards (6.8 per attempt) with six touchdown passes and three interceptions … The Longhorns are 41.5-point favorites Saturday.  Saturday: Sam Houston (0-3)   No. 10 Texas A&M (3-0): Albert Regis, who had seven tackles and a sack in the win over Notre Dame, was named SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week.   No. 20 Vanderbilt (3-0, 1-0 SEC): Guard Jordan White, who didn’t allow a sack or a pressure on 30 pass snaps against South Carolina, was named SEC Co-Offensive Lineman of the Week … Vandy is a 26.5-point favorite against Georgia State. Saturday: Georgia State (1-2)

UAA Photo

(Photo by Chris Spears) When he was the head basketball coach at the University of Texas, the late great Abe Lemons opened his Sunday morning coach’s show on television throughout the state by emerging from a coffin. There was rampant speculation that Lemons was about to be fired.   “We ain’t dead yet,” Lemons said as he sat up in the coffin. He lasted two more seasons before he was fired.   At Texas the expectations were through the roof for the coach who once had his Oklahoma City team play a shirts and skins scrimmage at halftime of an NIT game in Madison Square Garden. After a game in which Rice coach Mike Shuler made 99 substitutions, Abe said, “All they need are a few clowns to make a circus.”   Abe was funny but what they wanted at Texas was wins. Abe Lemons’ sense of humor bought him time but sooner or later the laughs wouldn’t work anymore and Texas fired him.   That was more than 40 years ago. Fast forward to the here and now and change sports. It’s football at Florida where expectations are through the roof for Billy Napier. Billy is 1-2 and No. 4 Miami is next on a Florida schedule that can only be described as brutal. Billy didn’t make the SEC schedule, which, for the second straight year, is probably the toughest in the country. An easier schedule and maybe the Gators would be winning games.   But, you have to show up and play whoever is on the schedule, and winning is a requirement, particularly when your monthly paycheck is upwards of $600,000. Florida fans expect championships. They don’t mind paying $1 million a win as long as you’re winning.   Billy isn’t winning. And he isn’t funny. He isn’t paid to be funny but if he were maybe perceptions would be a little bit different. He’s a nice guy and players love him because they know he cares for them, but why won’t those same players win for him?     Someone on X pointed out that if the Gators were to go on a 28-game winning streak, Billy’s winning percentage would be equal to that of Dan Mullen. Mullen was fired with a 34-15 record. Billy is 20-21, which is why buzzards are circling the Heavener Center.   Associated Press Top 25: 1. Ohio State 3-0; 2. Penn State 3-0; 3. LSU 3-0; 4. Miami 3-0; 5. Georgia 3-0; 6. Oregon 3-0; 7. Florida State 2-0; 8. Texas 2-1; 9. Illinois 3-0; 10. Texas A&M 3-0; 11. Oklahoma 3-0; 12. Iowa State 4-0; 13. Ole Miss 3-0; 14. Alabama 2-1; 15. Tennessee 2-1; 16. Utah 3-0; 17. Texas Tech 3-0; 18. Georgia Tech 3-0; 19. Indiana 3-0; 20. Vanderbilt 3-0; 21. Michigan 2-1; 22. Auburn 3-0; 23. Missouri 3-0; 24. Notre Dame 0-2; 25. Southern California 3-0   AFCA Coaches Top 25: 1. Ohio State 3-0; 2. Penn State 3-0; 3. Georgia 3-0; 4. LSU 3-0; 5. Oregon 3-0; 6. Miami 3-0; 7. Texas 2-1; 8. Illinois 3-0; 9. Florida State 2-0; 10. Texas A&M 3-0; 11. Ole Miss 3-0; 12. Oklahoma 3-0; 13. Iowa State 4-0; 14. Alabama 2-1; 15. Tennessee 2-1; 16. Texas Tech 3-0; 17. Indiana 3-0; 18. Utah 3-0; 19. Georgia Tech 3-0; 20. Michigan 2-1; 21. Notre Dame 0-2; 22. Missouri 3-0; 23. Vanderbilt 3-0; 24. South Carolina 2-1; 25. Auburn 3-0   COUNTDOWN TO FIRING DAY GETS UNDER WAY WITH A BANG Extinct Species List Deshaun Foster, UCLA: It took only 15 games for UCLA to decide it had made a mistake. That and paying a boatload of money for Nico Iamaleava. Folks are wishing he had stayed at Tennessee now. High on the list is Oregon defensive coordinator Tosh Lupoi.   Brent Pry, Virginia Tech: The Hokies have been pathetic this season and it’s not going to get any better. Top of the list names for the job are Shane Beamer, son of the legendary VaTech coach, and Michael Vick, Tech alum who is the first year coach at Norfolk State. Who wants the job badly? Jimbo Fisher. He would be the smart hire.   ON LIFE SUPPORT Billy Napier, Florida: Word is that he’s dead man walking.   David Braun, Northwestern: If he loses either of the next two (UCLA, Louisiana-Monroe) he probably gets the axe.   Deion Sanders, Colorado: Now that his kids have graduated the fan base has lost plenty of patience.   Joe Moorhead, Akron: Outstanding play caller for teams with talent, not such a good head coach especially at a place that isn’t going to land talent.   Trent Bray, Oregon State: The Beavers are 0-3, 1-9 in their last 10.   ENDANGERED SPECIES LIST Mark Stoops, Kentucky: That 10-3 record in 2021 spoiled Wildcat fans.   