The 2025 USC Trojans football season begins under a national spotlight, fueled by high expectations and significant changes across the college football landscape. With Lincoln Riley entering his fourth year at the helm, the program is looking to build on explosive recruiting gains and a reshaped depth chart featuring top-10 high school prospects and transfer portal standouts. Fans are watching closely as USC continues its transition into the Big Ten Conference, where new rivalries and historic matchups—such as against Ohio State and Michigan—are redefining the stakes every Saturday.
Interest in college football is surging, and with it, the demand for seamless, high-quality access to live games. Television and digital platforms have become essential for fans who want to follow every snap, tackle, and touchdown, whether from their living room or on the go. DirecTV remains a key provider, offering expansive sports coverage, conference network access, and integration with streaming features that modern viewers expect.
This guide covers step-by-step instructions and detailed channel information so fans know exactly how to watch USC Trojans football in 2025 using DirecTV—no missed kickoffs, no missed rivalries.
The 2025 USC Trojans football schedule promises intense matchups, coast-to-coast rivalries, and playoff-level stakes right from the opening week. Whether you're watching from home or planning a trip to the Coliseum, lock in these dates now.
As the Trojans adjust deeper into Big Ten territory, their 2025 schedule delivers a mix of high-altitude rivalries, Midwest grit, and coast-to-coast travel logistics. The Notre Dame and UCLA games remain calendar-locking events, and matchups against Oregon, Michigan State, and Penn State will significantly impact both USC’s ranking and playoff eligibility. Home games such as Wisconsin and Iowa shape up as Coliseum blockbusters—likely to draw full national coverage.
Download the full 2025 USC Football Schedule for print or mobile viewing:
USC’s 2025 football season will unfold across a national media landscape anchored by a select group of major sports networks. Viewers subscribing through DirecTV can expect broad access — but the specifics depend on the game's profile, day of the week, and conference tie-ins. Here's where to find the Trojans on game day.
As a long-time pillar of college football coverage, ESPN will once again feature prominently in airing key USC matchups. Whether it's a Saturday primetime showdown or a Thursday night clash, ESPN and ESPN2 will deliver full broadcasts with national reach. Their contracts with major conferences ensure that marquee games are often slotted here.
ABC shares content rights with ESPN, often simulcasting high-profile games to a broader audience. Expect USC’s most nationally anticipated games — rivalry face-offs, playoff-implicated matchups — to be featured on ABC’s weekend slate.
FOX Sports remains a key broadcast partner for Big Ten football, and with USC aligned to the Big Ten Conference starting in 2024, its 2025 season will include several FOX-televised games. FS1 serves as the network’s cable extension, with strong weekday and primetime slots tailored for conference-specific coverage.
CBS will carry select Big Ten contests on Saturdays, slotting them into their nationally broadcast lineup. CBS Sports Network, although more niche, offers carryover programming, post-game coverage, and occasional live broadcasts. The networks collectively broaden exposure for Big Ten teams across both linear and digital platforms.
NBC entered into a media rights agreement with the Big Ten beginning in 2023. Under this deal, select primetime Big Ten matchups are featured on NBC and streamed on Peacock. If USC lands an evening game slot, especially one with playoff implications or against a marquee opponent like Michigan or Ohio State, NBC would likely air it.
As the official conference network, BTN will host multiple USC games — particularly non-conference matchups, games against mid-tier Big Ten opponents, or competitions slotted outside ABC and FOX’s feature windows. BTN offers comprehensive coverage that includes pre-game, in-game, and post-game analysis tailored to conference fanbases.
Multiple networks mean multiple channel locations on DirecTV — and each one plays a specific role in the full season's broadcast schedule. Planning which channel to tune into will depend on who USC plays, when they play, and what stakes are on the line that week.
DirecTV offers three core packages that align well with the needs of college football fans: Choice, Ultimate, and Premier. Each includes extensive sports content, but with varying depth and channel availability.
The Sports Pack add-on greatly expands football coverage. It delivers 40+ additional channels including regional sports networks and specialty channels like SEC Network, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, and ESPNU—many of which air non-conference games and studio analysis relevant to USC matchups throughout the season.
For serious college football fans following teams beyond USC—perhaps tracking Pac-12 rivals or future playoff contenders—Sports Pack offers valuable breadth.
USC’s home games and many regional showdowns air on local stations like ABC7 (KABC), KCBS, or KTTV in the Los Angeles market. All three base DirecTV packages—Choice and above—support full access to local affiliates, though exact channel numbers vary by ZIP code.
