Cord-cutting is on the rise, and with the availability of free as well as paid streaming video on demand (SVOD) platforms, dumping cable has never been more feasible. While it’s simple enough to access movies and TV shows, live sports are another matter. An over-the-air (OTA) antenna lets you watch local channels. Although that should be fine for many regional NCAA football matchups, national games often air on premium over-the-top (OTT) channels. Learn how to watch college football without cable in 2021, from OTA methods to OTT options and everything in between!
Where to Watch NCAA Football for Free Watch CFB Games Live in 2021
NCAA college football competitions air on a variety of freely available over-the-air channels and premium cable channels. ABC, NBC, Fox, and CBS regularly show college football games. For OTA stations, most SEC matches are broadcast on CBS. Notre Dame football plays on NBC, with simulcasts available over the Internet.
Fox and ABC split Big 12, Big Ten, and Pac-12 games usually. And you’ll find many ACC as well as American games on ABC. Picking up an OTA antenna lets you freely and cheaply watch NCAA football live without cable. Pairing your antenna with a DVR lets you pause, rewind, fast forward, and record live television. We recommend the Tablo Dual HDMI for its excellent picture quality.
For live TV streaming cable replacements, YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, FuboTV, and DirecTV Stream carry all four local stations. Sling offers NBC and Fox where available, while Philo lacks all local channels. While Sling lacks most local channels, you can still get access using an OTA antenna, or with the free Locast app.
NCAA football OTA channels:
- ABC: Big 12, Big Ten, Pac-12, ACC, American
- Fox: Big 12, Big Ten, Pac-12
- NBC: Notre Dame football
- CBS: SEC
College Football Premium OTT Channels – ESPN, Fox Sports, TNT, and More
In addition to local channels, NCAA football airs on a slew of premium stations for the 2020 season. You’ll find games on ESPN and its affiliates, Fox Sports 1 and Fox Sports 2, TBS, TNT, CBS Sports Network, Fox College Sports, and NBC Sports Network. To live stream NCAA college football without cable on premium stations, you’ll need an OTT streaming service like Hulu with Live TV, FuboTV, YouTube TV, Sling TV, or DirecTV Stream.
Hulu with Live TV by default comes with ACC Network, ACC Network Extra, Big 10 Network, CBS Sports Network, ESPN, ESPN 2, ESPN U, Fox College Sports, FS1, FS2, SEC Network, TBS, and TNT. Additionally, Hulu + Live TV gets you all four local channels (Fox, CBS, NBC, ABC). Longhorn Network and Pac-12 Network aren’t available.
YouTube TV’s base price includes ACC Network, ACC Network Extra, Big 10 Network, CBS Sports Network, ESPN, ESPN 2, ESPNU, FS1, FS1, SEC Network, TBS, and TNT. You’ll also get all four local channels in CBS, NBC, ABC, and Fox. Pac-12 Network and Longhorn Network aren’t available while Fox College Sports is available with a paid add-on.
FuboTV provides ACC Network, Big 10 Network, CBS Sports Network, ESPN, ESPN 2, ESPNU, FS1, FS2, and SEC Network. And you’ll get access to ABC, CBS, Fox, and NBC. Pac-12 Network, Fox College Sports, and ESPNU are available for additional charges. TBS, TNT, Longhorn Network, and ACC Network Extra aren’t available.
What you get with Sling depends on whether you opt for Sling Orange, Sling Blue, or Sling Orange and Blue. Both Sling Orange and Blue offer TBS, TNT, and FS1. Sling Blue includes ESPN and ESPN 2. The $11/month Sports Extra package on Sling Blue nets you Big 10 Network, Pac-12 Network, and FS2. The Sling Orange Sports Extra package for $11/month will let you stream ACC Network, ACC Network Extra, ESPNU, Longhorn Network, SEC Network, and Pac-12 Network.
College football premium cable channels:
- ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, ESPNU
- FS1, FS2
- NBC Sports Network
- TNT
- TBS
- Fox College Sports
- CBS Sports Network
- Stadium
- beIN Sports
- Eleven Sports
Regional Sports Channels
Aside from the standard fare of premium sports networks, there are some dedicated college sports channels. ACC Network, ACC Network Extra, Big Ten Network, Longhorn Network, Pac-12 Network, and SEC Network all host games. FuboTV comes with ACC Network, Big Ten Network, SEC Network, and Pac-123. While FuboTV doesn’t offer ACC Network Extra or Longhorn Network. Hulu touts ACC Network, ACC Network Extra, BGN, CBS Sports, ESPN U, and SEC Network but not Longhorn Network pr PAC-12 Network. YouTube TV comes with SEC Network, ACC Network, ACC Network Extra, and BTN but not PAC-12 Network or Longhorn Network. Sling TV lets you pay for an optional sports package to access Pac-12 Network, ACC Network, ACC Network Extra, SEC Network, and Longhorn Network.
