Seven teams in the Top 25 go into week four the NCAA college football season undefeated, but if nothing else, this season is proving that anything can happen.
Last week saw a notable shakeup in the NCAA rankings as the Oregon Ducks moved up to #3, Penn State jumped to sixth place and the Clemson Tigers dropped to ninth.
Curious how things will stand after this week? With the start of fall, some fans may skip watching this week’s games on the couch in favor of enjoying the nice weather. If you’re one of those and don’t feel like braving the local sports bar this weekend, we’ve got a look at who’s playing this week—and several different options for viewing the match-ups.
Which college football teams are playing this week? And what channels are airing the games?
All eyes will remain on the Crimson Tide, which has dominated the 2021 season, but UGA’s worth a watch as well, as the #2 team faces Vanderbilt.
Here’s a look who’s playing this week. (The home team is listed second.)
Saturday, Sept. 25
VIllanova vs. Penn State (6), 12:00 p.m. ET on Big Ten Network
Notre Dame (12) vs. Wisconsin (18), 12:00 p.m. ET on Fox
University of Georgia (2) vs. Vanderbilt, 12:00 p.m. ET on SEC Network
UMass vs. Coastal (17), 1:00 p.m. ET on ESPN+
Iowa State (14) vs. Baylor, 3:30 p.m. ET on Fox
Texas A&M (7) vs. Arkansas (16), 3:30 p.m. ET on CBS
Colorado State vs. Iowa (5), 3:30 p.m. ET on Fox Sports 1
Rutgers vs. Michigan (19), 3:30 p.m. ET on ABC
Clemson (9) vs. NC State, 3:30 p.m. ET on ESPN
Georgia State vs. Auburn (23), 4:00 p.m. ET on SEC Network
UCLA (24) vs. Stanford, 6:00 p.m. ET on PAC-12 Network
Nebraska vs. Michigan State (20), 7:00 p.m. ET on Fox Sports 1
Kansas State (25) vs. Oklahoma State, 7:00 p.m. ET on ESPN+
Tennessee vs. University of Florida (11), 7:00 p.m. ET on ESPN
UNC (21) vs. Georgia Tech, 7:30 p.m. ET on ACC Network
Southern Miss vs. Alabama (1), 7:30 p.m. ET on SEC Network
West Virginia vs. Oklahoma (4), 7:30 p.m. ET on ABC
Akron vs. Ohio State (10), 7:30 p.m. ET on Big Ten Network
South Florida vs. BYU (15), 10:15 p.m. ET on ESPN 2
Arizona vs. Oregon (3), 10:30 p.m. ET on ESPN
How can I watch my favorite NCAA team for free—even if I am out of market?
The best way to watch any sort of network programming for free on a big screen is with a good HD antenna. NCAA games air on a wide number of broadcast networks, meaning you’ve got a chance at being able to watch your favorite team even if you don’t have a cable subscription. To ensure you’re getting the most reliable signal, be sure to test the antenna in multiple locations in your home.
How can I stream NCAA college football games live online if I don’t have a cable subscription?
If you’re not near a TV, you have several options:
Paramount+
CBS’s streaming service will give you access to games aired on that network. You can get a one-month free trial, followed by a $6 monthly charge.
ESPN+
The standalone streaming service for the sports network runs $6.99 per month or $70 per year, letting you stream exclusive live games from conferences, including Big 12, Conference USA, The American, and Sun Belt. There is no free trial for the standalone version, however you can try out the full Disney+ bundle for free (see below).
Fubo TV
This sports-focused cord cutting service carries broadcast networks in most markets. There’s a seven-day free trial, followed by monthly charges of $65-$80, depending on the channels you choose.
Hulu with Live TV
You can try the service free for a week. Once that’s up, you’ll pay $65 per month.
YouTubeTV
After a two-week trial, you can expect monthly charges of $65.
Sling TV
Dish Network’s Sling lower tiered “Orange” plan will run you $35 per month. Adding the more comprehensive “Blue” plan bumps the cost to $50-per-month. You’ll have a 7-day free trial first – and right now, the cord cutting service is dropping the first month’s bill to $10.
AT&T TV
Formerly known as DirecTV Now and AT&T TVNow, AT&T’s streaming service will run you $70 per month and up. There is no longer a free trial option.
Disney+
Disney’s bundle of Disney+, Hulu and ESPN+ can be enjoyed for free for seven days, after which you’ll pay $13.99 per month for all three combined
Can I watch NCAA college football games on Amazon?
Not directly though Amazon, as it doesn’t have any distribution deals with the NCAA like it does with the NFL. However, you can sign up for Paramount+ through the service, which gives you access to a wealth of sports content, though at an additional cost.
If you don’t have Prime, you can sign up for a 30-day free trial. Paramount+ also has a free trial.
Does the NCAA offer any viewing packages to watch the games I want?
Unlike the NFL, the NCAA doesn’t have an app, website or broadcast service that broadcasts its games.