This year, college football fans will have to work hard to keep up with their favorite teams, with games now airing across ABC, NBC, CBS, USA, ESPN, TNT, truTV, TBS, FOX, ABC, ESPN2, ESPNU, SEC Network, ACC Network, FOX, FS1, NFL Network and BTN. That's an exhausting number of options, but the great news is that just about every channel you need to watch NCAA football is available with DIRECTV's MySports® Genre Pack®. The MySports® Genre Pack® includes every channel you need to watch college football, and it also includes ESPN Unlimited, which also offers ESPN+, SEC Network+ and ACCNX, on top of every other ESPN-owned cable channel, so you can stream games that you can't see anywhere else.
The NCAAF season begins on August 27, so you've got some time to get your streaming services sorted, but when it comes to getting access to every channel you'll need to watch the most games this season, MySports® is the way to go. Here's what you need to know to watch the 2026-27 NFL season with DIRECTV's MySports® Genre Pack® so you won't miss a thing.
How to watch the 2026 college football season with DIRECTV:
Dates: August 27, 2026 - January 25, 2027
TV channels: ESPN, NBC, CBS, Fox, FS1, ABC, TNT, truTV, and more
Streaming: DIRECTV MySports® Genre Pack®
How to watch college football games with DIRECTV in 2026
College football games are broadcast across a vast range of channels, ranging from nationally televised games on networks like ABC, NBC, FOX and CBS, as well as niche channels that support college sports, like ESPNU, SEC Network, and ACC Network.
A subscription to DIRECTV's MySports® Genre Pack® gets you access to just about every channel you need to watch college ball this season; you'll pay for all the channels you need, and none of the ones you don't.
Cancel anytime. Local channels vary by market. Blackout restrictions apply. Select sales channels only.
This will not replace any existing Disney+, Hulu, ESPN, or Disney bundle subscription you may already have. All other accounts must be managed separately. You must remain on an eligible plan to retain your offer.
Why we love DIRECTV:
As Yahoo Tech writes: DIRECTV is the polished and likable cable alternative that cord-cutters have been searching for. Miss flipping through endless channels on the hunt for a gem to tune into? DIRECTV's got one of the best channel guides out there. And in terms of content diversity, DIRECTV has you covered there too, with packages ranging from hyper-specific Genre Packs for sports fans and reality TV zealots to full-coverage options for TV fans who want it all. Sports fans, meanwhile, will appreciate that ESPN Unlimited is included with many DIRECTV plans. And don't worry about missing your favorite shows, either: In addition to live channels, DIRECTV offers a full range of on-demand programming and unlimited DVR. That's why we called DIRECTV the best cable TV replacement in the streaming world.
2026 NCAAF Schedule:
The NCAAF season begins on August 27 with Week Zero, with most games scheduled that week streaming on ESPN+. Notable matchups in these early weeks include the Aer Lingus College Football Classic in Dublin betweenNorth Carolina and TCU, airing on ESPN on Aug. 29, Colorado vs. Georgia Tech (Sept. 3, ESPN), Texas State vs Texas (Sept. 5, ESPN), and Wisconsin vs. Notre Dame (Sept. 6, NBC). These channels and many more are all available with DIRECTV's MySports® Genre Pack®.
