The Cincinnati Bearcats, led by quarterback Brendan Sorsby, will face the Colorado Buffaloes, led by quarterback Shedeur Sanders, on Saturday, October 26, 2024 (10/26/24) at Folsom Field in Boulder, Colo.

How to watch: Fans can watch the game for free via a trial of DirecTV Stream or fuboTV. You can also watch via a subscription to Sling TV, which offers half off your first month.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: NCAA football, week 9

WHO: Cincinnati vs. Colorado

When: Saturday October 26, 2024

Where: Folsom Field

Time: 10:15 PM ET

TV: ESPN

Live stream: fuboTV (free trial), DirectTV stream (free trial)

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Here are the best streaming options for college football this season:

Fubo TV (free trial): fuboTV offers ESPN, FOX, ABC, NBC and CBS.

DirectTV stream (free trial): DirecTV Stream offers ESPN, FOX, NBC and CBS.

Sling TV ($25 off first month)– Sling TV offers ESPN, FOX, ABC and NBC.

ESPN+($9.99 per month): ESPN+ offers college football games every weekend for just $9.99 per month. These games are exclusive to the platform.

Peacock TV ($5.99 per month): Peacock will simulcast all of NBC Sports’ college football games on the NBC broadcast network this season, including Big Ten Saturday Night. Peacock will also stream Notre Dame home games. Select games will also stream exclusively on Peacock this year.

Biggest+ (free trial): Paramount Plus will stream college football games live on CBS this year.

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Here’s a sample capsule via Associated Press:

Cincinnati (5-2, 3-1 Big 12) at Colorado (5-2, 3-1), Saturday, 10:15 p.m. ET (ESPN)

BettingMGM College Football Odds: Colorado at 5½.

Series record: Colorado leads 1-0.

What is at stake?

At 3-1 in conference play, Cincinnati and Colorado need a win to stay in a close Big 12 title hunt, while everyone tries to catch undefeated BYU and Iowa State. Both the Bearcats and Buffaloes are back on track after struggling in their first seasons with a new coach last year. The Bearcats finished 3-9 in 2023 under Scott Satterfield, while Colorado was 4-8 in Deion Sanders’ first season in Boulder. These two teams both feature standout quarterbacks, with Shedeur Sanders (161.56) and Brendan Sorsby (152.08) ranking 1-2 in passer rating. The Bearcats visit Folsom Field for the first time since 1972, a 56-14 win at Colorado.

Key match

A Colorado offensive line anchored by freshman left tackle Jordan Seaton will have a tall order in keeping Shedeur Sanders safe against a strong Bearcats pass rush. Cincinnati ranks third in the league with 17 sacks. Linebacker Jared Bartlett leads the way with 4 1/2 and defensive end Eric Phillips has four. Same case with Cincy’s O-line as it faces Colorado’s excellent pass rushers. The Buffaloes have collected 16 sacks over the last three games.

Players to watch

Cincinnati: Joe Royer leads all Big 12 tight ends with 32 catches and 387 yards. Travis Kelce holds the school’s single-season mark for receptions tight with 45 in 2012.

Colorado: Two-time star Travis Hunter played on a limited basis last weekend to rest a sore shoulder, unusual for someone who rarely leaves the field. On offense, he leads the team with 51 catches for 604 yards. On defense, he has two interceptions and a forced fumble. “He’s feeling a lot better than he did last week,” Deion Sanders said. “You could just see it in his giddy demeanor and the way he goes through life, a little more pep in his step.”

Facts & figures

Cincinnati would become bowl eligible for the sixth time in seven seasons with a win against Colorado. …Colorado can also become bowl eligible with a win. … Like Colorado, the Bearcats used the transfer portal to quickly fill gaps. Among the players Cincinnati signed are Sorsby (Indiana), Royer (Ohio State), linebackers Bartlett (West Virginia) and Jake Golday (Central Arkansas) and safety Derrick Canteen (Virginia Tech). … The Bearcats have converted 7 of 8 fourth-down attempts this year. … Cincinnati’s two losses — 28-27 to Pittsburgh and 44-41 to Texas Tech — came by a combined four points.

(The Associated Press contributed to this report)

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