Week 9 might not have the same overwhelming number of ranked showdowns we have gotten used to lately, but the two on Saturday’s schedule both carry real weight. No. 22 Arizona will open the day with a trip to Lubbock to face No. 13 Texas Tech on ESPN at 12 noon ET, while No. 17 Florida and No. 3 Georgia temporarily relocate the World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party to Mercedes-Benz Stadium, which is… indoors… at 3:30 p.m. ET on ABC. Both games could have major implications for their respective conference races, and in Georgia’s case, the national-title picture as well.

Beyond those ranked matchups, there are several games that should command plenty of attention. No. 2 Ohio State heads to Los Angeles for a primetime meeting with the USC Trojans on NBC, while top-ranked Miami visits the North Carolina Tar Heels on ABC in the same 7:30 p.m. ET window. No. 25 Wisconsin head to Kinnick to face the Iowa Hawkeyes for the Heartland Trophy on Fox, and No. 5 Notre Dame renews its long-running rivalry with the Navy Midshipmen. It is not the deepest Saturday of the season, but there is still more than enough intrigue spread across the day to keep college football fans locked in.

Everything you need to know about Week 9 of college football

What is the best streamer to watch college football?

In the expert opinion of the staff here at The Streamable, we think that the best option to stream college football in 2026 is DIRECTV. When it comes to offering the most channels in streaming, every live TV streaming service is chasing DIRECTV. To start, the streamer has the industry’s best guaranteed free trial. While others can roll out longer options depending on what time of year it is and what qualifications you meet as a customer, DIRECTV offers a five-day trial to all new users. So, if you want to give the platform a go before figuring out if you are ready to commit, you can watch the full weekend of action before paying a penny.

Of course, one of the things any fan needs to factor in when putting together streaming plans is what channels will be carrying their favorite team and conference’s games. Fortunately, the platform offers more of The Streamable’s top 35 cable channels than any other streamer, so if you are looking for a breadth of programming options, DIRECTV is a surefire hit.

What channels carry each conference’s games?

But what really makes DIRECTV stand out is its ability to offer a variety of compelling packages for football fans. DIRECTV offers a handful of skinny bundle Genre Packs that allow people to pick curated channel lineups around central themes and genres, and for sports fans, that means the MySports Pack.

The MySports plan runs $65 a month after the aforementioned five-day free trial, which gives you a way to check out everything that it has to offer before having to pay a penny. However, currently, you can also save an additional $15 off your first month, so you will only pay $50 for the first 30 days of the season.

Related: How to watch the 2026-27 college football season

You’ll also get a bunch of great sports channels with MySports, including ACC Network, Big Ten Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNEWS, ESPNU, FS1, FS2, Golf Channel, MLB Network, NBA TV, NFL Network, NHL Network, SEC Network, TBS, TNT, and USA Network, and depending on your market, ABC, CBS, Fox, and NBC.

These channels bring you an incredible selection of games from across pro and college sports, and MySports also comes with a free ESPN Unlimited subscription. Pretty solid. All these channels and features are available for just $65, which is why it’s our favorite way to watch.

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DIRECTV

DIRECTV is one of The Streamable’s top choices for the best live TV streaming service overall in 2026, especially for users who want the most channels or want to watch the most live sports. With an unbeatable lineup of local, news, sports, and entertainment channels, three main signature packages, an unlimited DVR, and 20 simultaneous streams at home, DIRECTV remains a premier choice for any cord-cutter.

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Following the launch of several genre-specific Genre Packs, there are now even more flexible ways to watch DIRECTV. Options like MySports, MyEntertainment, MyNews, and MiEspañol provide affordable, targeted alternatives to larger bundles, allowing viewers to subscribe to a specific set of channels that match their interests without the cost of a full lineup.

DIRECTV starts at $59.99 / month for its Entertainment package. You can access your local regional sports network with the Choice package, which begins at $64.99 / month, as well as the MySports Pack $44.99 / month. At the top end, they also have an Ultimate ($94.99) for 218 channels. Slimmer Genre Packs for entertainment and news are MyEntertainment for $42.99 / month and MyNews $39.99 / month. There is no contract or broadcast TV fees with this DIRECTV streaming option.