NCAAF 2026 season Week 0 schedule:
All times Eastern
Watch with DIRECTVThursday, Aug. 27
Mercyhurst at Youngstown State: 6 p.m. (ESPN+)
Maine at Towson: 6 p.m. (FloSports)
Chattanooga at West Georgia: 7 p.m. (ESPN+)
Charleston Southern at Lindenwood: 7 p.m. (ESPN+)
Southern Illinois at West Florida: 7 p.m. (ESPN+)
Mississippi Valley State at Nicholls: 7 p.m. (ESPN+)
Gardner-Webb at Austin Peay: 7 p.m. (ESPN+)
Central Arkansas at UT Martin: 7:30 p.m. (ESPN+)
Stony Brook at Delaware State: Time TBA (ESPN+)
LIU at North Dakota: Time TBA (ESPN+)
Houston Christian at Southeastern Louisiana: Time TBA (ESPN+)
Friday, Aug. 28
Marist at New Haven: 6 p.m. (NEC Front Row)
Colgate at Fordham: 6 p.m. (ESPN+)
New Hampshire at UAlbany: 7 p.m. (FloSports)
Weber State at Northern Colorado: 9 p.m. (ESPN+)
Idaho at Cal Poly: 10 p.m. (ESPN+)
Rhode Island at Merrimack: Time TBA (ESPN+)
Saturday, Aug. 29
TCU vs. North Carolina (Aviva Stadium in Dublin, Ireland): 12 p.m. (ESPN)
San Jose State at USC: 3 p.m. (NBC)
Alabama State vs. Southern (Legion Field in Birmingham, Ala.): 3 p.m. (ESPNU)
NC State at Virginia: 3:30 p.m. (ESPN)
Jacksonville State at North Dakota State: 5:30 p.m. (CBSSN)
Sacramento State at Eastern Michigan: 6:30 p.m. (ESPN+)
Hawai'i at Stanford: 7 p.m. (ACC Network)
New Mexico State at Florida State: 7 p.m. (The CW Network)
East Texas A&M at Mercer: 7 p.m. (ESPN)
Howard vs. Alabama A&M (Center Parc Stadium in Atlanta): 7:30 p.m. (ABC)
Prairie View A&M at Tarleton State: 9 p.m. (ESPN2)
Memphis at UNLV: 10 p.m. (FOX)
Week One NCAAF schedule:
All times Eastern
Thursday, Sept. 3
UMass at Rutgers: 6 p.m. (Big Ten Network)
Bethune-Cookman at UCF: 7 p.m. (ESPN+)
Akron at Wake Forest: 7 p.m. (ACC Network)
Merrimack at Delaware: 7 p.m. (ESPN+)
West Georgia at Kennesaw State: 7 p.m. (ESPN+)
UAlbany at Buffalo: 7 p.m. (ESPN+)
Arkansas-Pine Bluff at Missouri: 8 p.m. (SEC Network)
Colorado at Georgia Tech: 8 p.m. (ESPN)
Eastern Illinois at Minnesota: 8 p.m. (Peacock)
Idaho at Utah: 9 p.m. (ESPNU)
UAB at Illinois: 9 p.m. (Big Ten Network)
Friday, Sept. 3
San Jose State at Eastern Michigan: 6:30 p.m. (ESPN+)
Indiana State at Purdue: 7 p.m. (Big Ten Network)
North Carolina A&T at Georgia State: 7 p.m. (ESPN+)
UTEP at Oklahoma: 8 p.m. (SECN+)
LIU at Kansas: 8 p.m. (ESPNU)
Toledo at Michigan State: 8 p.m. (FS1)
Miami (Fla.) at Stanford: 9 p.m. (ESPN)
Fresno State at USC: 9 p.m. (FOX)
Saturday, Sept. 4
East Carolina at Alabama: 12 p.m. (ABC)
Oregon State at Houston: 12 p.m. (ESPN)
Coastal Carolina at West Virginia: 12 p.m. (TNT/HBO Max)
New Hampshire at Syracuse: 12 p.m. (ACC Network)
North Texas at Indiana: 12 p.m. (FOX)
Ohio at Nebraska: 12 p.m. (FS1)
Bryant at Army: 12 p.m. (CBSSN)
Tarleton State at Bowling Green: 12 p.m. (ESPN+)
Liberty at James Madison: 12 p.m. (ESPNU)
Miami (Ohio) at Pitt: 12:30 p.m. (ESPN Unlimited and the CW Network)
Ball State at Ohio State: 12:30 p.m. (Big Ten Network)
Kent State at South Carolina: 12:45 p.m. (SEC Network)
Youngstown State at Kentucky: 1 p.m. (SECN+)
