The road to the College Football Playoff is on! The 2023 NCAA college football season officially kicks off Saturday, August 26, amid the end of an era. Realignment is drastically altering the sport as we know it, and this season marks the final year before the playoff expands from four teams to twelve. Southern California quarterback Caleb Williams hopes to become only the second player in history to win consecutive Heisman Trophy awards, though he’ll face stiff competition from the likes of LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels, North Carolina signal-caller Drake Maye, and Ohio State receiver Marvin Harrison Jr.
Although Williams and Harrison are already projected to go atop the 2024 NFL Draft, they still have unfinished business at the college level. Can either help their teams end Georgia’s reign atop the sport, or are the Bulldogs destined to win their third consecutive national championship?
Even if you can’t make it to your alma mater’s stadium this season, ExpressVPN has you covered on how to safely and securely stream every NCAA college football game throughout the 2023 season.
| Start | August 26, 2023 |
| Number of teams | 133 |
| Bowl games | 43 |
| Streaming services | ESPN+, YouTube TV, Fubo, DirecTV Stream, Hulu + Live TV, Sling TV, Paramount Plus, Peacock |
How to watch 2023 college football games with a VPN
No matter your allegiance, we know you want to watch your team in blazing-fast HD, free of buffering or throttling from your ISP, school, or office network. To stream college football securely with ExpressVPN, just follow these easy steps:
- Get ExpressVPN.
- Connect to a U.S. server location.
- Head to your preferred streaming platform, such as Sling TV, Hulu, Fubo, YouTube TV, ESPN+, or DirecTV Stream.
- Tune in to the action!
While you can watch college football all season long by connecting to a VPN server location in a country other than your own, doing so may violate copyright or infringe upon your streaming service’s Terms of Use and the ExpressVPN Terms of Service. As a security and privacy tool, ExpressVPN is designed so that no one can see or control what you do when connected to our VPN service—not even us. So you are responsible for verifying that your use complies with all relevant terms and laws.
Why do you need a VPN to watch college football online?
Early morning tailgates and singing the fight song aren’t the only ways to root on your favorite team during the 2023 college football season. You’ll want to add ExpressVPN to your football-viewing palate this summer. Not only does ExpressVPN offer servers in 94 countries across the globe, all of which are optimized for speed and security, but you can stream every college football game live on computers, smartphones, and even smart TVs and gaming consoles. You can have up to eight simultaneous connections, allowing you to watch every game, including the College Football Playoff, in blazing-fast HD.
Best VPN for watching college football games in 2023
ExpressVPN is the best VPN for safely and securely streaming the 2023 college football season. Our high-speed servers allow you to enjoy every touchdown without missing a single second regardless of your device. ExpressVPN offers easy-to-use apps for Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS, as well as platforms that other VPN companies may not support, like Linux, Android TV, Amazon Fire TV, and routers, plus browser extensions for Chrome, Firefox, and Edge. If you need help along the way, ExpressVPN offers 24/7 live chat support and a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee!
Key Features:
- High-speed servers in 94 countries across the globe, all optimized for speed and security
- Up to 8 simultaneous connections
- 5-star customer service with 24/7 live chat support
- Strict privacy policy: No activity logs and no connection logs
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Best ways to watch college football without cable for all NCAA conferences
An ExpressVPN subscription allows you to safely and securely stream every college football game even if you don’t have cable. Use our complete guide below to figure out which streaming service is best for you this season!
Note: The channels listed below are all available in the streaming services basic/cheapest package. Some services may offer extra channels in pricier tiers.
Stream college football games on services with free trials
YouTube TV
Price: 73 USD/month and up
Channels: ABC, CBS, CBS Sports Network, ESPN, ESPN 2, ESPNews, Fox, FS1, FS2, NBC, NFL Network, SEC Network, and The CW
Country: U.S.
YouTube TV offers a variety of channels that carry college football games and the subscription costs 73 USD/month. You may need to submit a U.S. zip code (e.g., 10022, 48104, etc.), but it accepts a wide array of payment options. If you don’t feel like committing to YouTube TV, use the free trial.
Note: You may need a valid U.S. credit/debit card or PayPal to subscribe to YouTube TV. You can still subscribe to YouTube TV via Google Play, even if you don’t have a U.S. credit/debit card.
Want it on the big screen? Learn about all the ways to get ExpressVPN on your TV.