Regional sports channels for live streaming NCAA college football:
- ACC Network, ACC Network Extra
- Big Ten Network
- Pac-12 Network
- SEC Network, SEC NEtwork+
- Longhorn Network
- ESPNU
How to Watch NCAA College Football Live on Streaming-only Channels in 2021
In addition to local channels, regional networks, and premium sports channels, you’ll find streaming-only sources for watching college football in 2021. ESPN3, ESPn+, beIN Sports, Stadium, and Eleven Sports all showcase college football matches. With FuboTV, you’ll get access to ESPN3, Eleven Sports, beIN Sports, and optionally Stadium. Sling TV provides ESPN, Stadium, and beIN Sports as part of a paid add-on. YouTube TV allows access to ESPN3, and Stadium is optional with a paid add-on.
Streaming-only NCAA college football live-streaming:
- ESPN3
- Stadium
- beIN Sports
- Eleven Sports
How to Watch College Football Without Cable – OTT NCAA Football Live Streaming Options
While you can easily watch college football using an OTA antenna, for premium stations and regional sports networks you’ll need a cable replacement TV streaming service. The major options are YouTube TV, Hulu with Live TV, FuboTV, Sling TV, and DirecTV Stream.
Watch College Without Cable Using Hulu + Live TV
Similarly, Hulu + Live TV (our review) lets you stream NCAA college football games live without cable. Hulu with Live TV affords access to all local channels, ESPN, ESPN2, Fox Sports 1, Fox Sports 2, NBC Sports Network, TBS, TNT, ESPNU, CBS Sports Network, ACC Network, ACC Network Extra, Big Ten Network, and SEC Network. Unfortunately, there’s no ESPN3 access, Pac-12 Network, Longhorn Network, or Fox College Sports. But it’s nevertheless a great choice. The user experience is awesome, and Hulu’s SVOD service bundled makes it a cost-effective cable alternative.
Hulu Live TV cost:$64.99+ (+$9.99 with the Sports add-on package)
- Local channels: Fox, CBS, NBC, ABC
- Premium cable channels: ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNEWS, ESPNU, Fox Sports 1, Fox Sports 2, NBC Sports Network, TBS, TNT, ESPNU, CBS Sports Network,
- Regional sports networks: ACC Network, ACC Network Extra, Big Ten Network, SEC Network
NCAA College Game Streaming on Sling TV
Sling TV (our review) maintains a modular design with its a la carte TV. The service is split into two different packages, Sling Orange and Sling Blue. Normally both retail for $30, or you can bundle and save with Sling Orange and Blue for $45. Although there’s some overlap in the Sling Orange and Blue channel lineups, it’s pretty minimal. Local channels are limited to Fox and NBC where available.
For instance, in North Carolina, Sling doesn’t carry any Fox or NBC affiliates. All regional sports networks require an optional paid upgrade, but Sling TV is one of the few OTT providers that features Longhorn Network. With a reasonable price tag, Sling TV could be a fantastic solution for streaming college football live, particularly if you supplement it with an OTA antenna for local channels. There’s also NFL Network for professional football games.
Sling TV cost: Sling Orange ($30), Sling Blue ($30), Sling Orange and Blue ($45)
- Local channels: Fox, NBC (in select markets)
- Premium cable channels: ESPN, ESPN2, Fox Sports 1, Fox Sports 2 (optional paid upgrade), NBC Sports Network, TBS, TNT, ESPNU (optional paid upgrade),
- Regional sports networks (only available with paid upgrade): ACC Network, ACC Network Extra, Big Ten Network, SEC Network, Pac-12 Network, Longhorn Network
- Streaming-only channels: ESPN3, Stadium, beIN Sports (optional paid upgrade)
FuboTV College Football Live Game Streaming
Although it does feature a mix of sports and non-sports channels, FuboTV concentrates on athletics programming. Beginning at $65 a month, you’ll receive all major local channels in NBC, Fox, ABC and CBS. ESPN and its affiliates come standard alongside NBCSN, Bein Sports, CBS Sports Network, BTN, FS2, NBC Golf, Fubo Sports Network, and more. The Sports Plus add-on tacks on NFL RedZone, ESPN U, NBA TV, SEC Network, and more for $10.99.
