The Cord Cutting Report

How to Watch Alabama Crimson Tide Football (in 2022)

By Jim Kimble / Published Sept. 2, 2022

The Alabama Crimson Tide football program is one of the top divisions of Southeastern Conference.

Every year, dedicated fans and University of Alabama alums look for the best way to watch every game and follow head coach Nick Saban and his players .

Here is everything you need to know for the 2022 Crimson Tide football season. 

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Alabama Crimson Tide 2022 Outlook

Tuscaloosa is out for nothing short of taking it all in 2022 after losing to Georgia last season in the National Championship game.

But whether Saban and the Crimson Tide football program can deliver Tuscaloosa a championship in 2022 is an open question. The Tide is returning to the field with some well-established players. 

Bryce Young took home the Heisman Trophy, after a season with 47 touchdowns. Will Anderson Jr. finished in the top five of Heisman voting last year. 

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Sling TV has SEC Network in the Sports Extra bundle. (photo credit: Jim Kimble / The Cord Cutting Report)

What channel has Alabama Crimson Tide games?

The season for the Crimson Tide begins on Saturday, September 3. The game against Utah State airs on SEC Network at 7:30 p.m.

Your key channels for the 2022 season are FOX, ABC, CBS, ESPN, ESPN2, Fox Sports 1 (FS1) and SEC Network.

There are a half dozen live TV streaming services where you can watch college football without cable TV or a satellite provider. These services also let you activate the ESPN app. That can come in handy for any games streaming on SEC Network Plus.

Based on the 2022 schedule so far (see below), we know at least one Crimson Tide game is on ESPN Plus. But you can also watch that Nov. 19 game against the Austin Peay Governors on SEC Network Plus through the ESPN app.  

How to Watch SEC Football Conference without cable

DIRECTV STREAM, fuboTV, Hulu Live TV and YouTube TV all carry local broadcast channels such as ABC, CBS, NBC and FOX. 

Vidgo carries local ABC and FOX stations. Sling TV has local FOX and NBC stations in select markets.

You also get ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, ESPNU, FS1 and SEC Network. All six services can activate the ESPN app. There are other college football division channels such as ACC Network and Big Ten Network.

  • DIRECTV STREAM (formerly AT&T TV) has more than 105 live TV channels. DIRECTV STREAM offers a free 5-day trial and adds extra free trials for premium channels such as Cinemax, HBO Max and Showtime. Your first two months of service is $69.99 per month before the regular rate kicks in.
  • fuboTV has 135 live TV channels total in the Pro plan and 1,000 hours of Cloud DVR. Select sports are in 4K HDR. fuboTV offers a free 7-day trial. A subscription is $69.99 per month. SEC Network is included in the base plan for 11 states within the SEC Conference.
  • Hulu Live TV has more than 75 live TV channels total, and unlimited Cloud DVR. ESPN+ and Disney+ are included. There is no free trial. A subscription costs $69.99 per month. 
  • Sling TV has ESPN and SEC Network when you subscribe to the Orange plan with the Sports Extra bundle. It costs $41 per month, and includes 50 hours of Cloud DVR. You can get half off for the first month of service.
  • Vidgo has over 110 live TV channels and 20 hours of Cloud DVR. There is no free trial. A subscription costs $59.95 per month.
  • YouTube TV has more than 85 live TV channels total and unlimited Cloud DVR. A subscription is $64.99 per month. You can look at the latest YouTube TV offer for new and returning customers.

Keep in mind that streaming live TV isn’t the only game in town. A TV antenna is a powerful piece of hardware that can get you lots of free Alabama football games. The trick is picking the right kind of TV antenna, and not any random one that claims to have exceptional performance. (See more below.) 

DIRECTV STREAM

A DIRECTV STREAM subscription includes a number of key channels for Crimson Tide football.

The Choice plan includes all your local broadcast channels such as ABC, CBS, NBC and FOX. You also get SEC Network, Big Ten Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNews, ESPNU, FS1 and ACC Network. 

Subscribers get over 105 channels and unlimited Cloud DVR to record games. Having unlimited Cloud DVR storage allows you to watch replays of every Crimson Tide game or watch a game later if you can’t see it live. 

Subscribers can watch live TV channels on up to 20 screens at once. There are 40,000 movies and shows available on-demand.

You can get three months of HBO Max, Cinemax, Showtime, STARZ, and EPIX for free before the monthly rates kick in.  Get a free 5-day trial without any obligations. 