Fubo
Price: 75 USD/month
Channels: ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, CBS, CBS Sports Network, ESPN, ESPN 2, Fox, FS1, FS2, NBC, NFL Network, Pac-12 Network, SEC Network, and The CW
Country: U.S.
How about another way to catch NCAA college football games? Use the seven-day free trial on Fubo to watch your favorite schools live, including nationally televised games on ABC, NBC, and ESPN.
Note: You will need a U.S. credit/debit card to subscribe. The billing address used may determine which local channels are available, and you may be unable to change your location.
Watching on a computer? For the best streaming experience, be sure to use the ExpressVPN browser extension for Chrome, Firefox, or Edge.
Paramount+
Price: 6 USD/month
Channels: CBS
Paramount Plus streams college football games airing on CBS and CBS Sports Network, including nationally-televised SEC and Big 10 showdowns. If you don’t feel like committing to Paramount+ or only want to watch a specific game, there’s a seven-day free trial.
DirecTV Stream
Price: 65 USD/month and up
Channels: ABC, CBS, CBS Sports Network, ESPN, ESPN 2, Fox, FS1, NBC, and The CW
DirecTV Stream is on the pricier side but if you prefer a cord-cutting service over an additional streaming app, it’s a great option. DirecTV’s lowest package starts at 65 USD/month (before jumping to its normal price of 75 USD/month after three months), and the service offers a five-day free trial.
Streaming options for select college football games
Several streaming services offer exclusive college football coverage throughout the 2023 season, though some don’t offer free trials. Learn more about those options below.
ESPN+
Price: 10 USD/month
ESPN+ will carry college football at all levels, from the SEC and Big 12 to Division II and Division III. However, it is important to note there are two types of college football games that air on ESPN+.
ESPN+ simulcasts: These games will air on other ESPN platforms, including ESPN, ESPN 2, and ABC, and can be streamed via simulcast on ESPN+. Bowl games and the College Football Playoff fall into this category, as do games airing on conference-specific networks such as the ACC Network and SEC Network. Note that proof of subscription to another service, such as YouTube TV or Fubo, may be required to stream these games.
ESPN+ exclusives: These games, as implied, will air exclusively on ESPN+. For example, Appalachian State will host Gardner-Webb on Saturday, September 3, and ESPN+ is the only way you can watch this game on TV. You won’t need proof of subscription to another service to watch ESPN+ exclusives.
Reminder: ESPN+ does not offer a free trial.
Peacock
Price: 6 USD/month
Peacock will stream every college football game airing on NBC throughout the 2023 season. Additionally, Peacock will offer exclusive broadcasts of 10 college football games, including the October 14 showdown between Notre Dame and Southern California. Peacock costs 6 USD/month.
Other ways to watch college football games
Hulu + Live TV
Price: 70 USD/month and up
Channels: ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, CBS, ESPN, ESPN 2, ESPNews, ESPN U, Fox, FS1, FS2, NBC, NFL Network, and The CW
Country: U.S.
Hulu+Live TV is another way to catch live college football games, although it doesn’t come with a free trial. Games shown are subject to regional availability and blackout restrictions. You may need to supply a valid U.S. postal code (e.g., 10012, 48104) and credit card.
Watching on a computer? For the best streaming experience, be sure to use the ExpressVPN browser extension for Chrome, Firefox, or Edge.
Sling TV
Price: Varies
Channels: ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, ESPN, ESPN 2, ESPN 3, ESPNews, ESPN U, Fox, FS1, FS2, NBC, NFL Network, Pac-12 Network, and the SEC Network
Sling TV provides access to most channels airing college football games except for CBS. ABC is also available in select markets. Please note that Sling no longer offers a free trial.
Want it on the big screen? Learn about all the ways to get ExpressVPN on your TV.
2024 College Football National Championship odds
Will Georgia win the national championship for the third straight season? Here are the latest odds according to the FanDuel Sportsbook.
| Team | Odds |
| Georgia | +200 |
| Michigan | +400 |
| Ohio State | +1000 |
| Florida State | +1000 |
| Texas | +1000 |
| Southern California | +1400 |
| Notre Dame | +1500 |
| Penn State | +1600 |
| Washington | +2500 |
| Oregon | +2500 |
| Oklahoma | +3500 |
| LSU | +4000 |
| Miami | +6000 |
| Clemson | +6000 |
| Alabama | +6000 |
College football conference channels
Which channels and streaming services will air your favorite conference’s games in 2023? Find out with our complete guide.
