Getty Howard looks to continue the MEAC's grip on the SWAC-MEAC Challenge.
Eddie Robinson Jr. makes his head coaching debut with Alabama State against Howard on Saturday, August 27.
The game (7 p.m. ET start time) will be televised on ESPN, but if you don’t have cable, you can watch a live stream on FuboTV or DirecTV Stream, which both come with a free trial.
Those are the two best live stream options if you’re cutting cable, but there are also some other alternatives, so here’s a full guide on the different ways to watch Howard vs Alabama State streaming live online:
Note: Heavy may earn an affiliate commission if you sign up via a link on this page
DirecTV Stream
DirecTV Stream has four different channel packages: “Entertainment,” “Choice,” “Ultimate” and “Premier.” ESPN is included in every one, and you can pick any package and any add-on you want with your free five-day trial:
Once signed up for DirecTV Stream, you can watch Howard vs Alabama State live on the DirecTV Stream app or DirecTV Stream website.
Compatible devices for the DirecTV Stream app include Roku, Roku TV, Amazon Fire TV or Fire Stick, Apple TV, Chromecast, Samsung TV, any device with Android TV (such as a Sony TV or Nvidia Shield), iPhone, Android phone, iPad or Android tablet.
You can also watch the game live on the ESPN app or ESPN.com. You’ll need to sign in to a cable provider to watch this way, but you can use your DirecTV Stream credentials to do that.
FuboTV
You can watch a live stream of ESPN and 100-plus other live TV channels on FuboTV, which comes with a free seven-day trial:
Once signed up for FuboTV, you can watch Howard vs Alabama State live on the FuboTV app or FuboTV website.
Compatible devices for the FuboTV app include Roku, Roku TV, Amazon Fire TV or Fire Stick, Apple TV, Chromecast, Xbox One or Series X/S, Samsung TV, LG TV, any device with Android TV (such as a Sony TV or Nvidia Shield), iPhone, Android phone, iPad or Android tablet.
You can also watch the game live on the ESPN app or ESPN.com. You’ll need to sign in to a cable provider to watch this way, but you can use your Fubo credentials to do that.
Sling TV
You can watch a live stream of ESPN and 40-plus other live TV channels via Sling TV’s “Sling Orange” bundle. This option doesn’t include a free trial, but it’s the cheapest long-term streaming service with the ESPN channels, and you can your first month for half off:
Once signed up for Sling TV, you can watch Howard vs Alabama State live on the Sling TV app or Sling TV website.
Compatible devices for the Sling TV app include Roku, Roku TV, Amazon Fire TV or Fire Stick, Apple TV, Chromecast, Xbox One or Series X/S, Samsung TV, LG TV, any device with Android TV (such as a Sony TV or Nvidia Shield), airTV Mini, Oculus, Portal, iPhone, Android phone, iPad or Android tablet.
You can also watch the game live on the ESPN app or ESPN.com. You’ll need to sign in to a cable provider to watch this way, but you can use your Sling credentials to do that.
Hulu With Live TV
You can watch a live stream of ESPN and 65+ other TV channels via Hulu With Live TV, which now also includes access to both ESPN+ and Disney+ at no added cost:
Once signed up for Hulu With Live TV, you can watch Howard vs Alabama State live on the Hulu app or Hulu website.
Compatible devices for the Hulu app include Roku, Roku TV, Amazon Fire TV or Fire Stick, Apple TV, Chromecast, Xbox One or Series X/S, PlayStation 4 or 5, Nintendo Switch, Samsung TV, LG TV, any device with Android TV (such as a Sony TV or Nvidia Shield), iPhone, Android phone, iPad or Android tablet.
You can also watch the game live on the ESPN app or ESPN.com. You’ll need to sign in to a cable provider to watch this way, but you can use your Hulu credentials to do that.
Vidgo
You can watch a live stream of ESPN and 65+ other TV channels on Vidgo, which does not come with a free trial:
Once signed up for Vidgo, you can watch Howard vs Alabama State live on the Vidgo app or Vidgo website.
Compatible devices for the Vidgo app include Roku, Roku TV, Amazon Fire TV, or Firestick, Apple TV, Chromecast, any device with Android TV (such as a Sony TV or Nvidia Shield), iPhone, Android phone, iPad, or Android tablet.
You can also watch the game live on the ESPN app or ESPN.com. You’ll need to sign in to a cable provider to watch this way, but you can use your Vidgo credentials to do that.
Howard vs Alabama State Preview
Eddie Robinson Jr. coaches his first game for Alabama State when the Hornets meet the Howard Bison in the MEAC-SWAC Challenge on Saturday in Atlanta.
Robinson Jr. who isn’t related to the legendary late Grambling State head coach Eddie Robinson, looks to carve out his own legacy at Alabama State. Robinson Jr. played for the Hornets in college before his NFL career with the Tennessee Titans.
“Many people think I’m related to Eddie Robinson, but I’m not. But I did meet him in college. He’s one of the reasons why I coach today,” Robinson Jr. said via Andscape’s Jaicee Christian.
“We met after they just whipped us at Grambling. He and [Alabama State] Coach [Houston] Markham, my coach at the time, were great friends. When Eddie Robinson and I talked, we talked a little about where I was from and why I chose to play football. I knew then he would be my inspiration,” Robinson Jr. added.
Robinson Jr. will look to help ASU improve on a 5-6 record for 2021. The Hornets also look to end the MEAC’s grip on the SWAC-MEAC Challenge. Howard comes off of a 3-8 season. The MEAC is 11-4 against the SWAC in the annual game.
“It puts light on HBCU football, and that’s a game that we are used to playing,” Scott told Andscape about the SWAC-MEAC Challenge. “No matter if it’s SWAC or MEAC, we are coming to play.”
Howard senior quarterback Quinton Williams will lead the Bison offense again. Williams has experienced skill players to work with in wide receiver Antoine Murray and running backs Ian Wheeler and Jaret Hunter. Defensively, the Bison have a strong pass rusher in defensive lineman Darren Brokenburr and tough defensive back in Kenny Gallop Jr.
Alabama State has a new quarterback in Auburn transfer Dematrius Davis, and he can hand the ball off to an experienced running back in Jacory Merritt. On defense, the Hornets have a dangerous secondary with safety Irshaad Davis and cornerbacks Keenan Issac and Naytron Culpepper.
“To get a guy of his caliber to commit to us and still have four years to play, that’s huge,” Robinson said via the Montgomery Advertiser’s Jacob Shames. “Everybody’s excited about him. Now is his opportunity to do what he does best — just play football and do the things we ask of him.”