By Jim Kimble / Updated November 17, 2022
The 2022 NCAA college football season kicks off in late August. College football games are broadcast or streamed live in a number of different ways.
- You can watch games on local channels such as ABC, CBS, FOX and NBC.
- There are college sports networks such as ACC Network, Big Ten Network, PAC-12 Network and SEC Network.
- And there are other streaming options such as ESPN Plus and Paramount Plus.
This article explains where and how you can watch college football this season.
Table of Contents
- How to watch college football for free
- What channels are college football games on?
- Can you watch college football on DIRECTV STREAM?
- What fuboTV package do I need for college football?
- Can you stream college football on Hulu?
- Can you watch college football on Sling TV?
- Does YouTube TV have college football?
- How can I stream college football on CBS?
- Does ESPN Plus stream live college football?
- Which streaming service is best for NCAA college football?
- Streaming College Football FAQ
- Can I watch Alabama football on Paramount Plus?
- Where can I watch Notre Dame Football?
- Can I stream ABC college football games?
- Where can I stream college football for free?
- Can you watch live college football on the ESPN app?
- Are college football games on ESPN3?
- What is the College Football TV Schedule Today?
How to watch college football for free
A lot of people search for ways to stream college football for free. But savvy cord-cutters know that you don’t need a streaming service to watch games on ABC, CBS, FOX and NBC without a TV provider.
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 Big Ten, Big 12 and Pac-12 football games on ABC and FOX. SEC games are on CBS. Notre Dame games are once again on NBC. ABC also has some ACC and American division games.
You get lots of free sports and TV shows year round without paying for a TV provider or internet service.
If you are new to TV antennas, here is a list of resources that I have written to get you started.
- How to Choose the Best TV Antenna
- How to Connect Multiple TVs to One Antenna
- Review: The Best Indoor TV Antennas
- Review: The Best Outdoor TV Antennas
What channels are college football games on?
Whether you are a big fan of Alabama football or Boston College, you are going to need some cable channels.
ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPN3, Big Ten Network, FS1 and CBS Sports Network are all needed for the 2022 season. ACC Network, Big Ten Network, PAC-12 Network and SEC Network are also important for watching some of the biggest matchups.
Can you watch college football on DIRECTV STREAM?
Yes. A DIRECTV STREAM subscription includes a number of key channels for college football.
The Choice plan includes all your local broadcast channels such as ABC, CBS, NBC and FOX. You also get ACC Network, Big Ten Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNews, ESPNU, FS1 and SEC Network.
Subscribers get more than 105 channels, unlimited Cloud DVR to record games and 40,000 on-demand movies and shows. Subscribers can watch live TV channels on up to 20 screens at once.
Subscribers can get three months of HBO Max, Cinemax, Showtime, STARZ, and EPIX for free before the monthly rates kick in.
You can sign up for a free 5-day trial without any obligations.
The Choice plan usually costs $89.99 per month. 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.
What fuboTV package do I need for college football?
fuboTV’s Pro bundle has more than 135 channels, including ACC Network, ESPN, ESPN2, CBS Sports Network, Big Ten Network, FS1 and PAC-12 Network.
Local ABC, CBS, NBC and FOX are available on fubo in most of the U.S. You can look over the fuboTV channel lineup to see which local channels are available 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.
Can you stream college football on Hulu?
Yes. Hulu Live TV carries the full suite of ESPN Networks and other channels that cover NCAA college football and basketball.
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 now also included with a Hulu Live TV subscription. So if you are interested in specific matchups in the Big 12 or Big South, getting Hulu Live TV might make the most sense this season.
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.
Can you watch college football on Sling TV?
Yes. Sling TV is another option to live stream college football channels.
It’s a decent budget pick for fans who only need a small number of channels during college football season.
The Sling Orange plan has 34 channels, including ESPN, ESPN2 and Stadium for $40 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 FS1 and Stadium and local NBC and FOX stations for $40 per month. The Blue plan lets you watch live TV on three screens at once.
