College football kicks off the 2018 season this weekend on Saturday, August 25th. The first televised airs on Eleven Sports Network as Duquesne takes on UMass with a 5:30 pm ET start. If you want to watch that game and more without needing cable TV, then this is the guide for you.
The vast majority of NCAA College Football airs on ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, ESPNU, FS1, FS2, FOX, NBC, ABC, CBS Sports Network, BTN, Pac-12 Network, ACC Network, and SEC Network. Those networks are offered on various online streaming services.
In this article, provide a way to watch all of those major NCAA networks and some lesser known networks airing NCAA football.
Best Way to Watch NCAA Football Online
I find the best and most affordable way to watch college football in 2018 is Hulu Live TV. Not only does Hulu Live TV provide access to ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNEWS, ESPN-U, FS1, FS2, SEC Network, BTN, and CBS Sports, but also offer local broadcast channels in most TV markets.
Games of the top 25 teams can be watched every weekend on ABC, FOX, CBS, and NBC. Furthermore every Notre Dame home game airs on NBC. While you watch these games with a TV antenna for free, Hulu adds those channels airing college football typically found on cable TV.
Hulu Live TV also works with the WatchESPN app which provides access to the Longhorn Network if you live within their market. You’ll also be able to us the BTN2Go app. This will provide access to hundreds of games airing on BTN online.
Check out our review of Hulu Live TV to see if they are right for you or check out their 1-week free trial. The only college network missing from their lineup is the Pac-12. If you are desperate for Pac-12 take a look at Sling TV described below.
Other Ways to Watch College Football without Cable
If you don’t need all those networks or don’t like Sling TV here are other services that offer channels airing NCAA football.
Sling TV – Sling TV is the service to grab if you must have Pac-12. However, you will be missing BTN and CBS Sports Network. To get the most college football on Sling TV, pick up both the Orange and the Blue package with the “Sports Extra” add-on for $45 per month. This will provide access to ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, ESPNU, FS1, FS2, Pac-12 Network, ACC Network, and SEC Network. You can sign up for a free trial to try it out.
This will also provide NBC and Fox in certain markets. In certain markets, an additional $5 for the Broadcast-plus package will provide access to ABC. Be sure to look at our full review of Sling TV.
FuboTV – If you are looking to catch that first televised game of the season when Duquesne takes on UMass, then you’ll need Eleven Sports Network which FuboTV Provides. FuboTV also Provides access to CBS Sports Network, FS1, FS2, PAC-12, and Big Ten Network (BTN). They Also provide access to local FOX, NBC, and CBS in certain markets. The service costs $39.99 your first month and $44.99 every month after. FuboTV also offers a 1-week free trial. We also have a full review of FuboTV for more details on their service.
YouTube TV – YouTube TV offers local broadcast channels in many areas of the country and access to BTN, CBS Sports Network, SEC Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, FS1, and FS2. This will provide you with plenty of NCAA action for just $40 per month. Check out our review of YouTube TV for more details.
DIRECTV NOW – Their “Live a Little” package provides live streaming of ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, and FS1 for $40 per month. If you want to add BTN and SEC Network you will need to upgrade to their “Just Right” package for $55 per month. To add FS2 requires their “Go Big” package at $65 per month. They also offer a 1-week free trial. To watch ESPN3 you can use the WatchESPN app using DirecTV Now login credentials.
PlayStation Vue – With their $45 per month package you can watch ESPN, ESPN2, FS1, and FS2. You can watch ESPN3 using the WatchESPN app with PlayStation Vue login credentials.
College Sports Live – If your team doesn’t air games on any of the services above give College Sports Live a try. It starts at $9.99 per month and they have deals with schools including Air Force, Baylor, Georgetown, Georgia, Minnesota, Navy, Oakland, Ohio State, Penn State, Pittsburgh, Purdue, Rice, San Diego State, UConn, Villanova, Virginia, and more.
Other College Football Online
I’m currently researching other ways to watch college football around the country. If you have a verified way to catch NCAA football not mentioned in the article, let me know in the comments and I’ll get it added below.
Longhorn Network – If you live in Big 12 territory then you can watch LHN through the WatchESPN app. You will need credentials from a Hulu Live TV, Sling TV Orange, or DIRECTV NOW (“Just Right” package)
Check Out This Gigabit Internet Access and Amazon Prime Deal
If you enjoyed this article, please Subscribe to our weekly newsletter. It goes out every Thursday and keeps you up to date on information relevant to cord cutters. Subscribing will also inform you on the latest deals out there for internet, streaming, and more.
If this article didn't answer your specific question, check out the Cord Cutting Guide. It provides links to the most important articles in our over 200 pages of content to help you ditch pay TV.
For tips and tricks on cutting the cord and other tech topics be sure to join our Facebook Page and follow us on Twitter @Grounded Reason
.