| Conference | Channels |
| American Athletic Conference (AAC) | ABC, ESPN, ESPN 2, ESPN U, ESPN+ |
| Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) | ABC, ACC Network, ACC Network Extra, ESPN, ESPN 2, ESPN U, ESPN+, The CW |
| Big 12 | ABC, ESPN, ESPN 2, ESPN U, ESPN+, Fox, FS1, Longhorn Network (Texas only) |
| Big Ten | Big Ten Network, CBS, Fox, FS1, NBC, Peacock |
| Conference USA | CBS Sports Network, ESPN, ESPN 2, ESPN U, ESPN+ |
| FBS independents | CBS Sports Network, ESPN, ESPN+, NBC, Peacock |
| Mid-American Conference (MAC) | CBS Sports Network, ESPN, ESPN 2, ESPN U, ESPN+ |
| Mountain West Conference (MW) | CBS, CBS Sports Network, Fox, FS1 |
| Pac-12 Conference | ABC, ESPN, ESPN 2, ESPN U, ESPN+, Fox, FS1, Pac-12 Network |
| Southeastern Conference (SEC) | CBS, ESPN, ESPN 2, ESPN U, ESPN+, SEC Network, SEC+ |
| Sun Belt Conference | ABC, ESPN, ESPN 2, ESPN U, ESPN+ |
2023–2024 NCAA college football schedule
How will your favorite team fare this week? You can find a weekly guide to the Top 25 schedule below. All games take place on Saturday, September 30, unless noted otherwise. Additionally, you can find the complete weekly NCAA football schedule here.
| Team | Week 5 opponent | Time | Channel |
| No. 1 Georgia (4-0) | at Auburn | 3:30 p.m. ET / 8:30 p.m. BST | CBS, Paramount Plus |
| No. 2 Michigan (4-0) | at Nebraska | 3:30 p.m. ET / 8:30 p.m. BST | Fox |
| No. 3 Texas (4-0) | No. 24 Kansas | 3:30 p.m. ET / 8:30 p.m. BST | ABC, ESPN 3, ESPN+ |
| No. 4 Ohio State (4-0) | BYE (next game is Saturday, October 7, vs. Maryland) | N/A | N/A |
| No. 5 Florida State (4-0) | BYE (next game is Saturday, October 7, vs. Virginia Tech) | N/A | N/A |
| No. 6 Penn State (4-0) | at Northwestern | 12 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. BST | Big Ten Network |
| No. 7 Washington (4-0) | at Arizona | 10 p.m. ET / 3 a.m. BST | Pac-12 Network |
| No. 8 Southern California (4-0) | at Colorado | 12 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. BST | Fox |
| No. 9 Oregon (4-0) | at Stanford | 6:30 p.m. ET / 11:30 p.m. BST | Pac-12 Network |
| No. 10 Utah (4-0) | at No. 19 Oregon State (game on Friday, September 29) | 9 p.m. ET / 2 a.m. BST | FS1 |
| No. 11 Notre Dame (3-1) | at No. 17 Duke | 7:30 p.m. ET / 12:30 a.m. BST | ABC, ESPN 3, ESPN+ |
| No. 12 Alabama (3-1) | at Mississippi State | 9 p.m. ET / 2 a.m. BST | ESPN, ESPN+ |
| No. 13 LSU (3-1) | at No. 20 Ole Miss | 6 p.m. ET / 11 p.m. BST | ESPN, ESPN+ |
| No. 14 Oklahoma (4-0) | Iowa State | 7 p.m. ET / 12 a.m. BST | FS1 |
| No. 15 North Carolina (4-0) | BYE (next game is Saturday, October 7, vs. Syracuse) | 3:30 p.m. ET / 8:30 p.m. BST | CBS, Paramount Plus |
| No. 16 Washington State (4-0) | BYE (next game is Saturday, October 7, at UCLA) | N/A | N/A |
| No. 17 Duke (4-0) | No. 11 Notre Dame | 7:30 p.m. ET / 12:30 a.m. BST | ABC, ESPN 3, ESPN+ |
| No. 18 Miami (4-0) | BYE (next game is Saturday, October 7, vs. Georgia Tech) | N/A | N/A |
| No. 19 Oregon State (3-1) | at No. 10 Utah (game on Friday, September 29) | 9 p.m. ET / 2 a.m. BST | FS1 |
| No. 20 Ole Miss (3-0) | No. 13 LSU | 6 p.m. ET / 11 p.m. BST | ESPN, ESPN+ |
| No. 21 Tennessee (3-1) | South Carolina | 7:30 p.m. ET / 12:30 a.m. BST | SEC Network, ESPN+ |
| No. 22 Florida (3-1) | at Kentucky | 12 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. BST | ESPN, ESPN+ |
| No. 23 Missouri (4-0) | at Vanderbilt | 4 p.m. ET / 9 p.m. BST | SEC Network, ESPN+ |
| No. 24 Kansas (4-0) | at No. 3 Texas | 3:30 p.m. ET / 8:30 p.m. BST | ABC, ESPN 3, ESPN+ |
| No. 25 Fresno State (4-0) | Nevada | 10:30 p.m. ET / 3:30 a.m. BST | FS1 |
Top 25 college football rankings
The Associated Press Top 25 releases each Sunday during the college football season. Here is the latest AP Top 25.