But be aware that Sling TV only carries local FOX stations in 18 markets across the U.S. NBC is available in only 11 markets.
If you want FS1 and ESPN to watch your alma mater, then you will need to get the Sling Blue and Orange bundle for $55 per month.
Looking for local channels? Sling TV does offer FOX and NBC in a small number of markets across the U.S. But you are generally better off using a TV antenna.
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.
Does YouTube TV have college football?
Yes. YouTube TV carries a number of the same channels for college football as Hulu, but 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.
YouTube TV also has a Sports Plus plan for $10.99 per month that includes Stadium and 13 other channels.
Subscribers to YouTube TV get unlimited Cloud DVR. 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.
How can I stream college football on CBS?
The most affordable way to stream college football on CBS this season is through Paramount Plus.
Subscribers to the Premium plan on Paramount Plus can watch SEC on CBS. The 22 games scheduled for 2022 are the same ones broadcast on CBS.
The Premium plan costs $9.99 per month. You can watch live TV on up to three screens.
You can check the latest free trial Paramount Plus is offering to football fans. Subscriptions run month to month. So you can cancel online whenever you want.
Live sports under the Premium plan includes NFL games that air on CBS. And you get a live stream of your local CBS station.
Other live sports include the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship, the PGA TOUR, The PGA Championship and The Masters.
Does ESPN Plus stream live college football?
Yes. ESPN Plus costs $9.99 per month. And while it doesn’t carry the ESPN suite of cable TV channels, it does have games covering college football divisions you won’t find elsewhere.
ESPN Plus has college football coverage for:
- The Big 12
- the Big South
- Conference USA
- Ivy League
- Mid American
- Mid Eastern
- Missouri Valley
- Northeast
- Ohio Valley
- Southern
- Southland
- Southwestern
- Sun Belt
ESPN Plus essentially upgrades the ESPN app with more live sports and exclusive shows. You can pause, rewind and replay hundreds of live college football games throughout the season.
Daily MLB and NHL games, UFC Fight Nights and PGA Tour tournaments are included in your subscription. 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 are covered on ESPN Plus before deciding whether to sign up.
Which streaming service is best for NCAA college football?
There are a number of dependable options for college football fans.
Your favorite team might be Clemson. It might be Ole Miss. So it all boils down to the teams that are most important to you and what TV channels they are on.
Here’s what you should consider:
Big Ten and SEC Conference
fuboTV, Hulu Live TV and YouTube TV all carry local broadcast channels such as ABC, CBS, NBC and FOX.
You also get ACC Network, Big Ten Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, ESPNU, FS1 and SEC Network. All three services can activate the ESPN app.
- 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.
- 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.
- YouTube TV has more than 85 live TV channels total and unlimited Cloud DVR. A subscription is $64.99 per month. YouTube TV offers a free 7-day trial.
- DIRECTV STREAM has more than 105 live TV channels. But CBS Sports Network is in the more expensive Ultimate plan. DIRECTV STREAM offers a free 5-day trial and adds extra free trials for premiums such as HBO Max.
PAC 12 Conference
Sling TV and fuboTV have all the college football channels mentioned above. But they are the only two streaming providers that carry the Pac-12 Network and regional Pac-12 Networks.
- Sling TV with Sports Extra bundle gets you all the Pac-12 channels. A subscription costs $51 per month. Only Sling Orange has ESPN and ESPN2. You can get half off the monthly rate for your first month of service.
- fuboTV with the Extra bundle has the in-market Pac-12 Network. A subscription for fuboTV with the Extra bundle is $77.98 per month after a free 7-day trial.
- fuboTV with the Sports Plus bundle includes all six regional Pac-12 networks. A subscription for fuboTV with the Extra bundle is $80.98 per month after a free 7-day trial.
Streaming College Football FAQ
Below are more questions that readers often ask when it comes to streaming college football live without cable TV.
Can I watch Alabama football on Paramount Plus?
