Sports Columnist

Mike Bianchi

Orlando Sentinel columnist Mike Bianchi is one of the foremost sports voices in the Southeast. He covers many teams, including the Orlando Magic, Florida Gators, UCF Knights and Florida State Seminoles. Mike's favorite quote: "The job of a sports columnist is to observe the battle from the mountain top and then ride down and bayonet the wounded." He also hosts the "Open Mike" show weekday mornings from 6-9 a.m. on 96.9 FM The Game.

Mike Norvell would be crazy to leave Florida State for Texas A&M, but, then again, I thought Jimbo was crazy to leave Florida State for Texas A&M.

Mike Bianchi: Unlike Jimbo Fisher, Mike Norvell would never leave FSU for Texas A&M – would he?

November 13, 2023 at 8:11 p.m.

Mike Norvell would be crazy to leave Florida State for Texas A&M, but, then again, I thought Jimbo was crazy to leave Florida State for Texas A&M.

So much for the consensus opinion two weeks ago when most of us thought UCF’s season was going down the drain.

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Mike Bianchi: UCF blasts off into space with out-of-this-world victory over No. 15 Oklahoma State!

November 13, 2023 at 10:33 a.m.

So much for the consensus opinion two weeks ago when most of us thought UCF’s season was going down the drain.

Once the laugh track cranks up, it cruelly and constantly perpetuates itself in viral videos and Internet memes. If you’re scoring at home, Florida’s special teams have now lined up without the right number of players seven times over the course of five games.

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Mike Bianchi: Mathematically challenged Gators are becoming a punchline

November 10, 2023 at 9:14 a.m.

Once the laugh track cranks up, it cruelly and constantly perpetuates itself in viral videos and Internet memes. If you’re scoring at home, Florida’s special teams have now lined up...

The Wolverines, in their race to get to the top of the college football rankings, have instead sunk to the bottom of the cesspool known as college athletics.

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Mike Bianchi: Michigan has allowed football and Jim Harbaugh to become its God

November 8, 2023 at 7:04 p.m.

The Wolverines, in their race to get to the top of the college football rankings, have instead sunk to the bottom of the cesspool known as college athletics.

How can the Gators lose to Arkansas? Because Arkansas has just as much – if not more – talent than Florida.

Mike Bianchi: Gators lose to Arkansas because, sadly, Arkansas has more talent

November 5, 2023 at 8:17 a.m.

How can the Gators lose to Arkansas? Because Arkansas has just as much – if not more – talent than Florida.

It’s about time Orange County commissioners started thinking of Camping World Stadium as a convention center for sports and entertainment in our community.

Mike Bianchi: Florida-Georgia Game in Orlando? Yet another reason to renovate Camping World Stadium

November 2, 2023 at 4:41 p.m.

It’s about time Orange County commissioners started thinking of Camping World Stadium as a convention center for sports and entertainment in our community.

It sure seems strange that the Lions began their bid to win the MLS Cup on Monday night with a playoff opener against Nashville FC, and Oscar Pareja was actually coaching under an expiring contract.

Mike Bianchi: Orlando City’s playoff push begins with coach Oscar Pareja in the final weeks of his contract

October 31, 2023 at 7:41 a.m.

It sure seems strange that the Lions began their bid to win the MLS Cup on Monday night with a playoff opener against Nashville FC, and Oscar Pareja was actually...

Let’s be honest, Orlando, we’ve never won a championship — a real, legitimate, bona fide championship — in any sport of any significance. Oh sure, the old Orlando Predators won some Arena Football League championships. The Orlando Solar Bears and Orlando Seals won some minor league hockey titles.

Mike Bianchi: Please, Orlando City, bring us our first real championship

October 29, 2023 at 12:00 p.m.

Let’s be honest, Orlando, we’ve never won a championship — a real, legitimate, bona fide championship — in any sport of any significance. Oh sure, the old Orlando Predators won...