| Ranking | Team |
| 1. | Georgia (4-0) [55 first-place votes] |
| 2. | Michigan (4-0) [one first-place vote] |
| 3. | Texas (4-0) [two first-place votes] |
| 4. | Ohio State (4-0) [one first-place vote] |
| 5. | Florida State (4-0) [three first-place votes] |
| 6. | Penn State (4-0) |
| 7. | Washington (4-0) [one first-place vote] |
| 8. | Southern California (4-0) |
| 9. | Oregon (4-0) |
| 10. | Utah (4-0) |
| 11. | Notre Dame (3-1) |
| 12. | Alabama (3-1) |
| 13. | LSU (3-1) |
| 14. | Oklahoma (4-0) |
| 15. | North Carolina (4-0) |
| 16. | Washington State (4-0) |
| 17. | Duke (4-0) |
| 18. | Miami (4-0) |
| 19. | Oregon State (3-1) |
| 20. | Ole Miss (3-0) |
| 21. | Tennessee (3-1) |
| 22. | Florida (3-1) |
| 23. | Missouri (4-0) |
| 24. | Kansas (4-0) |
| 25. | Fresno State (4-0) |
The following teams also received votes:Kansas State (57), Kentucky (41), Colorado (32), Louisville (32), UCLA (28), Maryland (20), TCU (17), Tulane (11), Syracuse (8), Wisconsin (6), Air Force (6), Clemson (5), Texas A&M (5).
2023 College Football Playoff rankings
Beginning in November, the College Football Playoff releases its own Top 25 each Tuesday. Unlike the other polls, a committee meets and ranks the best teams through December. Although the CFP Rankings typically feature the same teams as the AP Top 25 and Coaches Poll, the order below determines which teams will compete in the Rose Bowl and Sugar Bowl on January 1, 2024.
College Football Playoff rankings will be announced later this year.
2023 Heisman Trophy winner odds
Will USC quarterback Caleb Williams become the first player since former Ohio State running back Archie Griffin to win the Heisman Trophy twice? Here are the latest odds according to the FanDuel Sportsbook.
| Player | Odds |
| Michael Penix Jr., QB, Washington | +380 |
| Caleb Williams, QB, Southern California | +420 |
| Quinn Ewers, QB, Texas | +500 |
| Bo Nix, QB, Oregon | +1000 |
| Jordan Travis, QB, Florida State | +1200 |
| Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU | +1600 |
| Dillon Gabriel, QB, Oklahoma | +2000 |
| Sam Hartman, QB, Notre Dame | +2200 |
| Kyle McCord, QB, Ohio State | +3000 |
| Tyler Van Dyke, QB, Miami | +3000 |
| Cameron Ward, QB, Washington State | +3300 |
| J.J. McCarthy. QB, Michigan | +3500 |
| Drew Allar, QB, Penn State | +4000 |
| Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina | +4000 |
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FAQ: About NCAA College Football
What is the difference between NFL football and NCAA football?
The NFL, or the National Football League, refers to the largest North American professional football league. NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) football is college football.
What is the first college football game of the 2022 season?
Northwestern defeated Nebraska, 31-28, in the first game of the 2022 college football season.
Why is there a week 0 in college football?
Several teams played on Week Zero for unique schedule reasons, including Northwestern and Nebraska’s overseas game in Dublin. Recent conference re-alignment forced four Conference USA teams to alter their schedules and play in Week Zero.
Who won the college football championship in 2021?
The Georgia Bulldogs defeated the Alabama Crimson Tide in the 2021-22 National Championship Game.
