How to Watch Virginia vs. SMU on DIRECTV: The CW Channel, Noon Kickoff and Streaming
Virginia visits No. 24 SMU on Saturday, October 17, 2026, at noon ET (11 a.m. CT) at Gerald J. Ford Stadium in Dallas. The ACC game airs nationally on The CW, which DIRECTV customers watch on their local CW station.
The CW is a broadcast network, so there is no single national DIRECTV channel number. The game also streams in the ESPN app with ESPN Unlimited, which DIRECTV includes at no extra cost on qualifying packages. Here’s how to watch Virginia vs. SMU, as of October 16, 2026.
Virginia vs. SMU at a glance
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Date | Saturday, October 17, 2026 |
| Kickoff | Noon ET / 11 a.m. CT |
| Stadium | Gerald J. Ford Stadium, Dallas, Texas |
| Matchup | Virginia Cavaliers at No. 24 SMU Mustangs (ACC) |
| TV | The CW (national broadcast) |
| DIRECTV channel | Your local CW station; the number varies by market |
| Streaming | ESPN app with ESPN Unlimited (included at no extra cost on qualifying DIRECTV packages) |
| Broadcast team | Thom Brennaman (play-by-play), Jason Cabinda (analyst), Wes Bryant (sideline) |
| Radio (UVA) | Virginia Sports Radio Network; SiriusXM 258 |
| Records | Virginia 4-2 (2-1 ACC); SMU 4-1 (2-1 ACC) |
| Rankings | SMU No. 24 AP, No. 22 Coaches; Virginia unranked |
What channel is Virginia vs. SMU on DIRECTV?
The game is on The CW. On DIRECTV you watch it on the CW affiliate in your local channels, and the channel number depends on your market. Press GUIDE and search “SMU” or “Virginia,” or look for your CW station in the local channels section, then set a recording before kickoff.
Local channels come with DIRECTV packages where DIRECTV offers locals at your address. If your CW station is missing from the guide, see how to add or remove local channels on DIRECTV, or call 1-855-690-9884 and we’ll check your address. The CW is also a free over-the-air network, so an antenna is a backup where you get a clear signal. Our guide to streaming local channels without cable covers more options.
How to stream Virginia vs. SMU
- ESPN app with ESPN Unlimited: ESPN’s fan support page says ACC football on CW Sports streams in the ESPN app with an ESPN Unlimited plan. DIRECTV includes ESPN Unlimited at no extra cost on satellite accounts whose base package includes ESPN (channel 206), on Signature streaming packages (excluding OPTIMO MAS) and with the MySports Genre Pack.
- Activate first: sign in to your DIRECTV account, open My TV Package and select Activate ESPN Unlimited, then sign in to the ESPN app with the ESPN ID you create. Signing in with your DIRECTV ID alone does not unlock ESPN Unlimited content. Our ESPN on DIRECTV guide walks through it.
- DIRECTV Gemini: tune to your local CW station in the live guide, or open the preloaded ESPN app from APPS. See our DIRECTV Gemini device guide.
The free CW app is built for entertainment shows and on-demand episodes. Live CW Sports events stream through ESPN Unlimited, so plan on the ESPN app if you want to stream this game. For the rest of Saturday’s slate, see our Week 7 college football TV schedule on DIRECTV.
Virginia vs. SMU game preview
Saturday is only the second meeting between the schools. SMU won the first, 33-7, at Scott Stadium in 2024. It is also Virginia’s first game in Texas since 2012 and the Cavaliers’ first ranked opponent of 2026.
SMU is 4-1 and 2-1 in the ACC under fifth-year coach Rhett Lashlee. The Mustangs’ only loss was 41-31 at Louisville on September 19, and they enter on a seven-game home winning streak. ACC teams are 0-9 in Dallas since SMU joined the league in 2024.
Virginia is 4-2 and 2-1 in the ACC under Tony Elliott after rallying from a 10-point halftime deficit to beat Syracuse 28-25 last Saturday. The game pits the ACC’s top passing offense, SMU at 341.0 yards per game, against the league’s top pass defense, Virginia at 161.8 yards allowed per game.
Virginia returns home next for a Friday night game against Duke on October 23 at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN. See how to watch Duke vs. Virginia on DIRECTV.
Want your local CW station, ESPN and ESPN Unlimited on one plan? Check DIRECTV options at your address or call 1-855-690-9884.
Frequently asked questions
What channel is Virginia vs. SMU on DIRECTV?
The game airs on The CW, so on DIRECTV you watch it on your local CW station. The channel number varies by market, so search the guide for SMU or Virginia.
What time is Virginia vs. SMU?
Kickoff is noon ET (11 a.m. CT) on Saturday, October 17, 2026, at Gerald J. Ford Stadium in Dallas.
Can I stream Virginia vs. SMU?
Yes. ACC games on The CW stream in the ESPN app with ESPN Unlimited. DIRECTV includes ESPN Unlimited at no extra cost on qualifying packages, and you activate it from My TV Package on your DIRECTV account.
Is Virginia vs. SMU on the free CW app?
Plan on the ESPN app instead. The CW app is for entertainment and on-demand content, and live CW Sports events stream with ESPN Unlimited.
Who is calling Virginia vs. SMU?
Thom Brennaman has play-by-play, Jason Cabinda is the analyst and Wes Bryant reports from the sideline on The CW.
What are the teams' records?
Virginia is 4-2 (2-1 ACC) and No. 24 SMU is 4-1 (2-1 ACC) heading into Saturday.
Want help finding your local CW station on DIRECTV before Saturday’s noon kickoff? Call 1-855-690-9884.
Details reviewed October 16, 2026 from the ACC Week 7 TV networks announcement (Oct. 5, 2026), Virginia Athletics game-time release and Virginia vs. SMU game notes, ESPN Fan Support guidance on ACC games on The CW, DIRECTV Support’s ESPN Unlimited through DIRECTV article and live AmericanTV.com DIRECTV guides. Kickoff times, broadcast assignments, local CW station carriage, channel numbers, ESPN Unlimited eligibility and package contents can change and vary by account and address. ACC, Virginia, SMU, The CW, CW Sports, ESPN, ESPN Unlimited, DIRECTV and related marks belong to their respective owners. American TV is an independent dealer and resource site.