The Choice plan usually costs $89.99 per month. But DIRECTV STREAM is currently knocking $40 off for the first two months of service. So you only pay $69.99 per month for the first two months of service. 

There are no contracts. You can subscribe month to month and cancel whenever you want. 

DIRECTV STREAM works on Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV and Smart TVs running on Android TV and Google TV. You can look over the different channel lineups before deciding whether to sign up. 

fuboTV

fuboTV has more than 135 channels, including ESPN, SEC Network, CBS Sports Network, Big Ten Network, FOX and FS1.

SEC Network is part of fuboTV entry-level channel bundle in 11 states, including Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas. 

You can add SEC Network within the fubo Extra plan ($7.99 per month) if you don’t live in any of the in-market states listed above.

Local ABC, CBS, NBC and FOX stations that carry Crimson Tide games are available on fubo. You can look over the live TV channel lineup to see which local channels are in your area.

Subscribers can watch live TV on up to 10 screens at once. You get 1,000 hours of Cloud DVR.

fuboTV works with all major streaming devices including Roku, Amazon Fire TV and Smart TVs powered by Android TV and Google TV.

fuboTV has a 7-day free trial. A subscription costs $69.99 per month. You aren’t under any obligation to keep the service and can cancel online.

Hulu Live TV

Hulu Live TV has every ESPN Network and local channel that covers Crimson Tide, and SEC college football.

SEC Network, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, CBS Sports Network, ESPN, ESPN2, and ESPNU are included in the channel lineup. 

Local NBC, CBS, FOX and ABC stations are available in most of the U.S. Subscribers get more than 75 live TV channels and unlimited Cloud DVR. You can watch live TV on two screens at once. A subscription costs $69.99 per month. 

ESPN Plus is included with a Hulu Live TV subscription. 

Subscribers also get Hulu’s full on-demand catalog and Disney+. You look over which college football channels are included in the lineup before making any decisions. 

Sling TV

Sling TV is a decent budget pick for Crimson Tide fans who only need ESPN and SEC Network.

You will need to add the Sports Extra bundle to the Sling Orange plan, which costs $41 per month total. Sling Orange has 34 channels, including ESPN, ESPN2 and Stadium for $35 per month. 

The Sports Extra bundle adds 15 channels, including ACC Network, ACCNX, SEC Network, SEC Network+ and ESPNU for $11 per month. Sling Orange subscribers can watch live TV on one screen at a time.

Sling Blue includes local NBC and FOX stations but the coverage is not very useful for Crimson Tide fans. Local channels aren’t offered in the Tuscaloosa area.

But if you can use a TV antenna for local Crimson Tide games on ABC, FOX and CBS, then Sling is a great way to save a few bucks during the season. 

You can check the latest offer Sling TV is making to new and returning customers. There are no contracts, or extra fees like cable TV.

You can start watching with a Roku, Fire TV, Smart TVs, Google Chromecast and smartphones. If you prepay for two months, you can get a free streaming device. Before signing up, you can also look over the channel lineup to see if Sling TV is a good fit for you.

Vidgo

Vidgo has ESPN, ESPN2, and SEC Network as part of its English Plus package. 

There are over 110 channels and 20 hours of Cloud DVR.The service does not have local CBS stations, but does carry FOX.

Subscribers can stream live TV on up to three devices at once. Vidgo has apps on Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV and Android TV devices such as Google Chromecast.

A Vidgo subscription costs $59.95 per month. Subscribers pay month to month. Currently, there is no free trial for new customers. You can look over the channel lineup before deciding whether to sign up.

YouTube TV

YouTube TV carries a number of the same channels for Crimson Tide football games as fuboTV and Hulu

A subscription costs slightly less at $64.99 per month. YouTube TV has more than 85 live TV channels, including all your local channels. 

ACC Network, Big Ten Network, CBS Sports Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, FS1 and SEC Network are among the key college football channels.

Subscribers to YouTube TV get unlimited Cloud DVR, so you can record all the games you want and replay them later. You can watch live TV on three screens at once. 

YouTube TV has apps on Roku, Amazon Fire TV Stick, Apple TV, Google Chromecast, and Smart TVs powered by Android TV and Google TV. You can check out the latest offer YouTube TV is making to new and returning customers.

Paramount Plus

Paramount Plus is another option for streaming any Crimson Tide game that airs on “SEC on CBS”.