The service was previously called DIRECTV STREAM, preceded by AT&T TV.

How much does DIRECTV cost in 2026?

DIRECTV now offers flexible entry points starting at $19.99/month for the MyKids Genre Pack, while full Signature Packages like Entertainment start at $84.99/month. See the full list: DIRECTV Pricing & Plans

Does DIRECTV have a free trial?

Yes, DIRECTV offers a 5-Day Free Trial for new customers, which includes access to your chosen package and any added Genre Packs.

What are DIRECTV Genre Packs?

Genre Packs are targeted, contract-free plans introduced in 2025. They include MySports ($69.99/mo), MyEntertainment ($34.99/mo), MyNews ($39.99/mo), and MiEspañol ($34.99/mo), often bundling apps like Max, Disney+, or Hulu.

How many channels does DIRECTV have?

The channel count varies by plan: the Entertainment package starts with 90+ channels, while the Premier package offers over 185+ channels. See the full list: DIRECTV Channels.

How many streams are allowed at once on DIRECTV?

DIRECTV allows for unlimited simultaneous streams on your home network and up to 3 streams while on the go. See more details: DIRECTV Simultaneous Streams

Does DIRECTV include local channels?

Yes, local affiliates like ABC, CBS, Fox, and NBC are included in all Signature Packages and the MySports Genre Pack in most markets. See the full list: DIRECTV Local Channels.

Does DIRECTV have live sports?

DIRECTV is a leader in sports, offering ESPN, FS1, NFL Network, and MLB Network, plus Regional Sports Networks (RSNs) in the Choice plan and above. See the full list: DIRECTV Sports Channels.

Does DIRECTV offer premium channels?

Yes, you can add Max, Paramount+ with SHOWTIME, STARZ, and Cinemax. Many 2026 Genre Packs now include these services as part of the base price. See the full list: DIRECTV Premium Channels.

Does DIRECTV offer 4K streaming?

DIRECTV provides dedicated 4K channels (104-106) for live sports and special events at no extra cost, provided you have a compatible 4K device.

Does DIRECTV have a DVR?

Every DIRECTV plan includes Unlimited Cloud DVR storage, allowing you to record and save shows for up to 9 months.

Is there a Regional Sports Network (RSN) fee on DIRECTV?

An RSN fee of up to $15.99/month applies to the Choice package and above, as these plans include local sports coverage. This fee is determined by your zip code and the number of Regional Sports Networks available in your area.

Can I avoid the RSN fee on DIRECTV?

Yes. To avoid the RSN fee, you can subscribe to the Entertainment package or the MySports Genre Pack ($69.99/mo), which bundles sports content without a separate itemized RSN charge. See the breakdown: DIRECTV RSN Fees & Locations.

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Watch a full Week 9 preview

What is the top-25 Week 9 schedule?

Halloween Saturday doesn’t give us the sheer volume of ranked-vs.-ranked games that we have enjoyed over the past few weeks, but the two on the schedule should provide plenty of intrigue. No. 17 Florida and No. 3 Georgia will renew their rivalry in Atlanta on ABC at 3:30 p.m. ET, while No. 22 Arizona heads to Lubbock to take on No. 13 Texas Tech on ESPN at 12 noon ET.

There are also plenty of compelling games involving ranked teams against dangerous unranked opponents. No. 2 Ohio State heads west for a primetime battle with the USC Trojans on NBC, No. 1 Miami visits the North Carolina Tar Heels on ABC, and No. 25 Wisconsin travels to Kinnick Stadium to face the Iowa Hawkeyes on Fox. No. 5 Notre Dame and the Navy Midshipmen will also renew their long-running rivalry at Gillette Stadium at 12 noon ET on ABC.

What is the ACC Week 9 schedule?

