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Football

Latest Slidescroller coverage in Football.

Gators’ 2026 slate: pivotal showdowns and postseason hopes

This week’s Swampcast brings together veteran voices Kevin Brockway, Andrew Abadie and Noah Ram as they unpack the Gators’ 2026 slate across football, baseball and softball. In football, the conversation centers on a 7.3 average win total for opponents, a slight dip from last year, and the marquee Week 3 road test at Auburn that could set the tone for first‑year head coach Jon Sumrall’s tenure. Baseball has ridden a late‑season surge that not only secures a regional host but also places the team in the mix for a Super Regional and a top‑eight national seed, with the final push likely to be decided between Florida and Southern Miss. Softball enters the season as the No. 6 national seed, set to host Georgia Tech, Texas State and Florida A&M in the Gainesville Regional, and a potential Super Regional showdown with Texas Tech could pit the Gators against star pitcher NiJaree Canady. Under head coach Tim Walton, Florida softball has not lost a home regional in 14 years and has never fallen in a Super Regional outside of matchups with Georgia, underscoring a home‑field advantage that could prove decisive.

May 12, 2026

Georgia Tech Opens 2026 Season Against Colorado in Prime-Time ESPN Showdown

Georgia Tech’s 2026 home opener against Colorado on Sept. 3 will be televised on ESPN, marking the second straight year the teams meet to start the season. The game is part of a strong slate that includes matchups with Tennessee, Duke, Louisville and Wake Forest, while the university pushes a $500 million fundraising campaign to upgrade facilities.

May 12, 2026

Virginia and NC State to Open 2026 Season in Rio de Janeiro

The Atlantic Coast Conference announced the kickoff time for the Virginia‑NC State opener in Rio, the first FBS game in South America, set for Aug. 29 at 3:30 p.m. ET, with live coverage on ESPN and details on tickets and cultural events available through College Football Brasil.

May 12, 2026

First Varsity Flag Football Tournament Set for July in Mobile

The 68 Ventures Bowl will launch its inaugural Varsity Flag Football Tournament this July at the Mobile County Sportsplex, offering high school teams from Mobile and Baldwin counties a complimentary, ESPN‑televised competition that underscores the rapid growth of the sport in Alabama.

May 12, 2026

Northwestern State Announces 2026 Football Season Ticket Sale

Northwestern State University has begun selling season tickets for the 2026 football campaign, offering six home games at Turpin Stadium and a range of ticket options from VIP suites to general admission, each bundled with a parking pass.

May 12, 2026