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Wondering how to watch college football this season? Here are your best options:
Excellent introductory offer
YouTube TV
Free trial for 14 days, then $54.99/month for 3 months ($72.99/month after that)
(Savings of $54)
The most complete coverage
Fobo TV
Free 7-day trial, then $74.99/month
The 2023 college football season is officially in session. The Week 1 schedule begins on August 31 and is sure to be a tough one.
This NCAAF season marks the end of an era — the last chance to see traditional, regional conferences and rivalries before they see a major shakeup. We saw some messy conference shuffling during the offseason, which basically culminated in the elimination of the PAC-12 and the formation of a “super league” of sorts. Starting next year, USC, UCLA, Oregon, and Washington are headed to the Big Ten along with Ohio State, Penn State, and other top teams, while Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado, and Utah join TCU, Oklahoma, in the Big 12. are joining. and Texas as potential new competitors. That leaves just four schools in the Pac-12. This is also the last year that there will be only four playoff teams. In other words, college football is going to look completely different.
If you want to enjoy the last year before things turn sour, we’ve got you covered. Keep scrolling to learn how to watch college football without cable in 2023, which channels you need, and the best ways to get them.
Can I watch college football games without cable?
The 2023 college football season will be broadcast on local channels, specialty sports networks, and even some streaming services. If you don’t have cable, you have plenty of options for tuning into games, but it’s hard to decide which one works best for you.
A live TV streaming service or cable replacement like YouTube TV or FuboTV will give you the most comprehensive channel selection, but will also cost you the most money. However, the good news is that unlike cable, you can cancel at any time. A single streaming service like Paramount Plus will give you access to a smaller number of games, but will only cost you a few bucks a month. (TL;DR: You get what you pay for.)
What are the best games to watch?
For the weekend of October 6-8, be sure to check out our TV lineup:
What channels are college football games on?
Before you decide which live TV service or streaming app to watch NCAA college football games on, you need to know which networks your team plays on. Below, we’ve compiled a list of each conference and the channels and streamers that will broadcast games for each conference in 2023. Not sure what conference your team is in? Check out this list at ESPN.com.
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American Athletic Conference (AAC) — ABC, ESPN, ESPN 2, ESPN U, ESPN+
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Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) — ABC, ACC Network, ACC Network Extra, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPN+, The CW
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Big 12 — ABC, ESPN, ESPN 2, ESPN U, ESPN+, Fox, Fox Sports 1, Longhorn Network (Texas only)
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Big Ten — Big Ten Network, CBS, Fox, Fox Sports 1, NBC, Peacock
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Conference USA – CBS Sports Network, ESPN, ESPN 2, ESPN U, ESPN+
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FBS Independent — CBS Sports Network, ESPN, ESPN+, NBC, Peacock
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Mid-American Conference (MAC) — CBS Sports Network, ESPN, ESPN 2, ESPN U, ESPN+
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Mountain West Conference (MW) — CBS, CBS Sports Network, Fox, Fox Sports 1
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Pac-12 Conference — ABC, ESPN, ESPN 2, ESPN U, ESPN+, Fox, Fox Sports 1, Pac-12 Network
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Southeastern Conference (SEC) — CBS, ESPN, ESPN 2, ESPN U, ESPN+, SEC Network, SEC+
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Sun Belt Conference — ABC, ESPN, ESPN 2, ESPN U, ESPN+
What are the best streaming services for college football?
As mentioned above, the best streaming service for college football depends on what team you root for, how many games you want to access, and how much you’re willing to pay. Below are the best streaming apps for live sports ranging in price — from six bucks a month to over $100 a month. do not worry; If you want to know how to watch college football live in 2023, we’ve broken it all down for you. You can also view the full broadcast schedule on the NCAAF website to plan your viewing.
Best introductory offer: YouTube TV
According to Mashable shopping reporter Leah Stoddart, “arguably the best premium live TV streaming service,” YouTube TV is a well-rounded cable alternative that gives you access to plenty of college football games. With more than 100 live channels, you can watch games on ABC, CBS, NBC, ESPN, ESPN 2, ESPNews, SEC Network, The CW, and more (see full list below). Plus, YouTube TV is now the exclusive home of NFL Sunday Ticket, so it’s a great option for football fans.
