The topic was obvious. In two days, it's Spurrier in The Swamp in a critical game for the Gators. The three hosts, Sarah Gilrie, Dave Behr, and Ryan Hanson broke down the game and the BCS picture in anticipation of Saturday's contest and the Louisville-Rutgers game tonight, which is of great importance to Gators fans.

Gilrie anchored the show, and Behr and Hanson followed her lead and fed off of each other's comments.

These students are taking advantage of a great opportunity provided to them at UF.

"I think it's a really great school for Communications because we have two radio stations," Gilrie said. "We have a TV station. It's all right here in Weimer (Hall). So you can start volunteering when you start going to school here, and we just get a lot of experience."

Being in the student media is unique because it gives you access that other reporters don't have. These three live amongst the most passionate fans - the students - and they are much closer to the athletes than the paid professionals are.

"I get to see them on a daily basis," Behr said. "It's always in the student papers. I'm always in the middle of what's going on."

Sometimes, though, getting too close to players can be dangerous. It's tough to criticize someone you might be friendly with.

"It gets awkward, but, I mean, the players are usually good about it," Behr, who wants to eventually become a play by play broadcaster, said.

"We know some of the players, so it is kind of tough," Gilrie, an aspiring Monday Night Football sideline reporter, said. "But at the same time, they know that if they mess up, that's what the media is going to talk about."

These students have the benefit of being taught about radio performance, including writing and speaking tips. They then learn about television performance as well.

Hanson is particularly interested in television, hoping to be a news and sports producer in the future. On the air, he is an outspoken, well-prepared, argumentative (in a good way) guy. He and Behr discussed the merits of the BCS. Then, Hanson pointed out that UF's upcoming game with Western Carolina will hurt them, no matter how badly the Gators beat up on the inferior opponent. He asked his two co-hosts if UF had to blow West Carolina out.

"Of course," Gilrie said, before going to commercial.

The three of them may still be in college, but I'd listen to their opinions about UF sports just as soon as I'd listen to any other reporter. Their knowledge was evident and on display during "Cheap Seats."

If all student media members are as ambitious and knowledgeable as the three we met tonight, then the future of sports journalism is in good hands.