![Will Anderson Jr.](https://heavy.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/GettyImages-1357212170-e1662134943711.jpg?quality=65&strip=all&w=780)
Getty Alabama will be expected to brush aside Utah State.
Nick Saban’s quest to make amends for losing out to Georgia in last season’s national championship begins when Alabama hosts Utah State on Saturday. The Crimson Tide may have finished a game short last season, but this roster is still loaded on both sides of the ball.
It starts with quarterback Bryce Young, the reigning Heisman Trophy winner who should have little trouble lighting up the scoreboard against the Aggies. The story will be a little different for the visitors to Tuscaloosa, who will run into a still-formidable defense boasting NFL-ready talents like edge-rusher Will Anderson Jr. and nose tackle DJ Dale.
The game (7:30 p.m. ET start time) will be televised on SEC Network, but if you don’t have cable, you can watch a live stream on FuboTV or DirecTV Stream, which both include SEC Network and 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 Ball State vs Tennessee streaming live online:
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FuboTV
You can watch a live stream of SEC Network and 100-plus other live TV channels on FuboTV. You’ll need both the main channel package and the “Sports Plus” add-on, both of which can be included with your free seven-day trial:
Once signed up for FuboTV, you can watch Ball State vs Tennessee 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.
DirecTV Stream
DirecTV Stream has four different channel packages: “Entertainment,” “Choice,” “Ultimate” and “Premier.” SEC Network is included in “Choice” and up, but 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 Ball State vs Tennessee 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.
Sling TV
You can watch a live stream of SEC Network and 45-plus other live TV channels via Sling TV’s “Sling Orange + Sports Extra” bundle. This option doesn’t include a free trial, but it’s the cheapest long-term streaming service with SEC Network, and you can get your first month half off:
Once signed up for Sling TV, you can watch Ball State vs Tennessee 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 SEC Network and 65+ other TV channels via Hulu With Live TV, which now also includes both ESPN+ and Disney+ at no added cost:
Once signed up for Hulu With Live TV, you can watch Ball State vs Tennessee 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 SEC Network and 65+ other TV channels on Vidgo, which does not come with a free trial:
Once signed up for Vidgo, you can watch Ball State vs Tennessee 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.
Alabama vs Utah State Preview
You’ve got to feel for Utah State quarterback Logan Bonner. He threw for 3,628 yards in 2021 while forming a prolific connection with Deven Thompkins, but Banner shouldn’t count on having a lot of time in the pocket at the Bryant-Denny Stadium.
It’s the reality for most quarterbacks trying to bide their time against Anderson, Dallas Turner and Byron Young. Anderson is the one member of the group offenses need specific gameplans to stop, something few teams managed last season, a fact illustrated by highlights from Mike Rittleman of The College Gridiron Showcase:
Bonner’s ability to beat the rush will be tested, but the sterner examination will be of an Aggies’ run defense gashed by Connecticut a week ago. The Huskies ran for 245 yards on 39 attempts, an average of 6.3 yards a carry, per ESPN.
That’s good news for Jahmyr Gibbs, this year’s star in the backfield. A transfer from Georgia Tech, Gibbs is described by Peter Fiutak of College Football News as a “true home run hitter” who can “rip off yards in chunks.”
Saban should keep the ball on the ground, but offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien may be reluctant to shut down Young’s talents for too long. O’Brien’s reluctance would be understandable after a banner campaign in which Young threw for an astonishing 4,872 yards and 47 touchdowns.
There’s not much room for improvement in Young’s game, but ESPN’s Jordan Reid would like to see the 6’0″ passer “climbing vertically in the pocket” more often.
Fooling Young won’t be easy, but the Aggies may try to use Hunter Reynolds after the versatile safety made six tackles and snared a pick against UConn. His ability to impact both phases of an offense could help Utah State disguise pre-snap looks and attempt to slow down Young’s decision-making process.
Frankly, it will take a big game from Reynolds, Bonner and the rest for the Aggies to even keep pace with Alabama. Saban’s team already looks primed with enough marquee names to go one better this season.
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How to Watch Alabama vs Utah State Game Online for Free