Sam Pittman, Arkansas: The Hogs have  enough offense to win in shootout fashion. Can they get to seven wins?    Derek Mason, Middle Tennessee: Great defensive coordinator. Not such a good head coach.   Mike Gundy, Oklahoma State: Four of the next five games are in Stillwater, so Gundy has a chance to calm the masses after absorbing a 66-3 shellacking by Oregon a couple of weeks ago.   Scott Satterfield, Cincinnati: The Bearcats are currently 2-1 but until Saturday they haven’t played a Big 12 game. Now he can start to sweat.   Gerad Parker, Troy: It wasn’t that long ago that Joe Sumrall was winning big. Another losing season and Parker is likely gone.   SEC FOOTBALL No. 14 Alabama (2-1): Ty Simpson has completed 64-79 passes for 862 yards (9.7 per attempt) with nine touchdowns and zero picks. In the last two games, Simpson is 41-46 for 608 yards and seven touchdowns.   Arkansas (2-1, 0-1 SEC): The Razorbacks are fifth in the nation in total offense (569.3 yards per game). They can move the ball and put points on the scoreboard, but the defense was exposed against Ole Miss, which torched them for 475 yards and 41 points.   Saturday: at Memphis (3-0)   No. 22 Auburn (3-0): Quarterback Jackson Arnold returns to Oklahoma Saturday. Arnold started 10 games as a redshirt freshman for the Sooners last year. At Auburn, he has thrown for four touchdowns and run for four more.  Saturday: at No. 11 Oklahoma (3-0)   No. 5 Georgia (3-0, 1-0 SEC): Southern Cal transfer wide receiver Zachariah Branch has become the favorite target for quarterback Gunner Stockton. Branch has caught 11 passes for 181 yards and two touchdowns.   Kentucky (2-1, 0-1 SEC): The Wildcats have an open date so quarterback Zach Calzada (shoulder) has time to do some healing. Cutter Boley started and played the entire game in the win over Eastern Michigan.   No. 3 LSU (3-0, 1-0 SEC): Four games into the season and the Tigers have yet to gain at least 400 yards in a game. They were held to a season low 316 yards but still beat Florida 20-10. LSU is averaging 345.7 yards and only 20 points per game. Saturday: Southeastern Louisiana (2-1)   Mississippi State (3-0): Bulldog fans are giddy. They’re about to go 4-0. If they can figure out how to get to six games they might have a tractorcade to Birmingham for the bowl game against a nobody. Saturday: Northern Illinois (1-1)   No. 23 Missouri (3-0): Eli Drinkwitz has his QB in Beau Pribula, a stud running back in Ahmad Hardy (462 yards, 8 touchdowns) and a nasty defense (No. 5 nationally, 200.7 yards per game). The Tigers are evolving into the team nobody in the SEC wants to play. Saturday: South Carolina (2-1, 0-1 SEC)   No. 11 Oklahoma (3-0): For all the talk about quarterback John Mateer, the Oklahoma defense is a force. The Sooners have the top defense in the SEC and No. 4 nationally, giving up just 181 yards and 6.3 points per game. Saturday: No. 22 Auburn (3-0)   No. 13 Ole Miss (3-0, 2-0 SEC): Austin Simmons (ankle) couldn’t answer the bell against Arkansas. No problem. Trinidad Chambers, who led Ferris State to the Division II national title a year ago, made his first SEC start, completing 21-29 passes for 353 yards and a touchdown while running for 62 more yards and two touchdowns.  Saturday: Tulane (3-0)   South Carolina (2-1, 0-1 SEC): Quarterback LaNorris Sellers will be evaluated Tuesday to see if he is fit to play against Missouri . Sellers suffered a concussion that was the result of targeting. He’s under protocol until Tuesday morning. Saturday: at No. 23 Missouri (3-0)   No. 15 Tennessee (2-1, 0-1 SEC): Chris Brazzell II has emerged as one of the better deep threats in the SEC. He has 20 catches for 364 yards and five touchdowns. In the loss to Georgia, Brazzell caught six passes for 177 yards and three touchdowns. Saturday: UAB (2-1)   No. 8 Texas (2-1): Even with a pair of cupcake opponents the last two weeks the Longhorns haven’t been able to get the offense untracked. The Longhorns rank 14 th in offense in the SEC at 382.7 yards per game. Saturday: Sam Houston (0-3)   No. 10 Texas A&M (3-0): Notre Dame had no way to handle wide receiver Mario Carver, who caught seven passes for 207 yads and a touchdown. Through three games, the Aggie receiver has caught 20 passes for 443 yards and four touchdowns.   No. 20 Vanderbilt (3-0, 1-0 SEC): Led by Sedrick Alexander (193 yards, three touchdowns), the Commodores are averaging 203 rushing yards per game, Opponents are only gaining 82.67 yards on the ground. Saturday: Georgia State (1-

