How to Watch Ohio State vs. Iowa on DIRECTV: Kickoff Time, CBS Channel and College GameDay
The biggest game of the Big Ten weekend is in Iowa City. No. 5 Ohio State visits No. 14 Iowa on Saturday, October 3, 2026, at 3:30 p.m. ET on CBS at a sold-out Kinnick Stadium, and ESPN's College GameDay is on campus that morning for the first time in 20 years. If you have DIRECTV, the game is on your local CBS station, and the GameDay build-up is on ESPN.
Here is the kickoff time, the channels to know on DIRECTV, your streaming options and a quick look at the matchup.
Ohio State vs. Iowa: quick facts
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Date | Saturday, October 3, 2026 |
| Kickoff | 3:30 p.m. ET / 2:30 p.m. CT / 12:30 p.m. PT |
| TV channel | CBS (your local CBS station) |
| Live stream | Paramount+ (Premium plan) |
| Stadium | Kinnick Stadium, Iowa City, Iowa |
| Rankings | Ohio State No. 5 AP / No. 6 Coaches (3-1); Iowa No. 14 in both polls (4-0) |
| Pregame | ESPN College GameDay from Iowa City, 9 a.m. to noon ET |
What channel is Ohio State vs. Iowa on DIRECTV?
The game airs nationally on CBS, so on DIRECTV you watch it on your local CBS affiliate. There is no single national CBS channel number; it depends on your market. Open the on-screen guide and search "CBS," or look in the local channels section of your guide. Our guide to what channel CBS is in your area can also help.
- DIRECTV satellite: local channels are available with any core TV package where DIRECTV offers locals for your address.
- DIRECTV streaming: packages that include local channels carry your CBS station where available. Check that your ZIP code includes CBS before Saturday.
Not sure your plan includes your local CBS station? Call American TV at 1-855-690-9884 and we can check your address.
College GameDay is live from Iowa City
ESPN's flagship pregame show is spending Saturday morning in Iowa City. College GameDay airs from 9 a.m. to noon ET (8 to 11 a.m. CT) on ESPN, with coverage also on ESPNU, the ESPN app and Disney+. It is the show's first trip to Iowa City in two decades, and Ohio State has now been featured on GameDay 70 times, more than any other program.
- ESPN: DIRECTV channel 206, included starting with the ENTERTAINMENT package.
- ESPNU: DIRECTV channel 208, included starting with CHOICE. See what channel ESPNU is on DIRECTV.
- ESPN app: DIRECTV says eligible customers, including satellite customers whose package includes ESPN, can activate ESPN Unlimited at no extra cost and stream ESPN's networks in the ESPN app.
How to stream Ohio State vs. Iowa
CBS games stream live on Paramount+, but only with the Paramount+ Premium plan, which includes your local CBS station's live feed. Paramount+ is sold separately from DIRECTV. On game day, open the Live TV section of the app and choose your local CBS feed.
If you already have DIRECTV, the DIRECTV app is another way to watch on a phone, tablet or streaming device where your local channels are available to stream.
Game preview: a top-15 showdown at Kinnick
Iowa is unbeaten and playing its best football in years, while Ohio State arrives with one close loss and one of the country's most dangerous offenses. Some key numbers:
- Series: Ohio State leads 48-15-3 and won the last two meetings, 54-10 in 2022 and 35-7 in 2024.
- Last time in Iowa City: Iowa beat Ohio State 55-24 at Kinnick Stadium in 2017, the Buckeyes' most recent visit.
- Ohio State: the Buckeyes are 3-1. Their only loss was 24-23 at Texas in Week 2, and they opened Big Ten play with a 42-19 win over Illinois.
- Iowa: the Hawkeyes are 4-0 for the first time since 2021 after a 20-19 win at Michigan, sealed by a touchdown catch as time expired.
- Iowa's defense: the Hawkeyes lead the nation in scoring defense at 8.0 points per game and have two shutouts.
- Ohio State's passing game: wide receiver Jeremiah Smith leads the nation with 617 receiving yards and is tied for the lead with seven touchdown catches.
Brad Nessler, Charles Davis and Jenny Dell have the call on CBS. Saturday is also Iowa's Black and Gold Spirit Game, so expect a striped Kinnick crowd on your screen.
College football channels on DIRECTV this weekend
It is a busy Big Ten weekend. Penn State visits Northwestern Friday at 8 p.m. ET on FOX, and Michigan plays Minnesota for the Little Brown Jug at noon ET Saturday on FOX. Saturday night, No. 4 Miami visits Clemson at 7:30 p.m. ET on ABC. Here is where the key sports networks sit on DIRECTV:
| Network | DIRECTV channel | Satellite packages |
|---|---|---|
| CBS (local) | Varies by market | Any core package where locals are offered |
| ESPN | 206 | ENTERTAINMENT and up |
| ESPNU | 208 | CHOICE and up |
| Big Ten Network (BTN) | 610 | CHOICE and up |
| CBS Sports Network | 221 | ULTIMATE and up |
Other ways to watch or listen
- Antenna: CBS is a broadcast network, so if you are in range of a CBS station you can pick up the game free over the air.
- Radio: the game airs on the Ohio State Sports Network and the Hawkeye Radio Network.
Want CBS, ESPN and Big Ten Network covered for the rest of the season? See DIRECTV options near you or call 1-855-690-9884.
Frequently asked questions
What time is Ohio State vs. Iowa?
Kickoff is 3:30 p.m. ET (2:30 p.m. CT, 12:30 p.m. PT) on Saturday, October 3, 2026.
What channel is the Ohio State-Iowa game on?
CBS. On DIRECTV, tune to your local CBS station; the channel number varies by market, so search "CBS" in your guide.
Can I stream Ohio State vs. Iowa?
Yes. It streams live on Paramount+ with the Premium plan. DIRECTV customers can also use the DIRECTV app where local channels are available to stream.
Where is College GameDay this week?
Iowa City. ESPN's College GameDay airs from 9 a.m. to noon ET on ESPN (DIRECTV channel 206), with coverage also on ESPNU (channel 208).
Where is the game being played?
At Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. The game is sold out.
Need help getting CBS or ESPN on DIRECTV before kickoff? Call 1-855-690-9884.
Details reviewed September 30, 2026. Kickoff times and TV assignments are set by the Big Ten, CBS and ESPN and may change. Local channel availability, channel numbers, packages and prices vary by address and are subject to change. CBS, Paramount+, ESPN, DIRECTV and related marks belong to their respective owners. American TV is an independent dealer and resource site.