Getty Images KJ Jefferson
The opening weekend of the college football season is loaded with big-time showdowns. Perhaps one of the most underrated of these such showdowns is a Top-25 battle between No. 23 Cincinnati and No. 19 Arkansas on Saturday afternoon.
The game (3:30 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 Cincinnati vs Arkansas streaming live online:
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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 Cincinnati vs Arkansas 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.” 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 Cincinnati vs Arkansas 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 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 Cincinnati vs Arkansas 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 Cincinnati vs Arkansas 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 Cincinnati vs Arkansas 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.
Cincinnati vs Arkansas Preview
Cincinnati is coming off the best season in program history after going 13-1 and making it to the College Football Playoffs. Now the Bearcats will have to patch some holes if they want to build off of last season’s success.
First, the team will have to replace quarterback Desmond Ridder. The team has still yet to name a starting quarterback this season as Eastern Michigan transfer Ben Bryant and Evan Prater.
Whichever quarterback starts they’ll be behind an offensive line that has all five starters back. In the backfield, the Bearcats will also have to replace star running back, Jerome Ford.
LSU transfer Corey Kiner will try to fill the void but he’ll have help as Ryan Montgomery, Charles McClelland, and Ethan Wright are all back. Also back on offense are tight ends Josh Whyle and Leonard Taylor who were key contributors last season.
Cincinnati also returns three key receivers in Tyler Scott, Tre Tucker, and Jadon Thompson. If the Bearcats can fill the hole at quarterback the team should have a potent offense again this season.
The problem for Cincinnati could come on the defensive side of the ball as they lost six players from last year’s team. They do get veterans Malik Vann and Jabari Taylor back on the defensive line.
Miami(Ohio) transfer linebacker Ivan Pace should help the second level of Cincinnati’s defense as he joins his brother Deshawn. The secondary took the biggest hit as they lost Sauce Gardner, Coby Bryant, and Bryan Cook. The team does bring back senior Arquon Bush who much will be expected of this season.
Arkansas is coming off of a resurgent season in 2021 that saw them finish 9-4. A big part of that resurgence is back as quarterback KJ Jefferson returns for his junior season.
In his sophomore season, Jefferson passed for 2,676 yards, 21 touchdowns, and four interceptions. Jefferson also tallied 664 rushing yards to lead the team. The Razorbacks also bring back running backs Raheim Sanders and Dominique Johnson who both rushed for over 500 yards last season.
Helping to bolster the Arkansas rushing attack will be an offensive line that returns four starters. One of the biggest questions on offense will be finding a go-to receiver to replace Treylon Burks.
On defense, Arkansas seems to be developing some depth on the defensive line. Isaiah Nichols and Taurean Carter figure to be key pieces on the interior while Eric Gregory, Zach Williams, and Jashaud Stewart all provide some experience at the ends.
At linebacker Bumper Pool is leading a young but talented group including Chris “Pooh” Paul Jr. In the back end Hudson Clark figures to be a key contributor while Khari Johnson, Dwight Mcglothern, and Malik Chavis could also contribute.
This game should be a good early-season test for both teams. Whichever team can answer their roster questions soonest will be in a good position to get a win.