Fans within California will receive these affiliates automatically; those outside may need to use DirecTV’s local channel lookup tool or consider DNS (distant network service) if they're out of bounds.
Choice + Sports Pack offers the most efficient investment if the goal is comprehensive college football coverage without premium entertainment extras.
DirecTV Satellite remains the flagship platform with the broadest channel reach, including full access to regional sports networks. However, DirecTV via Internet—its streaming-based counterpart—mirrors much of the same content with no dish installation required.
Streaming subscribers receive USC football through national networks like ESPN, ABC, FOX, and CBS, assuming internet connectivity is stable. However, access to certain regional sports networks may vary, and blackout rules still apply. Channel availability for regional USC games should be verified before choosing a streaming plan.
Forget the scramble five minutes before kickoff. Knowing exactly where to tune in on DirecTV will eliminate last-minute guesses and missed drives. Here’s where USC Trojans football is most likely to appear during the 2025 season:
The on-screen guide on DirecTV isn’t just for browsing — it’s a powerful tool for college football fans. Press the "Guide" button on your remote and filter by sports category. Use the arrow keys to navigate by date and channel to find scheduled USC Trojans games. Highlight a matchup and press "Info" to read game details, start time, and channel specifics.
Never miss a snap. Use DirecTV’s reminder feature to stay ahead of game time. Once you've navigated to a scheduled USC game in the guide, press the "Select" button on your remote. Then choose "Record" to schedule a DVR recording or select "Remind" to receive an on-screen prompt shortly before kickoff. This works across live channels and specialty broadcasts alike.
Looking for a more efficient way to plan your watchlist? The DirecTV app allows custom sports alerts and remote DVR management — perfect when you're away from home or monitoring multiple matchups in a single day.
DirecTV subscribers can stream every USC Trojans football game aired on supported networks without relying on cable receivers. Whether traveling, at the office, or watching from a secondary screen at home, every available broadcast is accessible with a DirecTV login.
College football weekends often bring time-slot conflicts, especially if you're tracking multiple Pac-12 matchups. DirecTV provides solutions that let fans monitor several broadcasts concurrently.
Prefer a streamlined approach? Just route your tablet or second screen to one game and put the USC game on the big screen. DirecTV's ecosystem adapts to however you want to watch.
Before kickoff, verify your DirecTV package includes the core sports networks: ESPN, FOX, CBS Sports Network, NBC, and ABC. These channels hold the rights to broadcast key NCAA matchups, including USC Trojans games. Not all DirecTV packages offer complete coverage by default. To confirm, sign in at the DirecTV.com site or use the MyDIRECTV app and navigate to “My Channels”.
Use your remote to press the “Info” button while tuned to one of these networks. If you see a notification like “This channel isn’t included in your current package”, your subscription lacks access. This is typical for entry-level packages such as Entertainment, which may omit CBS Sports Network or FS1.
In the 2025 season, USC will appear in multiple high-profile time slots targeted for national viewership—most of which are locked to rights contracts with major outlets. FOX and ESPN handle Big Ten conference matchups, which now include USC. CBS Sports Network occasionally carries non-conference games and early-season matchups. Missing any of these channels means missing parts of the season.
If your package falls short, upgrading takes less time than halftime. Here’s a direct path:
Alternatively, call the DirecTV customer helpline and say “add channels.” Ask the representative to confirm inclusion of ESPN, FOX, and CBS Sports based on the current USC Football broadcast rights for 2025.
Once active, execute a quick refresh on your receiver. On models like the Genie, press Menu > Settings > System > Receiver Refresh. This syncs your channel lineup for instant availability.
Have you double-checked your package’s sports coverage yet?
The DirecTV Sports Pack offers more than 40 regional sports networks (RSNs), plus specialty channels that dive deep into collegiate athletics. Subscribers gain access to channels such as Big Ten Network, SEC Network, ACC Network, and NBC Sports Bay Area—each one tailored to regional college sports coverage. This lineup complements national networks you'll already get through base packages like Choice or Ultimate.
Here’s what stands out in the Sports Pack:
National channels like FOX, ABC, and CBS will air high-profile USC games. But depending on your location, you might miss out on complementary broadcasts without regional access. For viewers in Southern California, channels like Spectrum SportsNet and Bally Sports West often carry extended sports content, including pre- and post-game coverage involving Pac-12-turned-Big-Ten teams like USC.
DirecTV integrates both local affiliates and national feeds—something cord-cutting services struggle to offer consistently. Whether you're in Los Angeles or watching from another state, the ability to tune both types of programming ensures a comprehensive College Football Saturday experience.
