Saturday, September 5, 2026. Kickoff 3:30 p.m. ET on FOX.
Cincinnati hosts Boston College in one of the few Week 1 games pairing two Power Four programs from different conferences. FOX has it in the afternoon window.
| Kickoff | 3:30 p.m. ET · 2:30 CT · 1:30 MT · 12:30 PT |
| TV | FOX |
| Streaming | FOX Sports App, Fubo, YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, DirecTV Stream |
| Venue | Nippert Stadium, Cincinnati |
| Free option | FOX is available over the air with an antenna |
Two Power Four Teams in Week 1
Most opening weekend matchups pair a major program with a smaller one. This is a genuine cross-conference game — ACC against Big 12 — with both sides having something to lose.
For Cincinnati it is a chance to open Big 12 credibility against an ACC opponent at home. For Boston College it is a winnable road game that would look useful in December.
Nippert Stadium
One of the oldest continuously used stadiums in college football, sitting in the middle of Cincinnati’s campus with the city visible over the stands. Capacity is modest by Power Four standards, which makes it loud rather than imposing.
How to Watch Free
FOX carries it nationally, so an antenna gets it free in most markets. Fubo, YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV and DirecTV Stream all include FOX in their base packages, and the FOX Sports App streams it for authenticated subscribers.
Note this is on the main FOX network, not FS1 — a distinction worth checking, since FOX has games on both channels in this window.
The Bottom Line
Boston College at Cincinnati kicks off 3:30 p.m. ET Saturday, September 5 on FOX from Nippert Stadium. It is one of the few Week 1 games between two Power Four programs, and FOX is free over the air.