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, Colorado.

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

Here's what you need to know:

What: NCAA Football, Week 9

WHO: Cincinnati vs. Colorado

When: Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024

Where: Folsom Field

Time: 10:15 p.m. ET

TV: ESPN

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

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

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

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

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

ESPN+($9.99 per month): ESPN+ streams 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 NBC Sports college football games airing on the NBC broadcast network this season, including Big Ten Saturday Night. Peacock will also stream Notre Dame home games. Certain games will continue to stream exclusively on Peacock this year.

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

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Here's a preview capsule via Associated Press:

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

BetMGM 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 tight Big 12 title game as everyone tries to catch up with 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 the leadership of Scott Satterfield, while Colorado finished 4-8 in Deion Sanders' first season in Boulder. These two teams both feature outstanding quarterbacks, with Shedeur Sanders (161.56) and Brendan Sorsby (152.08) ranking 1-2 in the conference in passer rating. The Bearcats visit Folsom Field for the first time since 1972, a 56-14 win by Colorado.

Key match

A Colorado offensive line anchored by freshman left tackle Jordan Seaton will have a tall task protecting Shedeur Sanders from a potent Bearcats pass rush. Cincinnati ranks third in the league with 17 sacks. Linebacker Jared Bartlett leads with 4 1/2 and defensive end Eric Phillips leads with four. The same goes for Cincy's O-line going up against Colorado's excellent pass rushers. The Buffaloes have recorded 16 sacks in 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 single-season school mark for receptions with just under 45 in 2012.

Colorado: Two-way star Travis Hunter played limited 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 can just tell by his swing and the way he approaches life, a little more pep in his step.”

Facts & Figures

With a win against Colorado, Cincinnati would be eligible to play for the sixth time in seven seasons. … Colorado can also become bowl eligible with a win. … Like Colorado, the Bearcats used the transfer portal to fill gaps in a hurry. The players brought in by Cincinnati include 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 at Texas Tech – were by a combined four points.

(The Associated Press contributed to this report)

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