How to Watch Houston vs. Utah on DIRECTV: Kickoff Time, Channel and Streaming
No. 20 Houston visits No. 11 Utah on Saturday, October 24, 2026, at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City. It’s a ranked Big 12 matchup, and ESPN and FOX are using a six-day window, so the network and kickoff time won’t be set until after the October 17 games. On DIRECTV, that means an ESPN network (ABC, ESPN 206 or ESPN2 209) or a FOX network (local FOX or FS1 219).
Utah is 5-0 (2-0 Big 12) and Houston is 5-1 (2-1 Big 12), with both ranked in the AP Top 25 for the October 12 poll. Houston has won all five meetings in the series, including a 17-14 win on a last-second field goal in 2024. Here’s how to watch Houston-Utah on DIRECTV, as of October 15, 2026.
Houston vs. Utah: date, time and channel
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Date | Saturday, October 24, 2026 (Week 8) |
| Kickoff | TBD (six-day window; set after October 17) |
| Stadium | Rice-Eccles Stadium, Salt Lake City, Utah |
| Conference | Big 12 |
| TV | An ESPN or FOX network (TBD as of October 15) |
| DIRECTV channel | Depends on the network (see table below) |
| Streaming | Network app or the DIRECTV app once the assignment is posted |
| Rankings and records | Utah No. 11 AP, 5-0 (2-0 Big 12); Houston No. 20 AP, 5-1 (2-1 Big 12), through October 15 |
What channel is Houston vs. Utah on DIRECTV?
The Big 12 announced on October 12 that ESPN and FOX will use their six-day selection window for this game, which means the choice comes after the October 17 results. Once it’s posted, use this table to find it on DIRECTV:
| Network (if assigned) | DIRECTV channel | Starting package |
|---|---|---|
| ABC | Local ABC station (varies by market) | Core packages, where local channels are available |
| ESPN | 206 | ENTERTAINMENT and up; also MySports Genre Pack |
| ESPN2 | 209 | ENTERTAINMENT and up; also MySports Genre Pack |
| FOX | Local FOX station (varies by market) | Core packages, where local channels are available |
| FS1 | 219 | ENTERTAINMENT and up |
Any DIRECTV Signature package covers all five possibilities, as long as local channels are offered at your address. Our guides to what channel ESPN is on DIRECTV and what channel ESPN2 is on DIRECTV cover 206 and 209, and the MySports Genre Pack is the sports-focused alternative. Compare tiers in our DIRECTV package channel comparison, or call 1-855-690-9884 and we’ll confirm the game channel at your address once it’s set.
How to stream Houston vs. Utah
- If ESPN gets it: ESPN and ESPN2 games stream in the ESPN app, and ABC games stream there too. DIRECTV customers whose package includes ESPN can activate ESPN Unlimited at no extra cost; our guide to ESPN Unlimited for DIRECTV customers walks through setup.
- If FOX gets it: stream FOX or FS1 in the FOX Sports app or FOX One with your DIRECTV login where supported.
- DIRECTV app: watch the assigned channel live on a phone, tablet or streaming device with your DIRECTV login where that channel streams.
How Houston and Utah got here
Results so far, from ESPN team schedules as of October 15, 2026:
| Utah (5-0, 2-0 Big 12) | Houston (5-1, 2-1 Big 12) |
|---|---|
| W 66-14 vs. Idaho | W 33-20 vs. Oregon State |
| W 43-10 vs. Arkansas | W 77-6 vs. Southern |
| W 33-0 vs. Utah State | L 26-28 at Texas Tech |
| W 31-17 at Iowa State | W 42-28 at Georgia Southern |
| W 41-24 vs. Kansas | W 27-17 vs. UCF |
| Sat., Oct. 17: at Colorado (ESPN) | W 35-16 at Kansas State |
| Sat., Oct. 17: vs. Oklahoma State (FOX) |
Both teams play once more before this game, which is why the network decision waits until the weekend. Local help: DIRECTV channels for Utah and Texas.