Yes. Alabama will be part of a primetime SEC doubleheader on Oct. 8 that is streaming on Paramount Plus.
You need to sign up for a free trial of the Premium plan to watch games that are part of “SEC on CBS”. The Premium plan costs $9.99 per month. 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.
Where can I watch Notre Dame Football?
NBC and the streaming service, Peacock, will be the way to watch Notre Dame Football this season.
So for cord-cutters, that means you can watch Notre Dame games for free on NBC using a TV antenna.
If you can’t use an antenna for NBC, then you can sign up for a free 7-day trial of Peacock’s Premium plan. The Premium plan costs $4.99 per month and streams all Notre Dame games live that are on NBC.
Peacock will exclusively stream one regular season Notre Dame game when it hosts UNLV at 2:30 p.m. ET on Sat., Oct. 22.
You can also stream NBC on a number of live TV streaming services, including DIRECTV STREAM, fuboTV, Hulu Live TV, Sling TV and YouTube TV.
NBC Sports 2022 Notre Dame Football Schedule
| DATE | TIME (ET) | OPPONENT | PLATFORM |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sat., Sept. 10 | 2:30 p.m. | Marshall | NBC, Peacock |
| Sat., Sept. 17 | 2:30 p.m. | California | NBC, Peacock |
| Sat., Oct. 8 | 7:30 p.m. | BYU | NBC, Peacock |
| Sat., Oct. 15 | 7:30 p.m. | Stanford | NBC, Peacock |
| Sat., Oct. 22 | 2:30 p.m. | UNLV | Peacock |
| Sat., Nov. 5 | 7 p.m. | Clemson | NBC, Peacock |
| Sat., Nov. 19 | 2:30 p.m. | Boston College | NBC, Peacock |
Can I stream ABC college football games?
Yes. You can stream live college football games on ABC through a number of services that carry local channels.
DIRECTV STREAM, fuboTV, Hulu Live TV and YouTube TV all carry local ABC channels across the U.S. If you were looking for a free option, then you should consider looking over my guide on how to choose the best TV antenna mentioned above.
Where can I stream college football for free?
There isn’t a season-long solution to stream major college football divisions for free. Consider using a TV antenna instead because you may be able to get games airing on ABC, CBS, NBC and FOX for free.
Can you watch live college football on the ESPN app?
You can watch live college football by activating the ESPN app.
You can use a subscription from DIRECTV STREAM, fuboTV, Hulu Live, Sling TV (Orange plan), Vidgo and YouTube TV to activate the ESPN app.
College football games from ESPN’s family of networks, including SEC Network+, ACC Network Extra and Longhorn Network.
Subscribers to ESPN+ can also use the ESPN app to watch more than 300 live college football games throughout the season. Conferences on ESPN Plus include select Southeastern Conference games this season. LSU, Auburn, Kentucky, Missouri, Ole Miss and Tennessee are among the teams with select games.
ESPN+ costs $9.99 per month. Subscriptions run month to month so you can cancel at any time.
Are college football games on ESPN3?
Yes. ESPN3 will stream a number of college football games live throughout the 2022 season.
You can watch ESPN3 without cable once you activate the ESPN app with a live TV streaming service. DIRECTV STREAM, fuboTV, Hulu Live, Sling TV (Orange plan), Vidgo, and YouTube TV to activate the ESPN app.
What is the College Football TV Schedule Today?
One of your best resources for tracking down particular games by conference is through the ESPN college football schedule.
On the right hand corner of the schedule, you can narrow down the calendar by conference. You can see what broadcast or cable TV networks you need for upcoming games.
The NCAA college football schedule is another good resource for keeping track of games, and which channel you’ll need to watch.
This article was published on August 21, 2022, and has been updated.
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.
Founder and Editor of The Cord Cutting Report. Before launching the site in 2016, he worked for more than two decades as a staff writer or correspondent for a number of daily newspapers, including The Boston Globe. His enthusiasm for tech began with the Atari 2600. Follow @james_kimble