Fubo TV cost: $65+ (+$10.99 with Sports Plus add-on)
- Local channels: Fox, CBS, NBC, ABC
- Premium cable channels: ESPN, ESPN2, Fox Sports 1, Fox Sports 2, NBC Sports Network, ESPNU, CBS Sports Network
- Regional sports networks: ACC Network, ACC Network Extra, Big Ten Network, SEC Network,
- Streaming-only channels: ESPN3, Stadium (optional paid upgrade), beIN Sports, Eleven
YouTube TV – Stream NCAA Football Games Without Cable in 2021
YouTube TV (our review) remains one of the best cable replacement streaming services for cord-cutters. Despite a price hike to $65 USD in August 2020, YouTube TV boasts a solid mix of channels and features. You’ll enjoy an unlimited cloud DVR, excellent user interface (UI), and a ton of TV stations. Plus, you can create up to six different user accounts each with separate logins.
For watching college football, YouTube TV carries all local networks in CBS, Fox, NBC, and ABC. You’ll get ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, PN, ESPN2, Fox Sports 1, Fox Sports 2, NBC Sports Network, TBS, TNT, ESPNU, CBS Sports Network, Fox College Sports, ACC Network, ACC Network Extra, Big Ten Network, SEC Network, and a host of other channels. For NFL game streaming, YouTube TV includes NFL Network and optionally NFL RedZone. With a superb blend of sports and non-sports content, YouTube TV is a great way to watch college football live without cable.
YouTube TV cost: $65+
- Local channels: Fox, CBS, NBC, ABC
- Premium cable channels: ESPN, ESPN2, Fox Sports 1, Fox Sports 2, NBC Sports Network, TBS, TNT, ESPNU, CBS Sports Network, Fox College Sports (with paid upgrade)
- Regional sports networks: ACC Network, ACC Network Extra, Big Ten Network, SEC Network
- Streaming-only networks: ESPN3, Stadium (with paid add-on)
Live Stream NCAA College Football Without Cable on DirecTV Stream
DirecTV Stream (formerly known as DirecTV Now and AT&T Now) is a good choice for NCAA college football streaming sans cable. The four major local networks come standard. Premium sports channels ESPN, ESPN2, FS1, NBCSN, TBS, and TNT are available with the base Entertainment plan while the Ultimate gives you FS2 for $94.99. Similarly, you’ll need the $84.99 Choice plan to watch ACC Network, ACC Network Extra, BTN, CBS Sports Network, ESPNU, and SEC Network.
AT&T Now cost: $69.99+
- Local channels: Fox, CBS, NBC, ABC
- Premium cable channels: ESPN, ESPN2, Fox Sports 1, Fox Sports 2 (with MAX tier), NBC Sports Network, ESPNU (available with $80 MAX tier), CBS Sports Network (available with $80 MAX tier)
- Regional sports networks: ACC Network, ACC Network Extra, Big Ten Network, SEC Network, (ACC Network/ACC Network Extra, ESPNEWS, ESPNU, SEC Network, require $84.99 Choice plan, FS2 requires ($94.99 Ultimate tier)
Paramount+ – A Budget Solution to Watch College Football Live Without Cable
Although an OTA antenna works perfectly well for watching CBS, the paid over-the-top streaming service Paramount+ (previously CBS All Access) allows you to watch CBS programming including college sports. At a mere $4.99 a month, it’s an affordable solution for NCAA football live streaming. Additionally, Paramount Plus enables you to watch NFL games plus hit shows like “NCIS New Orleans” and “Evil,” and original series like “Star Trek: Picard.”
Paramount Plus cost: $4.99/month
ESPN+ NCAA College Football Game Streaming
Because ESPN and its affiliates carry many NCAA college football matchups, you’ll want the slate of ESPN channels. Though subscribing to a cable replacement service like YouTube TV, Hulu, or FuboTV lets you watch ESPN, you could instead simply subscribe to ESPN+. It costs $5.99 a month or $49.99 a year. But there’s a cost-effective bundle of Hulu SVOD, Disney+, and ESPN+ for $12.99 a month. You can watch loads of college football games plus a bevy of other live collegiate and professional sports. What’s more, ESPN+ hosts a slew of originals such as documentaries and its award-winning 30-for-30 series. It’s a great choice for cour-cutters looking to stream NCAA football that complements an OTA antenna extremely well.
ESPN+ cost: $5.00/month, $49.99/year, or $12.99/month bundled with Hulu and Disney+
How to Watch College Football Without Cable – Streaming and OTA Options Final Thoughts
There’s no shortage of methods for watching NCAA football without cable in 2021. An OTA antenna is arguably the best way to watch college sports since it’s a one-time purchase. However, channel availability varies based on your location. CBS All Access and ESPN+ pair well with an over-the-air antenna for a cord-cutter friendly setup. Cable replacement OTT streaming services glean you the most channels. Hulu + Live TV, FuboTV, and YouTube TV boast the most comprehensive NCAA game streaming capabilities, but Sling TV and AT&T NOW are worthy options as well.
Your turn: How are you live streaming NCAA college football without cable in 2021?
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