The ACC gets three ranked teams into action Saturday, beginning when No. 19 SMU visits the Syracuse Orange on ESPN2 at 12 noon ET. Later in the afternoon, No. 14 Wake Forest hosts the Virginia Cavaliers at 3:45 p.m. ET on ESPN2, as the Demon Deacons look to remain firmly in the conference-title race.

The biggest game comes in primetime, however, when top-ranked Miami heads to Chapel Hill for a 7:30 p.m. ET showdown with the North Carolina Tar Heels on ABC. Elsewhere, Clemson visits Florida State at 7 p.m. ET on ACC Network, a matchup that might not have the national stakes many expected in August, but still carries plenty of familiar ACC animosity.

What is the Big 12 Week 9 schedule?

The Big 12 has one of the weekend’s two ranked-vs.-ranked matchups, and it gets Saturday started right away. No. 22 Arizona visits No. 13 Texas Tech on ESPN at 12 noon ET, with both teams trying to keep themselves in the thick of a crowded conference championship race.

No. 8 BYU will try to rebound from its first loss of the season when the Arizona State Sun Devils visit Provo on Fox at 3:30 p.m. ET, while undefeated No. 6 Utah faces a potentially tricky road trip to Cincinnati on ESPN at 3:45 p.m. ET. The final Big 12 game of the night has No. 24 Oklahoma State visiting Iowa State on FS1 at 7 p.m. ET.

What is the Big Ten Week 9 schedule?

The Big Ten saves its biggest game for primetime, when No. 2 Ohio State heads to Los Angeles to take on the USC Trojans on NBC at 7:30 p.m. ET. The Buckeyes have climbed back to No. 2 following their win over Indiana and now face another significant road test against a USC team still capable of making life difficult for anyone.

Before that, No. 25 Wisconsin visits the Iowa Hawkeyes at Kinnick Stadium on Fox at 12 noon ET in what has all the ingredients for an extremely Big Ten afternoon. No. 4 Indiana hosts the Minnesota Golden Gophers on CBS at 3:30 p.m. ET, while No. 20 Northwestern puts its surprising season to the test at Oregon on Peacock in the same window.

What is the SEC Week 9 schedule?

The SEC’s marquee game is one of the sport’s most recognizable rivalries, as No. 17 Florida and No. 3 Georgia meet in Atlanta on ABC at 3:30 p.m. ET. Georgia enters the weekend back in the top three, while Florida has an opportunity to dramatically reshape both the SEC and College Football Playoff races with another signature victory.

The rest of the conference schedule is relatively light thanks to six teams being idle, but No. 11 Texas will try to continue climbing back toward the playoff picture when the Mississippi State Bulldogs visit Austin on ESPN at 7:30 p.m. ET. No. 12 Ole Miss hosts the Auburn Tigers on SEC Network at 12:45 p.m. ET, while No. 23 Missouri travels to Arkansas at 7:45 p.m. ET.

Other notable Week 9 games

The weekend gets underway on Thursday night with a pair of intriguing Group of Five games, including the Florida Atlantic Owls visiting the North Texas Mean Green on ESPN at 7:30 p.m. ET and the Troy Trojans heading to Harrisonburg to face the James Madison Dukes on ESPN2 at the same time. Friday then gives us Tulane at Charlotte on ESPN2 before Halloween night concludes with Kent State at Sacramento State.

Saturday’s most compelling non-Power Four matchup might be the annual battle between the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and the Navy Midshipmen, although that game is already included in the Top 25 chart. Beyond that, Army visits Memphis at 8 p.m. ET on ESPNU, while the late-night schedule includes Texas State at No. 20 Boise State on The CW and Oregon State at Fresno State on USA Network.

What channels and streamers carry college football?

With each college conference divvying up their broadcast rights for the highest bidders, it can be incredibly convoluted to try and figure out what channels carry college football, and what streamers carry what channels. So, while our recommendation is to go with DIRECTV, when you are making your streaming selection, make sure that the platform you go with provides access to all of the channels you will need to catch the games you want to see.

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