Sports | Columns - The Independent Florida Alligator

UF coach Jim McElwain watches on during UF's Orange and Blue Debut on April 7, 2017, at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Column: Think you know who the Gators’ starting QB should be? Think again.

By Ethan Bauer | Aug. 20, 2017

Anyone who listens to Jim McElwain answer one question knows he is not a straightforward man. He rambles. He swerves. He changes topics like a figure skater changing direction. For example, here’s what he said when asked about how challenging the team’s quarterback competition must be given that two weeks from the team’s season opener, it’s still a three-man race:

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Fantasy football the key to becoming more personally invested in the NFL

By Jake Dreilinger | July 31, 2017

Every Sunday during football season while I was still at home, my Dad and I would sit down in the living room after our weekly run to Costco and watch that afternoon’s NFL games.

Antonio Callaway and Tyrie Cleveland sit on the sidelines during Florida's 24-10 win against Georgia on Oct. 29, 2016, at EverBank Field. Huntley Johnson has represented both players in past criminal cases.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Column: UF's defensive MVP doesn't even play football

By Morgan McMullen | July 27, 2017

Every meat-eating person knows one harsh truth: We don’t care how the sausage is made, and we prefer not to know. As long as the brats are delicious, who the hell cares?

O.J. Simpson smiles during his parole hearing in Nevada on Thursday. Simpson was granted parole and is set to be released from jail on Oct. 1.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Column: O.J. Simpson is as delusional as ever

By Dylan Dixon | July 24, 2017

He wasn’t trying to be funny. He wasn’t trying to make anyone snicker. He wasn’t trying to send the world of social media into a frenzy.

Johnny Townsend punts during Florida's 31-13 loss to Florida State on Nov. 26, 2016, at Doak Campbell Stadium.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Column: Punters are People Too

By Jake Dreilinger | July 20, 2017

I’m going to start this column off with a question designed to make you think.

Marcell Harris celebrates during Florida's 38-28 loss against Tennessee on Sept. 24, 2016, at Neyland Stadium.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Column: Gators are still DBU

By Andrew Huang | July 17, 2017

When high school defensive backs decide to attend the University of Florida, they’re actually committing to two different schools.

Conor McGregor (right) taunts Floyd Mayweather Jr. while posing for photos during a press conference on July 11, 2017, in Los Angeles.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Column: Don't buy the Mayweather-McGregor hype

By Morgan McMullen | July 13, 2017

My crush is into something called “lateral-thinking puzzles”. They’re fun little riddles presenting an odd scenario that you have to figure out.

Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge swings during the 2017 MLB Home Run Derby on Monday night in Miami. Judge hit 47 home runs over three rounds to win the competition.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Column: The MLB needs to add new All-Star events

By Dylan Dixon | July 10, 2017

Ladies and gentleman, the MLB All-Star break is upon us once again.

Gordon Hayward surveys the court during a Utah Jazz game in the 2016-17 NBA season. Hayward recently agreed to terms on a four-year deal with the Boston Celtics.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Column: Hayward's Fourth of July splash still not enough for Celtics

By Jake Dreilinger | July 5, 2017

July Fourth.

Quincy Wilson celebrates with fans after Florida's 20-7 win over South Carolina on November 12, 2016, at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Column: A message to the Class of 2021

By Jake Dreilinger | June 27, 2017

I was in your shoes nearly two years ago.

Former UCLA point guard Lonzo Ball (right) and his father, LaVar, shake hands after a game during the 2016-17 college basketball season.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Column: People need to focus on other NBA draft prospects besides Lonzo Ball

By Jake Dreilinger | June 12, 2017

When anyone talks about this year’s NBA Draft, the first name that always comes up is former UCLA point guard Lonzo Ball.

Nashville Predators right wing Craig Smith (left) shoots during the third period of game three in the Stanley Cup Finals on Saturday in Nashville, Tennessee.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Column: The NHL playoffs have outdone the NBA postseason

By Jake Dreilinger | June 8, 2017

If you’re anything like me, you’re sitting at home watching the NBA Finals and feeling a little bit disappointed. With the Golden State Warriors and Cleveland Cavaliers going a combined 24-1 in the first three rounds of the playoffs, this series between the two heavyweights was supposed to be an exciting one.

Lane Kiffin speaks at his introductory press conference at FAU's football coach on Dec. 13, 2016, in Boca Raton, Florida.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Column: Coaches need to stop offering middle schoolers scholarships

By Dylan Dixon | June 6, 2017

There are a lot of things about Lane Kiffin that give me pause.

UF quarterback Feleipe Franks during Florida’s Orange and Blue Debut on April 7, 2017, at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Column: Talks of Zaire transfer paints murky picture for UF

By Jake Dreilinger | June 1, 2017

It’s no secret the Gators haven’t had a consistent starting quarterback since 2009 with Tim Tebow.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell speaks to the media after an NFL owners meeting, Tuesday, May 23, 2017, in Chicago.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Column: Roger Goodell finally did something right for once

By Dylan Dixon | May 25, 2017

Roger Goodell has screwed up a lot of things during his tenure as commissioner of the National Football League.

Caeleb Dressel rests in the water during Florida's 183-117 win against Tennessee on Jan. 28, 2017, at the O'Connell Center.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Column: UF's smaller sports should be appreciated more

By Jake Dreilinger | May 23, 2017

Everyone remembers Chris Chiozza’s buzzer-beating floater from behind the three-point line to send the Gators to the Elite Eight over Wisconsin.

Warriors forward Kevin Durant (35) and guard Stephen Curry celebrate during Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals on May 14, 2017, at Oracle Arena.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Column: The NBA playoffs have become boring as hell

By Dylan Dixon | May 16, 2017

I’ve always hated the WWE.

Baltimore Orioles third baseman Manny Machado reacts after striking out during Wednesday's 4-2 loss to the Boston Red Sox.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Column: Red Sox-Orioles mutual hatred good for baseball

By Jake Dreilinger | May 9, 2017

When the Baltimore Orioles played the Boston Red Sox in a four-game series starting May 1, one of baseball’s budding rivalries was put on full display.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Goodbye Column: It’s time for us to rethink the way we view sports

By One Night Dan Daniel Smithson | Apr. 20, 2017

When I found out I was going to be covering track and field for the Alligator, two things happened immediately.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Goodbye Column: Basketball reporter says so long

By Here comes the Boone Ray Boone | Apr. 20, 2017

Here comes the Boone