A Swamp Revival
The Swamp in all it’s glory.
Written by Chris McLean / September 25, 2026
Big games used to be the norm in the 90s and 00s.
From Alabama and Auburn to Florida State and Tennessee, the Gators would host some of the best of college football in front of the most ravenous lunatics this side of a nut house.
The Swamp was halloeid ground and would see opponents’ dreams of success die in the Florida humidity.
Lately, there hasn't been much to cheer for when it comes to the Gators.
From the moment Urban Meyer retired from Florida (the first time), the program has been in flux. Some good points, but the Gators were mired in a slew of under .500 seasons, which included several losses at their once formidable stadium.
The luster wore off. In it's heyday, it was unthinkable that Florida would lose to teams like Kentucky or Vanderbilt. But now, that is the norm.
Enter Jon Sumrall.
The Gators are off to their first 3-0 start since 2019, and have been playing a brand of offense that is reminiscent of the days of yore.
If Florida will truly be back, it will start with Saturday's matchup against no. 4 Ole Miss. The old Swamp would eat an opponent like this up and spit out their bones. But most teams have come to Gainesville unfazed by this cathedral of noise.
The lack of volume is largely to do with the below average play on the field (and coaching off of it), but these fans have not given up on the program.
Fans have still showed up, leading to 20+ games being sold out in a row, They clamor for good football. They've seen it in the past and know what it looks like, and Sumrall brings them the hope that he can reincarnate those old ghosts and bring back the fervor that once destroyed teams' dream seasons.
The Gators may not win this game, but it won't be because of the Swamp. But if they win it, it may be because of it. A paradox, I know.
That power is not lost on opposing teams. And I fully expect it to rear it's head come 3:30 on Saturday.
After a long hibernation, the Swamp is being reborn. Opponents are officially on notice. Cause only Gators get out alive.