And most importantly, the streamer offers a great introductory period for newbies. You can watch for 20 minutes without commitment, then start your free trial, which is usually around 10 days, but often up to 14. Once your trial ends, you’ll pay just $54.99/month for your first three months ($72.99/month after that) for a limited time.
Note: Hulu + Live TV has a similar channel lineup at a cheaper monthly price, but doesn’t offer a free trial or introductory rate.
Channels: ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, CBS, CBS Sports Network, ESPN, ESPN 2, ESPNews, Fox, FS1, FS2, NBC, NBCSN, NFL Network, SEC Network, and The CW
Most complete coverage: FuboTV
FuboTV takes sports seriously – although it offers a variety of channels, its claim to fame is its commitment-free live sports streaming. With a Pro subscription (the most affordable tier), you get access to most college football broadcasts for $74.99/month. But die-hard fans will likely want to upgrade to the Elite plan for $84.99/month, which also unlocks access to ESPNU, the SEC Network, the Pac-12 Network, and the ACC Network. Either way, you can test the waters for seven days before paying.
Channels: ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, CBS, CBS Sports Network, ESPN, ESPN 2, ESPNews, Fox, FS1, FS2, Marquee Sports Network, Monumental Sports, NBC, NBCSN, NFL Network, Pac-12 Network, SEC Network, and The CW
Most affordable cable replacement: Sling TV Orange + Blue
Another one of our favorite live TV streamers is Sling TV. Although it offers fewer channels than YouTube TV, it’s still a solid choice for streaming college football. Plus, it’s much cheaper than our other cable replacement picks. Your best bet for NCAA football broadcasts is to sign up for the Orange + Blue package for $55/month ($27.50 for your first month). It gives you access to ABC and ESPN networks in the Orange package and NBC and NFL networks in the Blue package. If you want even more sports channels, you can also opt for the Sports Extra add-on for an additional $15/month.
Channels: ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, ESPN, ESPN 2, ESPN 3, ESPNews, ESPN U, Fox, FS1, FS2, NBC, NFL Network, Pac-12 Network, SEC Network
Best for CBS broadcast: Paramount+
What are the best streaming apps to watch college football online this year? Casual college football viewers can enjoy simulcasts from CBS networks on Paramount+ for a much lower price than some of the other options on this list. Games broadcast on Paramount+ CBS and CBS Sports Network, including nationally televised SEC and Big 10 showdowns. The Essential tier costs just $5.99/month and offers a seven-day free trial to get you started. If you commit to a full year, you can save 99 cents a month and pay a total of $59.99 (registration $71.88).
Best for NBC broadcasts: Peacock Premium
Like Paramount+, Peacock offers simulcasts of games broadcast on NBC throughout the 2023 season. In addition, the Peacock offers special broadcasts of 10 college football games, including the Oct. 14 matchup between Notre Dame and Southern California. Like Paramount+, Peacock Premium costs $5.99/month or $59.99/year.
Best for casual viewers: ESPN+
It’s not the best choice if you’re hoping to watch every single game, but if you’re a casual viewer, ESPN+ covers a handful of broadcasts for a relatively low price. You’ll have access to ESPN, ESPN2, and ABC, plus some simulcasts from all ESPN+ exclusive games. ESPN+ gives subscribers access to exclusive original series, premium articles and more. It costs $9.99/month on its own or can be bundled with Hulu and Disney+ for $12.99/month.
It’s also worth noting that the College Football Playoffs will be broadcast on ESPN, so if you want to enjoy the postseason action, you’ll need access to that channel to watch the semifinals and finals in January 2024. will be needed.
Note: You may need to show proof of subscription to another service, such as YouTube TV or Fubo TV, to stream some ESPN or ABC simulcast games.
Channels: ESPN, ESPN2, ABC, ESPN+
Honorable mention
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DirecTV Stream (Channels: ABC, CBS, CBS Sports Network, ESPN, ESPN 2, Fox, FS1, NBC, and The CW) — Free 5-day trial, then $99.99/month
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Hulu + Live TV (Channels: ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, CBS, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN News, ESPNU, Fox, FS1, FS2 , NBC, NFL Network, and The CW) – $69.99/month
