The prevailing story entering this game is that this will mark the end of Urban Meyer’s coaching career (as far as we know, anyway). Meyer, who has coached Ohio State to an 82-9 record and a national title in the past seven years, is set to retire after this game, and the Buckeyes would like to send him off with one last New Year’s Day bowl victory. You can watch it all happen for free on the Rose Bowl live stream.
Rose Bowl
- Location: Rose Bowl Stadium, Pasadena, California
- Date: Jan. 1, 5pm ET
- Streaming: ESPN
Rose Bowl: How to watch online for free
1) Hulu with Live TV
- Cost: $40 per month (after a 7-day free trial)
- Hulu devices: Roku, Apple TV, Google Chromecast, Amazon Fire Stick and Fire TV, Xbox One, Xbox 360, Nintendo Switch, and iOS and Android devices
- Local channels: ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC, the CW (check your local availability here)
Hulu with Live TV is a one-stop shop for streaming entertainment. Every subscription comes with free access to Hulu’s deep catalog of on-demand TV shows, 2018 new releases, funny movies, and Hulu original series. That’s in addition to 50-plus channels that include everything you need to stream college bowl games: ESPN and ESPN 2, FS1 and FS2, ABC, Fox, and CBS Sports Network, not to mention SEC Network and Big Ten Network. (Here’s a complete guide to Hulu Live TV channels.)
2) Sling TV
- Cost: $25-$40 per month (after a 7-day free trial)
- Sling TV devices: Amazon Fire TVs, Android Fire Stick, Apple TV, Android TV, Roku, Xbox One, Google Chromecast, and iOS and Android devices
- Local channels: NBC, Fox (check your local availability here.)
On paper, Sling TV is your cheapest bet for streaming the 2018 college bowl games. At just $25 per month, Sling Orange offers a suite of ESPN channels, but FS1 and FS2, local channels, and regional sports networks are frustratingly locked behind Sling Blue, also $25 per month. The good news: You can combine the two (Sling Orange + Blue) for just $40 per month. While Sling TV doesn’t carry ABC or CBS Sports Network, new subscribers are eligible to receive a free HD antenna. If you really want to go all-in, be sure to add the Sling Blue Sports Extra pack. It costs an extra $10 per month but gets you Pac-12 Network, NFL RedZone, and specialty channels like NBA TV, beIN Sports, and NHL Network. (Here’s a complete guide to Sling TV channels.)
3) YouTube TV
- Cost: $40 per month (after a 7-day free trial)
- Devices: Google Chromecast, Roku, Apple TV, Android TV, Xbox One, iOS and Android devices
- Local channels: NBC, CBS, Fox, ABC, the CW (enter your ZIP code here to check your availability)
YouTube TV offers a comprehensive streaming package for sports fans that’s close to what you’ll find on Hulu with Live TV. One notable difference in YouTube’s favor is the addition of specialty channels like NBA TV and MLB Network. But it’s unlimited cloud DVR and the ability to split each account with six other people that makes YouTube TV worth considering. (You can find the full list of YouTube TV channels here.)
4) DirecTV Now
- Cost: $40-$75 per month (after a 7-day free trial)
- Devices: Roku, Apple TV, Google Chromecast, and Amazon Fire Stick
- Local channels: ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, the CW (enter your zip code here to check local availability)
If you want to go big, you want DirecTV Now. In fact, one of DirecTV Now’s five channel packages is actually called Go Big, and it’s no joke. The service tops out at more than 125 channels, including everything you need to stream college football bowl games (and a whole lot more you don’t). If you happen to be an AT&T Unlimited customer, you’ll save $25 per month on whichever package you choose. (You can view the full DirecTV Now channels list here.)
5) PlayStation Vue
- Cost: $44.99-$79.99 per month (after a 7-day free trial)
- Devices: PlayStation 3 and 4, Roku, Amazon Fire, Google Chromecast, Kodi, iOS and Android devices
- Local channels: NBC, Fox, ABC, CBS (enter your ZIP code here to check your availability)
Contrary to popular belief, you don’t need a PlayStation to use PlayStation Vue. The streaming service works with Roku, Amazon Fire, Chromecast, and even Kodi. It’s a tad more expensive than other options, but it offers four different tiers of channels that provide plenty of variety. (Here are all of PlayStation Vue channels.)
Rose Bowl: Why it matters
Ohio State is the betting favorite and it’s giving seven points. Basically, the Buckeyes have been the better team all year. But expect Washington to put up a fight. The Huskies haven’t had the smoothest of rides this year, losing to Auburn in the season opener and falling twice in October. But they’ve stormed back to win four straight games, and their defense—one of the best in the country—could give problems to Buckeyes quarterback Dwayne Haskins.
For more bowl fun, check out the Daily Dot’s bowl season preview podcast:
New to cord-cutting? Here are our picks for the best movie streaming sites of 2018 and free live TV apps and channels. If you’re looking for a specific channel, here’s how to watch HBO, Showtime, Starz, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, AMC, FX, Fox News, MSNBC, CNN, CNBC, FS1, TBS, TNT, Golf Channel, Syfy, HGTV, Cartoon Network/Adult Swim, Bravo, Lifetime, Discovery, PBS, the CW, BBC, CSPAN, NBA TV, MTV, Comedy Central, Food Network, TLC, the Weather Channel, and NFL RedZone without cable, as well as free movies on YouTube. If you’re on the move, here’s how to watch Fox Sports Go and live stream NBC Sports.