Houston vs. Utah storylines
- Houston owns the series: the Cougars are 5-0 all-time against Utah. The last meeting was October 26, 2024, when Houston won 17-14 at TDECU Stadium on a 43-yard field goal as time expired.
- A rare trip to Salt Lake City: this is only the second time Utah has hosted Houston. The only other game in Salt Lake City was a 34-16 Houston win in 1977.
- Utah’s unbeaten start: the Utes have outscored opponents 214-65, including a 33-0 shutout of Utah State and a 43-10 win over Arkansas.
- Houston’s ranked run: the Cougars have been in the AP poll for seven straight weeks to start a season for the first time since 2016. Their only loss was 28-26 at Texas Tech.
- What’s next: Utah visits Cincinnati on October 31, and Houston is off until it hosts Cincinnati on November 7.
Big 12 games on Saturday, October 24
| Game | Kickoff (ET) | Network (as of Oct. 15) |
|---|---|---|
| West Virginia at TCU | Noon | ESPN2 (DIRECTV 209) |
| Houston at Utah | TBD | TBD (ESPN or FOX six-day window) |
| BYU at UCF | TBD | TBD |
| Texas Tech at Cincinnati | TBD | TBD |
| Colorado at Oklahoma State | TBD | TBD |
| Baylor at Kansas | TBD | TBD |
| Iowa State at Arizona | TBD | TBD |
| Kansas State at Arizona State | TBD | TBD |
The Week 8 college football TV schedule on DIRECTV has every conference for October 23-24.
Want ESPN, FOX and your locals lined up for the rest of the Big 12 race? Check DIRECTV options at your address or call 1-855-690-9884.
Frequently asked questions
What channel is Houston vs. Utah on DIRECTV?
As of October 15, 2026, the network is TBD. ESPN and FOX are using a six-day window and will pick after the October 17 games. On DIRECTV it will be ABC (local), ESPN 206, ESPN2 209, FOX (local) or FS1 219.
What time does Houston vs. Utah start?
Kickoff is TBD. The time is set with the network after the October 17 games. The game is Saturday, October 24, 2026, at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City.
Can I stream Houston vs. Utah?
Yes, once the network is set. ESPN and ABC games stream in the ESPN app, and DIRECTV customers with ESPN can often activate ESPN Unlimited at no extra cost. FOX and FS1 games stream in the FOX Sports app or FOX One. You can also use the DIRECTV app for the assigned channel where it streams.
What are Houston’s and Utah’s records?
Through October 15, 2026, Utah is 5-0 (2-0 Big 12) and No. 11 in the AP poll, and Houston is 5-1 (2-1 Big 12) and No. 20. Utah plays at Colorado and Houston hosts Oklahoma State on October 17.
When did Houston and Utah last play?
Houston beat Utah 17-14 at TDECU Stadium in Houston on October 26, 2024, on a 43-yard field goal as time expired. Houston leads the series 5-0.
What DIRECTV package do I need for Big 12 games?
ESPN, ESPN2 and FS1 start with ENTERTAINMENT (206, 209 and 219), and local ABC and FOX come with core packages where locals are offered. The MySports Genre Pack also includes ESPN and ESPN2. Call 1-855-690-9884 to confirm at your address.
Need help confirming the game channel at your address once the network is set? Call 1-855-690-9884.
Details reviewed October 15, 2026 from the University of Houston Athletics six-day window announcement (October 12, 2026), ESPN schedule and summary feeds (event 401856837), ESPN team schedules for Houston and Utah, Utah Athletics opponent history, the AP report on the October 26, 2024 game, and live AmericanTV.com channel guides. Kickoff time and network are TBD as of October 15 and will be set by ESPN or FOX after the October 17 games. Rankings and records reflect games through October 15, 2026. Channel lineups, package contents, offers and prices vary by address and may change. Houston, Utah, Big 12, ABC, ESPN, FOX, FS1, DIRECTV and related marks belong to their respective owners. American TV is an independent dealer and resource site.