Football on TV

As the new season approaches, we're here to give you a quick rundown on where you might find your game on television.  When in doubt, start with ESPN, and they will probably be able to direct you to the right place.

In the lists below, when we refer to ESPN, we're referring to the entire company, which means the games could show up on ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPNews, or ABC, or online only on ESPN3.  ESPN also controls the SEC Network, but that will usually get its own mention.  They also have several regional broadcasts for various conferences (usually branded with "conference name" Network).

Fox Sports has certainly expanded in the last year, with the launch of Fox Sports 1 and Fox Sports 2.  These channels are also supplemented by coverage on the main Fox network, and various regional channels.  Fox also has a minority interest in the Big Ten Network.

CBS and NBC also have their own cable sports channels, and NBC even has a regional presence through Comcast SportsNet.

Of course, all rights are based on the conference of the home team.

ACC
The ACC has the easiest TV deal.  ESPN controls everything.  They sublicense one or two games to Raycom for the 12:30 ACC Network syndicated broadcast.  There is also a late afternoon game that is produced by Fox Sports for regional sports channels (which could be Fox or Comcast).

SEC
CBS gets the first choice of SEC games, but ESPN controls everything else.  The SEC Network will have three games each Saturday.  The syndicated SEC TV has been cancelled.

Big Ten
ESPN and the Big Ten Network show all regular season games.  Fox has the rights to the championship game.

Big 12
Split between ESPN and Fox.  Texas also has the Longhorn Network.

Pac-12
Split between ESPN, Fox, and the Pac-12 Network.  The championship game alternates between ESPN and Fox, and should be on Fox this year.

Independents
Notre Dame is on NBC.  BYU is with ESPN and their own BYU channel.  Army and Navy are with CBS Sports.

Conference USA
Split between CBS and Fox, mostly staying on the cable channels.

Mountain West
Split between CBS and ESPN.

Most other conferences and teams are with ESPN.  Some FCS conferences have deals with NBCSN, which can expand to Comcast SportsNet.

All bowl games are on an ESPN channel, except for the Sun Bowl on CBS.

For an idea of who you might be listening to during ESPN broadcasts, click here.