SWAMP KINGS

In many ways, Saturday night in Gainesville was the biggest night of the Billy Napier era.

A McNeese-shaped cupcake aside, this was the true home opener for the Florida in 2023. So far, things have been rocky for the Gators, still nursing wounds from a humiliating loss to Utah. A resurgent Tennessee team, and the eerie prospect of (1-2) start, presented a challenging must-win situation for the Gators. Fortunately,

HEAVY IS THE GATOR’S HEAD

Last time the Gators were ranked in the AP Top 25, was just prior to last season’s game at Tennessee. Then 20th-ranked Gators lost and dropped from the national polls the rest of the season.

Florida’s 29-16 victory over the Vols on Saturday at “The Swamp” has ushered them back into the national rankings. Surviving the Vols, and entered the AP Top 25 on Sunday, ranked No. 25 heading into this week’s home game against Charlotte. Since replacing Dan Mullen, the Napier regime has struggled with maintaining momentum, and controlling the media speculation surround the rebuilding process in Gainesville.

Across the Sunshine State:

1. #3 Florida State (3-0, 1-0) 
2. #20 Miami (3-0, 0-0)  
3. #25 Florida (2-1, 1-0)
4. University of Central Florida (3-0, 0-0)
5. South Florida (1-2, 0-0)
6. Florida A&M (2-1, 1-0)
7. Florida International (3-1, 0-1)
8. Florida Atlantic (1-2, 0-0)

Coach Billy Napier is still the unlucky occupant of the hottest seat in the state, but Saturday’s upset win over former No. 11 Tennessee goes a long way in cooling things down in the Swamp.