Getty Ben DiNucci and the James Madison Dukes will take on North Dakota State Saturday. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
The James Madison Dukes (14-1) will take on the North Dakota State Bison (15-0) at Toyota Stadium in the FCS Championship Saturday.
The game is scheduled to start at Noon ET and will be televised on ABC. If you don’t have cable, you can watch the game live on your computer, phone, Roku, Fire TV Stick, Xbox One, PS4 or other streaming device via one of the following cable-free, live-TV streaming services:
AT&T TV Now
AT&T TV Now (formerly DirecTV Now) offers six different channel bundles. They range from 45 to 125 live TV channels, and they all include ABC (live in select markets). The “Plus” and “Max” bundles include a free seven-day trial:
Start Your AT&T TV Now Free Trial
Once signed up for AT&T TV Now, you can watch a live stream of NDSU vs James Madison on your computer via the AT&T TV Now website, or on your phone (Android and iPhone supported), tablet Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Chromecast, or other compatible streaming device via the AT&T TV app. You can also watch the game on the ESPN app if you sign in using your AT&T TV Now credentials.
If you can’t watch live, AT&T TV Now — no matter what channel package you choose — comes with included cloud DVR.
Hulu With Live TV
ABC (live in select markets) is one of 60-plus live TV channels included with Hulu With Live TV, which also comes with Hulu’s extensive on-demand library of TV shows and movies.
Once signed up for Hulu With Live TV, you can watch a live stream of NDSU vs James Madison on your computer via the Hulu website, or on your phone (Android and iPhone supported), tablet, Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Chromecast, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Echo Show, or other streaming device via the Hulu app. You can also watch the game on the ESPN app if you sign in using your Hulu credentials.
If you can’t watch live, Hulu With Live TV comes with 50 hours of cloud DVR space, as well as the option to upgrade to “Enhanced Cloud DVR,” which gives you 200 hours of space and the ability to fast-forward through commercials.
YouTube TV
YouTube TV comes with 70-plus live TV channels, including ABC (live in select markets).
Once signed up, you can then watch NDSU vs James Madison live on your computer via the YouTube website, or on your phone (Android and iPhone supported), tablet, Roku, Apple TV, Chromecast, Xbox One or other compatible streaming device via the YouTube app. You can also watch the game on the ESPN app if you sign in with your YouTube TV credentials.
If you can’t watch live, YouTube TV comes with included DVR.
ESPN Digital Platforms
The game is also on ESPN3, which you can watch on your computer via ESPN.com, or on your phone, tablet, or streaming device via the ESPN app.
You won’t need to log-in to a cable provider to watch this way as long as you are signed in to a participating Internet Service Provider (ISP). However, if you don’t have one of those, you can also sign up for one of the above options and then use your AT&T TV Now, Hulu or YouTube TV credentials to sign in and watch the game on the ESPN digital platforms.
NDSU vs James Madison Preview
This game should be one of the more evenly-matched and entertaining matchups of the New Year so far.
Under first-year head coach Curt Cignetti, the Dukes have lost just once this season, in their first game of the year against the West Virginia Mountaineers. Since that 20-13 defeat, James Madison have won 14 straight, and have managed to be dominant on both sides of the ball.
“It’s really been an easy team to coach, to be quite honest with you,” Cignetti said of his team. “Really haven’t had any problems of any kind, significant issues. They’ve kept their eyes on the bull’s eye. They know what they want … They understand the principles and values of the program, the standards and expectations.”
The Dukes averaged 41.3 points a game this season, while allowing 14.8 on defense. James Madison is No. 1 in total defense in the FCS, allowing 264.7 yards a game, while North Dakota State is No. 1 in scoring defense, allowing just 11.8 points per contest. The Dukes are second in scoring in the FCS, putting up 41.3 points a game, and they have an edge in scoring offense over the Bison, who averaged 37.9 points in their games this season.
The Bison may just be the hotter team, however. They have won a record 36 games in a row, and like JMU, they have been formidable on both sides of the ball. One key matchup in this one will be James Madison’s elite rushing defense going up against an NDSU offense that is gaining 288 yards rushing a game, which is fourth in the FCS.
Both teams also have been the benefactors of excellent quarterback play. For the Dukes, Ben DiNucci has thrown for 3,237 yards, 27 touchdowns and five interceptions, while freshman Trey Lance has thrown for 2,714 yards, 28 touchdowns and no interceptions on the season. Lance also has over 900 yards rushing and 13 touchdowns on the ground, so he has been the epitome of a dual-threat quarterback. His ability to take care of the ball has been key for NDSU this season, and it could be a major factor in this game, as well.