Streaming expert on the best ways to watch Ohio State vs. Ohio

This season, the Buckeyes will play on three different broadcast networks (CBS, Fox, and NBC), at least one cable channel (Big Ten Network), and exclusively on a streaming service (Peacock). There is also a new way for fans to stream what will probably be more than half of the team’s games as well. So, with all of the moving broadcast pieces, it can be tough to keep up with where and how to watch your favorite team.

As cord-cutting has become far more the norm than the exception across the United States, it would not be a surprise if you gave up your cable or a live-streaming service following last season, only to realize that it’s the day of the game and you have no way to watch it.

And I know it can be incredibly confusing to find the best way to watch a game in today’s entertainment landscape. Fortunately for you, I am something of a streaming expert... no really, I write about streaming services for a living. So, I am going to walk you through the best — and cheapest — ways for you to stream today’s game.

Game Date/Time: Saturday, Sept. 13 at 7 p.m. ET
TV: Peacock
Broadcasters: Paul Burmeister, Chris Simms
Betting Line: Ohio State -29.5 | 49.5 o/u

Best (and only) way to watch Ohio State vs. Ohio
Peacock | $10.99 per month

This is one of those annoying weeks where the Buckeyes are playing a streaming-exclusive game. Not only does that mean you have to sign up for another streaming platform if you don’t already have Peacock, but these types of games also come with a higher frequency of latency and buffering issues.

Nonetheless, other than opting for a shady pirate broadcast, Peacock is the only way that you will be able to watch this game. The NBCUniversal streaming service has three different subscription plans, but only the higher two come with access to live sports.

So, if you exclude the $7.99 per month Select plan, your options are the $10.99 monthly Peacock Premium plan and the $16.99 Peacock Premium Plus plan. Straight up Premium is an ad-supported plan, while Premium Plus is ad-free. But keep in mind that this only applies to on-demand viewing. So, there will still be commercials during all sports broadcasts, including the Buckeyes’ game.

Premium Plus also allows you to download content to watch offline, which is a nice feature for when you are traveling.

Best streaming option for the college football season:
Hulu + Live TV | 3-Day Free Trial

Hulu + Live TV is a great option for college football fans. Not only can you take advantage of the three-day free trial, but with the launch of the new ESPN streaming service, you also get a free subscription to that as well, since Hulu + Live TV comes with the complete Disney Bundle. You will be able to access ESPN Select (basically the old ESPN+) in your Hulu platform, and you can switch over to the ESPN app to watch any of the content found on the ESPN Unlimited plan.

Beyond that, Hulu + Live TV has one of the few guaranteed multi-day free trials in the industry and provides nearly all of the major cable channels on the market. The basic package comes with all of the major broadcast network channels — all of which have college football — ABC, CBS, Fox, and NBC. It also has ESPN, ESPN2, Big Ten Network, FS1, FS2, ESPNU, CBS Sports Network, SEC Network, ACC Network, and the NFL Network (yes, they have college games) without having to sign up for any sports add-on plans. However, if you do want more sports, you can add NFL RedZone, MLB StrikeZone, FanDuel TV, the Tennis Channel, and more.

What’s great about Hulu + Live TV is that, in addition to all of the broadcast and cable channels that you could possibly want, it also comes with the Disney Bundle for free. So, you also get the full on-demand Hulu library, Disney+, and the aforementioned ESPN streamer, which also has hundreds of college football games every season.

Currently, a subscription to Hulu + Live TV costs $82.99 per month after your three-day free trial. It’s not cheap, but if you are just looking for ways to watch today’s matchup, it’s a pretty unbeatable deal for a college football fan.

Below is your Ohio State vs. Ohio game thread. Be respectful, be kind, and — as always — keep it classy, BuckeyeNation. If you like GIFs, lay ‘em on us. In all, be good fans, cheer for your teams, be cool to each other (even if somebody else isn’t), and everyone wins. Let’s root the Buckeyes on to a second-straight national title!

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