Every major live TV streaming service offers access to college football, but not at the same depth. DirecTV’s traditional satellite model is more expansive in terms of number of channels and regional specialization. Services like YouTube TV and Hulu + Live TV typically carry ~85 channels; DirecTV packages surpass 150 in some plans, with a distinct edge in regional sports.
The DirecTV Sports Pack enhances value for households that follow multiple sports. Basketball, baseball, hockey, and niche sports like indoor lacrosse or wrestling are represented through RSNs and networks such as NBA TV, MLB Network Strike Zone, and the Tennis Channel. Families don’t have to sacrifice one sport to follow another—simultaneous access is part of the infrastructure.
Looking beyond Saturdays, access to post-game shows, athlete interviews, archival content, and specialized college recruiting coverage makes this package a year-round investment in comprehensive sports coverage.
USC Trojans kickoff times shift more often than you'd expect—adjustments happen due to network programming decisions, team rankings, or other game delays. To stay synced, use tools that update in real time:
Saturday start times for college football can move based on regional interests, early or primetime network slots, and occasionally weather delays. Especially for nationally aired games on FOX or ABC, kickoff windows might not lock in until 6–12 days before the weekend.
Throughout the 2025 season, anticipate game-time revisions and channel reassignment particularly for high-stakes matchups or rivalry weeks—like when USC faces Notre Dame or UCLA. Keeping your apps updated and checking official sources mid-week gives you the best chance of avoiding surprises.
USC plays in the Pacific Time Zone, but many networks set their schedules in Eastern or Central time. If you're watching from LA or anywhere in California, subtract accordingly. A 3:30 p.m. ET kickoff means you’ll be tuning in by 12:30 p.m. local time. ESPN and DirecTV interfaces usually auto-adjust to your system’s settings, but check for time-zone indicators, especially when traveling or using mobile alerts.
Want to make sure you never miss a kickoff? Set a recurring calendar alert for Fridays to double-check the weekend slate—it’s that simple.
DirecTV includes local broadcast channels in its packages, but only when available in your Designated Market Area (DMA). In California, major markets like Los Angeles, San Diego, and Sacramento offer full support for ABC, CBS, NBC, and FOX affiliates. These channels will carry multiple USC Trojans football games in 2025—especially non-conference matchups and high-profile conference clashes.
Los Angeles residents, for example, receive:
These channels deliver regional broadcasts that often include Trojans' Saturday afternoon games. So, if you're based in one of these metros, you're in position to watch every major network broadcast right through your DirecTV receiver.
Coverage aligns directly with zip code. DirecTV uses your billing address to assign your local market. While urban markets like Los Angeles and San Diego generally carry all Big Four networks, rural or fringe areas may receive a limited set. For instance, residents in parts of inland California—particularly where multiple DMAs overlap—might only get FOX and CBS through DirecTV, not NBC or ABC.
Receivers automatically detect this once your service is registered. There’s no manual selection. If you're unable to find a specific local network in the guide, it’s tied to regional licensing and broadcasting rights, not a hardware issue.
When DirecTV doesn’t carry a local network affiliate in your area, an over-the-air (OTA) antenna sidesteps the problem. Connect a digital antenna to your television to access uncompressed HD broadcasts of ABC, CBS, NBC, and FOX. Since these networks transmit locally, signal strength depends on proximity to the nearest station tower.
This backup method fills in the gaps where DirecTV’s local lineup falls short, ensuring no USC game slips through the cracks due to missed regional coverage.
Big hits, electric touchdowns, and Pac-12 rivalries packed into one streamlined experience—DirecTV checks every box for USC Trojans fans heading into the 2025 season. From exclusive coverage across ESPN, FOX, CBS Sports, and more, to subscription tiers designed for serious college football viewers, DirecTV eliminates the guesswork. You’ll follow every snap—from the first kick-off to postseason thrillers—without channel confusion or game-day scrambling.
The flexibility to stream games live, monitor scores in real time, and tap into regional broadcasts across California gives fans full coverage. DirecTV also bundles sports-centric features like Genie DVR capability, multi-view screen options on game day, and access to specialty sports networks—ideal when the Trojans share airtime with major national events.
Which DirecTV package gives you the right mix? Double-check your channel lineup now. Channel placement for networks like FOX Sports 1, ESPN2, and ABC can vary by plan and ZIP code.
Have a prediction for the biggest win of the season? Think the Trojans will make a playoff run? Drop it in the comments below—or share your game-watching setup tips with fellow fans.
Don’t risk missing a play—check your DirecTV package and be ready for kickoff!
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