The James Madison Dukes face the Oregon Ducks in a College Football Playoff (CFP) first-round matchup on Saturday, December 20th. This game marks a significant test for James Madison, who dominated the Sun Belt Conference with an 8-0 record, against a formidable Oregon team that lost only once this season.
When and Where to Watch
The game kicks off at 7:30 p.m. ET (4:30 p.m. PT) and will be broadcast nationally on TNT, with simultaneous streaming available on HBO Max.
Streaming and TV Options
Cord-cutters and TV subscribers alike have several options to tune in. Here’s a breakdown of the most popular choices:
- HBO Max: Offers live sports access with its standard $18.50/month plan, including both CFP first-round games.
- Sling TV (Orange): Provides TNT and ESPN coverage for $46/month.
- DirecTV MySports: A sports-focused bundle at $70/month, including TNT and ESPN, with a 5-day trial and a $10 discount on the first month.
- YouTube TV: Costs $83/month, includes TNT and ESPN, and offers a 10-day trial with discounted pricing for the first three months ($73/month).
- Hulu Plus Live TV: Also priced at $83/month with TNT and ESPN, and a 3-day trial option.
- ESPN Unlimited: For those seeking broader college football coverage, ESPN Unlimited streams all ESPN networks for $30/month (or $300 annually), covering the quarterfinals, semifinals, and championship game.
The Stakes
James Madison enters this game as a notable underdog, having only lost one contest all year. However, this is a major step up in competition against Oregon, a powerhouse program that suffered its only defeat against undefeated Indiana. The outcome will determine whether the Dukes can upset a top-ranked team and advance deeper into the playoffs.
Future Playoff Coverage
Following the first round, all remaining CFP games will be broadcast on ESPN and ESPN’s streaming services. Fans can choose between ESPN Unlimited for comprehensive coverage or explore alternatives if they prefer not to subscribe to live TV streaming bundles.
Ultimately, viewers have multiple pathways to watch this exciting first-round matchup and the subsequent stages of the College Football Playoff.
