Notre Dame quarterback Ian Book
Ian Book is the real deal, and after leading the No. 6 ranked Notre Dame Fighting Irish (5-0) to consecutive victories since replacing Brandon Wimbush, he gets ready for his toughest test to date, a road trip to Blacksburg to face the No. 24 Virginia Tech Hokies (4-1) on Saturday night.
The game is scheduled to start at 8 p.m. ET and will be broadcast nationally on ABC. If you don’t have cable or can’t get to a TV, you can still watch a live stream of the game (or DVR it) on your computer, phone or streaming device by signing up for one of the following cable-free, live-TV streaming services:
In addition to a Netflix-like on-demand streaming library, Hulu also offers a bundle of 50-plus live TV channels, including ABC (live in select markets, but even if it isn’t included in your market, you’ll be able to watch the game on the ESPN digital platforms with your Hulu credentials).
You can sign up for “Hulu with Live TV” right here, and if ABC is live in your market, you can then watch a live stream of the game on your computer via the Hulu website, or on your phone, tablet or streaming device via the Hulu app. If ABC isn’t live in your market, scroll down to the “ESPN Platforms” section to see where you can watch.
If you can’t watch live, “Hulu with Live TV” also comes with 50 hours of Cloud DVR storage (with the ability to upgrade to “Enhanced Cloud DVR,” which gives you 200 hours of DVR space and the ability to fast forward through commercials).
Although ABC isn’t technically part of the Sling TV package, you can sign up for a free 7-day trial of the “Sling Orange” bundle, which includes ESPN3, and you’ll then be able to watch a live stream of the game on the ESPN digital platforms (see next section).
ESPN Platforms
You can watch a live stream of the game on your computer via ESPN.com, or on your phone, tablet or streaming device via the ESPN app. Games on ABC (labeled as ESPN3) can be watched for free without cable if you have a participating internet service provider (ISP), but even if you don’t have a participating ISP, you can still sign use your Hulu or Sling TV (or other cable TV) credentials to sign in and watch the game on the ESPN digital platforms.
Preview
Book has been outstanding the past two weeks against Wake Forest and Stanford, but the win last week against the Cardinal in South Bend was truly a star-making moment. Brain Shaw and the Pac-12 powerhouse came rolling in as the No. 7 team in the nation. Book completed 24 of 33 passes for 278 yards and four touchdowns, and added 47 yards on the ground to complement running back Dexter Williams and his 161 yards (one touchdown).
Book outplayed K.J. Costello, who struggled against the Fighting Irish defense. Costello went 15-for-27 for 174 yards, with one touchdown and one interception.
Head coach Brian Kelly told reporters that he recognizes the importance of Book’s play and how it has given the team an overall boost.
“The offense is complementing the defense. The defense is complementing the offense. And certainly the special teams is part of that. That certainly wasn’t the case early in the year. So when each unit is complementing each other very wall, you’re playing usually very good football.”
That chapter is now closed, and a new one opens. Notre Dame’s two biggest wins this season (Michigan, 24-17, and Stanford, 38-17) came at home. Now, the Hokies await.
Most see Virginia Tech and still have not been able to shake that brutal letdown two weeks ago to Old Dominion. Despite that loss, Virginia Tech has looked strong in wins against Florida State and Duke.
Junior quarterback Ryan Willis will start his second consecutive game replacing the injured sophomore Josh Jackson. Last week, Ellis completed 17 of 27 passes for 332 yards and three touchdowns against the Blue Devils, who the Hokies ultimately knocked out of the AP Poll, in dominant fashion.