Fired Up

Fired Up Fridays: NFL HOF Game Next Thursday & 27 Days Until CFB

GatorTimSports July 31, 2026

College football is almost here!

We may still be stuck in the dog days of summer, but we’re also just 27 days away from the most glorious time of the year—the kickoff of the 2026 college football season.

With conference media days now in the rearview mirror, the attention shifts to fall camps as teams begin their final preparations for the opening week of the season.

The wait is almost over. The first games kick off on Thursday, August 27, featuring several FCS matchups. Most FBS teams won’t take the field until Saturday, August 29, but that doesn’t matter to me—I’ll be watching as much college football as I can from the opening kickoff.

Check out the full opening-week schedule below!

Hall of Fame Game Next Thursday

While we’re all counting down the days until college football returns, the NFL gets things started next Thursday with the annual Pro Football Hall of Fame Game, celebrating the Hall of Fame Class of 2026.

This year’s matchup features the Carolina Panthers taking on the Arizona Cardinals. It will be just the second Hall of Fame Game appearance for the Panthers. Their first came during the franchise’s inaugural season, when they defeated the Jacksonville Jaguars, 20–14.

The Class of 2026 includes Panthers legend Luke Kuechly, who will be enshrined alongside Drew Brees, Larry Fitzgerald, Adam Vinatieri, and Roger Craig.

Be sure to check your local listings, but the game is expected to air on NBC with kickoff scheduled for 8:00 p.m. ET.  

It’s almost football season and it’s Friday!! Time to get fired up!!!

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