College football season is here, and it's one of the most exciting times of the year for all the fans. But if you don't have a cable subscription, you might be wondering how to catch all the action. The good news? You don't need cable to watch college football. Many streaming services offer live sports, including college football, and they're a great alternative to traditional cable. Plus, you can watch the games on your laptop, tablet, or even your phone when you're on the go.
What are the best streaming services for college football?
Most college football games, including big matchups and bowl games, are broadcast on major networks like ABC, CBS, FOX, and NBC. But, sports channels such as ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, FS1, and CBS Sports Network, as well as college conference networks like ACC Network, Big Ten Network, and SEC Network, also air many games. With this in mind, here are some top picks to stream college football:
YouTube TV
YouTube TV is one of the best options for college football fans. It includes all the major networks for watching college football, such as ABC, CBS, ESPN, FOX, and NBC. It also offers access to conference-specific networks like the Big Ten Network and SEC Network, so you can catch all the regional games that matter most to you. You can record as many games as you want with unlimited DVR storage. YouTube TV starts at $72.99/month ($52.99/month for your first four months).
Learn more about YouTube TV.
Hulu + Live TV
Hulu + Live TV is another great place to stream college football games. You get access to live games on networks that broadcast college football, like ABC, CBS, NBC, and FOX. Moreover, you get every ESPN channel, including ESPN+, as well as ACC Network, SEC Network, and PAC-12 Network, which means you can catch most of the major college football games. For $76.99 per month, you also get Disney+ and Hulu's entire streaming library, which can be perfect for binge-watching your favorite shows or movies in between games.
Learn more about Hulu + Live TV.
Sling TV
Sling TV is the most flexible and affordable option for streaming college football, as it lets you customize packages and choose add-ons at a lower price than most services. For college football fans, the Orange + Blue package is the way to go. This package costs $55 per month ($27.50 for your first month), and you get access to ABC, NBC, ESPN, and many other sports channels where you can watch college football. You can also add Sports Extra for broader coverage, but this will cost you an additional $11 monthly.
Learn more about Sling TV.
Fubo TV
Fubo TV is another excellent option for catching college football without cable. Starting at $79.99 per month, it's not the cheapest, but it's known for its extensive sports coverage with over 200 channels of live sports and TV, including ESPN, CBS Sports Network, Fox Sports, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, SEC Network, and PAC-12 Network. You can catch nearly every college football game out there, along with other sports content. It also includes unlimited Cloud DVR space to record all those games you cannot watch live.
Learn more about Fubo TV.
How to maximize your streaming experience
Now that you know where to stream college football, let's talk about how to make the most of it. Here are a few tips:
Know your must-have channels: Research which networks air the games for your team's conference. This will help you identify your must-have channels and choose the most appropriate streaming service. For example, if you're a fan of an SEC team, you'll want a service that offers ESPN and CBS.
If you don’t know which conference your team belongs to, you can look it up on the NCAA website.
Take advantage of free trials: Most streaming services offer free trials. For instance, YouTube TV has a 10-day free trial, while Fubo TV has a 7-day free trial. This should give you enough time to test them for things like streaming quality, channel availability, and device compatibility before deciding which service to stick with.
Additional content: Consider what other content beyond college football is available on the service. If you're interested in other sports or entertainment, choosing a service with a broader offering might provide better value.
Split the cost: If you're living with roommates or have friends in your dorm who are just as passionate about college football as you are, consider splitting the cost of a streaming service. Most services allow multiple simultaneous streams, so you can all watch the games on your own devices while sharing the subscription.
Watch college football for free without cable or streaming service
While streaming services provide a great way to watch college football, they do come with a subscription fee. If it is too much for you and splitting the cost is not an option, there are still other ways to catch the games (or at least some) without breaking the bank.
Digital antenna: If your team's games are broadcast on local networks like ABC, CBS, NBC, or FOX, you can pick them up with a simple digital antenna. These digital antennas are quite affordable (the good ones cost $30 to $60), easy to set up (simply connect it to your TV), and provide access to over-the-air broadcasts without the need for a cable subscription or internet connection. It's a one-time purchase that gives you free access to live football games all season.
Watch parties and campus events: Sometimes, the best way to watch college football isn't alone in your dorm but with other fellow fans. Many colleges throw watch parties for big college football games, especially for rivalry matchups. Check your campus events calendar or social media pages to see if there are any watch parties coming up. These events can be a great opportunity to catch a game for free, have fun with other students, and make new friends.
Please note that all the prices and offers mentioned in this blog were as of 8/19/2024 and may change at any time.
Protect your devices while streaming college football!
Streaming college football on your laptop, tablet, or phone is a blast – until a device mishap ruins all the fun. Don’t let a cracked phone screen or soda spill on your laptop cost you a small fortune and stop you from enjoying this college football season. With a policy from NSSI, you’re covered for accidental damage to your electronic devices, so you don’t need to worry about costly repairs or replacements when accidents happen. See all the benefits of NSSI Student Personal Property Insurance and get a free quote!
Whether you’re living on campus or studying abroad, NSSI has you covered! From spilling coffee all over your laptop to dropping your smart phone in the parking lot, you’re covered wherever you go. 
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