L agway’s five interceptions and penalties take points away from a Gator team that showed up but couldn’t bring it home.   By Loren Meadows, GatorBaitMedia.com , Football Analyst, Host of The Lowdown with Loren Meadows Florida coach Billy Napier (UAA photo) To be honest, I always had Florida losing this game as part of what I thought would be a 9-3 campaign that would see Billy Napier eclipse his win total from 2024 and sneak Florida into the college football playoff. While Florida would fall at LSU this would be a classic duel between two of the SEC’s best quarterbacks with DJ Lagway rebounding to play his best game of the season. Unfortunately for Florida this was not the case on Saturday where Lagway would play his worst game of his career tossing five throws to the other team two of which would be the deciding factor in a winnable game. The Gators would also have two major penalties that negated a touchdown and a huge gain that could have put Florida in position for the win. What We Thought: The Gators were in a position in all three phases of the game to go to Baton Rouge and get the conference season started with a bang. DJ Lagway has the talent and mental toughness to take the LSU crowd out of the game and Florida would find plays in the running game to keep Florida close. Florida would also put pressure on an LSU offensive line that had surrendered eight sacks to the Florida defense and create a turnover that could be the deciding factor in a close if not classic game. What We Got: There was never a situation that I thought DJ Lagway would be the reason that the Gators would lose any game. Last night was that game. DJ Lagway has the talent to be a phenomenal quarterback but last night the system and the play of its quarterback met in a train wreck of questionable play-calling and performance. Lagway threw five unforgiveable interceptions with two leading to the deciding points of the game. There were other missed throws as well as questionable play calls. Florida would attempt 49 passes opposed to 27 rushes with Jaden Baugh and Ja’Kobi Jackson combining for 17 collectively. Of the 49 passes the most glaring came at a time that Florida would get the ball tied 10-10 and set to receive the ball after the half. Instead of running the clock out and heading into half with well-earned tie, the Gators would attempt to get into field position with a two-minute drive that had no business beginning in the first place.  Lagway would throw the first of his five interceptions on a play that was poorly called and ill-designed. On this play the Gators would run a sit-down by the tight end accompanied by an over route by the receiver to that side. While there was no vertical threat to occupy the safety to that side if Lagway gets the ball out in time the ball may have been completed instead of an interception by LSU safety AJ Halcey that would lead to an LSU field goal and the lead at half. The accounts of that play are so inexcusable because the play occurred on a third and long where the Gators could have run the ball, punted, and gone into the half with a tie. The design of the play and its lack of options for the quarterback driving that design was not good as well. That interception broke the serve of the Gators, and it would be the result of that play and the field goal that followed that the Gators would be chasing the rest of the game. The Skinny: This was not good and to be honest I think we are seeing the beginning of the end of the Billy Napier error at Florida. There has been a lot that I think Napier could have done better. More transparency, more fan engagement, more community, and campus outreach. Regardless of all that you are judged on what you do for twelve Saturdays in the Fall and at 20-21 that’s not going to cut it at Florida. Schematically there is a lot wrong with the Florida offense, but the biggest issue and ultimately, its Achilles heel is that it is run by the man also running the program. I get it, it is his system so who better than him to call the plays? That is the issue. Why your system, and why your plays? Is it worth staking the development of what could be a generational talent and your job security on your plays? There is so much that a head coach has to deal with during a game and it seems Napier could give up the offense and put his focus elsewhere. DJ Lagway is as much to blame for his performance last night as his coach, but did the Gators do all they could to help this young man and is his coach stunting his growth with his own ego? The Gator defense has given up just two touchdowns in two games against ranked football teams. Ron Roberts has steadied this group and outside of two long plays that were more mental than physical the Gators have played well enough on defense to be undefeated. Unfortunately averaging 13 points per game against quality competition is not good enough and there is nowhere to go to change it except within the walls of the Heavener Center. Outside of handing “Offensive Coordinator”/Tight Ends Coach Russ Calloway the play-calling duties there is really no one on the staff to take the reins of an offense that has design flaws no matter what. A year from now what will the Gators be? Who will be behind center? Does Napier survive? Stay tuned, Miami awaits.    Final Score: LSU 20 Florida 10 (Prediction LSU 30 Florida 17)