Ty Simpson is set to start as Alabama’s quarterback this season. Their first game, against Florida State, is Saturday. (Erick W. Rasco/Sports Illustrated via Getty Images)
(Erick W. Rasco via Getty Images)
Kalen DeBoer begins his second season as Alabama’s head coach, and he’s installed a new quarterback ahead of Week 1. Longtime backup Ty Simpson will take over the starting spot, replacing Jalen Milroe who was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks this year. The team will open their season on the road when they head to Tallahassee to play the Florida State Seminoles on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET. The game will air on ABC and streams on ESPN’s new streaming service.
Here’s how to watch the Alabama vs. Florida State Week 1 game and what to know about how to watch the entire NCAAF season.
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Date: Saturday, August 30
Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
TV Channel: ABC
Streaming: ESPN, DirecTV, Fubo and more
Where to watch the Alabama vs. Florida State game on TV:
You can watch coverage of this week’s Alabama vs. Florida State game starting at 3:30 p.m. ET on ABC.
Where to watch the Alabama vs. Florida State game without cable:
You can tune into the Alabama vs. Florida State game on ABC, which is carried by several platforms, including Fubo TV and DirecTV. As part of ESPN on ABC, the game will also be available to stream on ESPN’s newly revamped streaming service.
ESPN’s revamped streaming platform offers thousands of exclusive live events, original studio shows and acclaimed series that air across ESPN’s suite of 7 linear channels, as well as exclusive content on ESPN+, ABC on ESPN, SEC+, ACCNX and more. The new tier costs $29.99/month or $299.99/year.
ESPN select (formerly known as ESPN+) allows subscribers to access exclusive content only available on the app, and an extensive archive of on-demand content (including the entire 30 For 30 library, select ESPN Films, game replays and more). Whether you purchase a standalone plan, add-on or Disney Bundle plan, the service provides access to thousands of sports events for $11.99/month or $119.99/year.
For today’s game, you’ll need ESPN unlimited (or access to ABC from elsewhere)
DirecTV has a great deal for subscribers who use a Gemini device with their plan — right now, all DIRECTV Signature Pack customers with a Gemini device will get Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN Unlimited included in their subscription at no additional cost. DirecTV packages start at $49.99 for your first month, and $85/month after.
The new Disney+, Hulu, ESPN bundle is currently available for a promotional rate of $29.99/month for a limited time, and will eventually cost $35.99/month after the promotional rate expires, so this offer through DirecTV provides considerable savings.
DirecTV’s Gemini streaming device connects viewers to 4K HD DirecTV programming and loads of streaming apps, including Disney+, ESPN, Hulu, Netflix, Max, Prime Video and more — all from within the DirecTV platform. Gemini devices cost around $10/month on top of your DirecTV Signature package subscription.
Another great benefit to note, even if you don’t get the Gemini device, every signature tier of DirecTV currently comes with ESPN unlimited included, totally free!
Fubo TV gives you access to ESPN, Fox, ABC, CBS, NFL Network, and 100+ more live channels. At $80/month, the live TV streaming service is definitely a big investment for football fans but it’s one of the most comprehensive ways to catch tons of NCAA games this season, and still leaves you with major savings compared to a traditional cable package. Fubo subscribers also get 1000 hours of cloud DVR storage.
Right now the platform is offering a free 7-day trial so you can check out everything the platform has to offer, risk-free.
NCAAF Week 1 schedule:
Thursday, Aug. 28
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Boise State at South Florida: 5:30 p.m. ET (ESPN)
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Delaware State at Delaware: 7 p.m. ET (ESPN+)
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Nebraska vs. Cincinnati (in Kansas City, Missouri): 9 p.m. ET (ESPN)
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Towson at Norfolk State: Time TBA (ESPN+)
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Friday, Aug. 29
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Duke’s Mayo Classic: Appalachian State vs. Charlotte (at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina): 7 p.m. ET (ESPNU)
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Auburn at Baylor: 8 p.m. ET (Fox)
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Georgia Tech at Colorado: 8 p.m. ET (ESPN)
Saturday, Aug. 30
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Aflac Kickoff Game: Syracuse vs. Tennessee (in Atlanta, GA): 12 p.m. ET (ABC)
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Texas at Ohio State: 12 p.m. ET (Fox)
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Duquesne at Pitt: 12 p.m. ET (ACC Network)
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Alabama at Florida State: 3:30 p.m. ET (ABC)
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Montana State at Oregon: 4 p.m. ET (Big Ten Network)
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LSU at Clemson: 7:30 p.m. ET (ABC)
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North Carolina A&T at Tennessee State: Time TBA (ESPN+)
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Eastern Washington at UIW: Time TBA (ESPN+)
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Hampton at Jackson State: Time/TV TBA
Sunday, Aug. 31
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Aflac Kickoff Game: South Carolina vs. Virginia Tech (in Atlanta, GA): 3 p.m. ET (ESPN)
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Notre Dame at Miami (FL): 7:30 p.m. ET (ABC)
Monday, Sept. 2
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TCU at North Carolina: 8 p.m. ET (ESPN)
How to watch NCAAF games in 2025:
NCAA football games will air across ESPN, ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC and the college conference networks. If you don’t have cable, it can be tricky to keep up with your favorite team. Here’s what we recommend to stream NCAA football in 2025.