These are the same games that are broadcast on CBS during college football season. Alabama will be part of a primetime SEC doubleheader on Oct. 8 that is streaming on Paramount Plus. 

Options for the doubleheader during Week 6 include the Alabama-Texas A&M battle in Tuscaloosa, Alabama; Auburn-Georgia and Tennessee-LSU.

Kickoffs for the doubleheader are 3:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. ET. The selections and a pair of to-be-determined matchups will be announced six to 12 days in advance of the game.

You need to sign up for a free trial of the Premium plan to watch “SEC on CBS” games. The Premium plan costs $9.99 per month. Premium plan subscribers get access to a variety of live sports such as NFL and NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship.

Does ESPN Plus stream Crimson Tide football?

Yes. So far, one Crimson Tide game is scheduled for Nov. 19 against the Austin Peay Governors.

This is the first year that ESPN Plus will carry Alabama football. ESPN Plus will have 350 FCS games from 11 conferences and 14 SEC schools. 

ESPN Plus costs $9.99 per month. You won’t find games airing on SEC Network on ESPN Plus. 

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ESPN Plus will have Alabama football and games from14 SEC schools. (photo credit: Jim Kimble / The Cord Cutting Report)

ESPN Plus essentially upgrades the ESPN app with NCAA football and other live sports. You can pause, rewind and replay hundreds of live college football games throughout the season. 

To watch on your TV, download the ESPN app on a Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Chromecast, PlayStation 4, Samsung Smart TVs or Xbox One. 

You can take a look at what live sports ESPN Plus offers before deciding whether to sign up.

How to watch Alabama Football for free

Experienced cord-cutters know that you don’t need a streaming service to watch Crimson Tide games on CBS, FOX and ABC for free. 

Figuring out how to choose the best TV antenna for your home takes a little bit of homework. But the payoff is huge, considering how many free games you can watch. 

You can start watching SEC games on CBS. Alabama football is also on FOX.

Big Ten, Big 12 and Pac-12 football games air on ABC and FOX. Notre Dame games are once again on NBC. 

You don’t even need internet service to use a TV antenna. If you are new to TV antennas or you are a veteran of over-the-air TV channels, here is a list of resources that I have written to get you started.

Alabama Crimson Tide 2022 Schedule

The current schedule for Alabama Crimson games is starting to take shape. Below is a list of dates and time slots for regular season games that run between now and November.

DATETIME (CT)OPPONENTLOCATIONCHANNEL
Sept. 3, 20226:30 p.m. CTUtah StateTuscaloosa, AlabamaSEC Network
Sept. 10, 202211 a.m. CTTexasAustin, TexasFOX
Sept. 17, 20223 p.m. CTULMTuscaloosa, AlabamaSEC Network
Sept. 24, 2022VanderbiltTuscaloosa, Alabama
Oct. 1, 2022ArkansasFayetteville, Ark.
Oct. 8, 2022Texas A&MTuscaloosa, Alabama
Oct. 15, 2022TennesseeKnoxville, Tenn.
Oct. 22, 2022Mississippi StateTuscaloosa, Alabama
Nov. 5, 2022LSUBaton Rouge, La.
Nov. 12, 2022Ole MissOxford, Miss.
Nov. 19, 202211 a.m. CTAustin PeayTuscaloosa, AlabamaESPN+/SEC Network+
Nov. 26, 2022AuburnTuscaloosa, Alabama

How to watch Alabama football in 2022

Live streaming Alabama Crimson Tide games is easy. It’s just a matter of choosing how you want to do it. Here are your best options. 

I opt for services with free trials first in case you decide the service isn’t for you, and want to switch.

fuboTV has the biggest channel lineup for the best price at $69.99 per month. You have all your local broadcast channels for Crimson Tide games, and college football in general. ESPN, SEC Network, CBS Sports Network, Big Ten Network, FOX are included. You can start a free 7-day trial without any obligations. 

As an alternative, DIRECTV STREAM has a 5-day free trial, and offers 105 channels in the Choice plan. ESPN, SEC Network and local broadcast channels such as CBS and FOX are included. 

You can get $20 off for the first two months of service and pay $69.99 per month. During the free trial, you can also add HBO Max, Cinemax, Showtime and Epix. The regular rate of $89.99 per month kicks in after the trial period is over. 

For more news on streaming, how-to guides and reviews, head over to the main page of The Cord Cutting Report or follow the CCR on Google News.