SE Missouri State at Iowa State: 1 p.m. (ESPN+)
Duquesne at Air Force: 1 p.m. (MW+)
Rhode Island at Temple: 2 p.m. (ESPN+)
Tennessee State at Georgia: 3 p.m. (SECN+)
Auburn vs. Baylor (Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta): 3:30 p.m. (ABC)
Furman at Tennessee: 3:30 p.m. (SECN+)
Texas State at Texas: 3:30 p.m. (ESPN)
Boston College at Cincinnati: 3:30 p.m. (FOX)
Tulane at Duke: 3:30 p.m. (ACC Network)
Boise State at Oregon: 3:30 p.m. (CBS)
Marshall at Penn State: 3:30 p.m. (FS1)
The Citadel at Charlotte: 3:30 p.m. (ESPN+)
Towson at Navy: 3:30 p.m. (CBSSN)
UT Rio Grande Valley at UTSA: 3:30 p.m. (ESPN+)
Fordham at North Dakota State: 3:30 p.m. (ESPN Unlimited and The CW Network)
Maine at App State: 3:30 p.m. (ESPN+)
Oklahoma State at Tulsa: 3:45 p.m. (ESPNU)
North Alabama at Arkansas: 4:15 p.m. (SEC Network)
Northern Illinois at Iowa: 4:15 p.m. (Big Ten Network)
Alcorn State at Southern Miss: 5 p.m. (ESPN+)
Wyoming at Colorado State: 6 p.m. (USA Network)
Norfolk State at Old Dominion: 6 p.m. (ESPN+)
Missouri State at Texas A&M: 7 p.m. (ESPN)
Austin Peay at Vanderbilt: 7 p.m. (SECN+)
Abilene Christian at Texas Tech: 7 p.m. (FS1)
Nicholls at Kansas State: 7 p.m. (ESPN+)
Idaho State at Utah State: 7 p.m. (CBSSN)
Arkansas State at Memphis: 7 p.m. (ESPN+)
Houston Christian at Rice: 7 p.m. (ESPN+)
Florida International at South Florida: 7 p.m. (ESPN+)
Murray State at Middle Tennessee: 7 p.m. (ESPN+)
Eastern Kentucky at Jacksonville State: 7 p.m. (ESPN+)
Charleston Southern at Georgia Southern: 7 p.m. (ESPN+)
SE Louisiana at South Alabama: 7 p.m. (ESPN+)
Sam Houston at Troy: 7 p.m. (ESPN+)
Clemson at LSU: 7:30 p.m. (ABC)
UL Monroe at Mississippi State: 7:30 p.m. (ESPNU)
VMI at Virginia Tech: 7:30 p.m. (ACC Network)
Western Michigan at Michigan: 7:30 p.m. (NBC)
Northwestern State at Louisiana Tech: 7:30 p.m. (ESPN+)
Florida Atlantic at Florida: 7:45 p.m. (SEC Network)
Utah Tech at BYU: 8 p.m. (ESPN+)
Hampton at Maryland: 8 p.m. (Big Ten Network)
South Dakota State at Northwestern: 8 p.m. (Big Ten Network)
Lamar at Louisiana: 8 p.m. (ESPN+)
Morgan State at Arizona State: 9 p.m. (ESPN+)
Mercyhurst at New Mexico State: 9 p.m. (ESPN+)
Northern Arizona at Arizona: 9:30 p.m. (ESPN+)
Portland State at San Diego State: 9:30 p.m. (USA Network)
UNLV at Hawai'i: 10 p.m. (ESPN Unlimited and The CW Network)
Central Michigan at New Mexico: 10 p.m. (FS1)
Mississippi Valley State at Sacramento State: 10 p.m. (ESPN+)
UCLA at Cal: 10:30 p.m. (ESPN)
Western Kentucky at Nevada: 10:30 p.m. (CBSSN)
Sunday, Sept. 6
Texas Southern at Prairie View A&M: 12 p.m. (ESPN2)
Florida A&M vs. South Carolina State (Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla.): 3 p.m. (ESPN)
Washington State at Washington: 4 p.m. (NBC)
Ole Miss vs. Louisville (Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn.): 7:30 p.m. (ABC)
Notre Dame vs. Wisconsin (Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis.): 7:30 p.m. (NBC)
Monday, Sept. 7
SMU at Florida State: 7:30 p.m. (ESPN)