How to Watch Wisconsin vs. UCLA on DIRECTV: NBC Channel, Kickoff Time and Streaming
No. 12 UCLA hosts Wisconsin on Saturday, October 17, 2026, at 7:30 p.m. ET (4:30 p.m. PT) at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, and the game is on NBC. On DIRECTV, that means your local NBC station, so the channel number depends on where you live. The game also streams on Peacock.
These two haven't met since UCLA joined the Big Ten, and both come in hot. UCLA (5-0, 3-0 Big Ten) jumped nine spots to No. 12 in the AP poll after a 17-15 win at then-No. 13 Oregon last Saturday. Wisconsin (4-1, 2-0 Big Ten) has won four straight, including a 24-20 comeback at then-No. 13 Penn State, and arrives rested after an open date. The Badgers sit just outside the Top 25, with 92 votes in this week's AP poll.
Wisconsin vs. UCLA: date, time and channel
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Date | Saturday, October 17, 2026 |
| Kickoff | 7:30 p.m. ET / 6:30 p.m. CT / 4:30 p.m. PT |
| Stadium | Rose Bowl, Pasadena, California |
| TV | NBC |
| DIRECTV channel | Your local NBC station (number varies by market) |
| Streaming | Peacock (separate subscription); the DIRECTV app (local NBC where available) |
| TV crew | Noah Eagle (play-by-play), Todd Blackledge (analyst), Kathryn Tappen (sideline) |
| Rankings | UCLA No. 12 AP; Wisconsin unranked, 92 votes (Oct. 11 AP poll) |
| Records | UCLA 5-0 (3-0 Big Ten); Wisconsin 4-1 (2-0 Big Ten) |
| Head coaches | Bob Chesney (UCLA, first season); Luke Fickell (Wisconsin, fourth season) |
What channel is Wisconsin vs. UCLA on DIRECTV?
NBC doesn't have one national channel number on DIRECTV. You watch it on your local NBC affiliate, which DIRECTV includes with its core packages wherever local channels are offered. Press Guide and look for your NBC station's call letters, or search "Wisconsin" or "UCLA" in the guide. Our guide to what channel NBC is in your area lists stations by market, and if you dropped local channels at some point, here's how to add them back before Saturday.
Here's how the networks carrying Big Ten games this Saturday line up on DIRECTV, as of October 13, 2026:
| Network | DIRECTV channel | Starting package |
|---|---|---|
| NBC | Local NBC station (varies) | Core packages, where local channels are available |
| FOX | Local FOX station (varies) | Core packages, where local channels are available |
| CBS | Local CBS station (varies) | Core packages, where local channels are available |
| BTN (Big Ten Network) | 610 | CHOICE |
| FS1 | 219 | ENTERTAINMENT |
| ESPN | 206 | ENTERTAINMENT |
| Peacock | Not a DIRECTV channel (Peacock app) | Separate subscription |
| MySports Genre Pack | Local channels where available, plus ESPN, ESPN2 and other sports networks | $64.99/mo regular price |
Because this game is on broadcast NBC, any DIRECTV setup with your local stations covers it. If you mostly watch sports, the MySports Genre Pack is the lower-cost option. As of October 13, 2026, DIRECTV lists its regular price at $64.99 a month plus tax, and it runs introductory offers for qualifying new customers, so check the current deal before you sign up. BTN, home to plenty of Big Ten games, is on channel 610 starting with CHOICE. You can compare every tier in our DIRECTV package channel comparison, or call 1-855-690-9884 and we'll confirm your local NBC station at your address.
How to stream Wisconsin vs. UCLA
- Peacock: NBC's Big Ten games stream live on Peacock, so Wisconsin-UCLA is there too. Peacock is a separate subscription that DIRECTV doesn't bill for. The Peacock app comes preloaded on DIRECTV Gemini devices, so you can open it without switching inputs.
- DIRECTV app: watch your local NBC station live on your phone, tablet or streaming device with your DIRECTV login, where local channels are available to stream.
Badgers fans back home get a 6:30 p.m. Central kickoff, and the game starts at 4:30 p.m. in Pasadena and runs into the evening. Check your Peacock login before Saturday so you aren't resetting a password at kickoff.
Big Ten games on DIRECTV, Saturday, October 17
Wisconsin-UCLA is the Big Ten's prime-time game on NBC. Here's the full Saturday lineup of Big Ten conference games, with the DIRECTV channel for each network.
| Game (AP rank, Oct. 11) | Kickoff (ET) | Network | DIRECTV channel |
|---|---|---|---|
| No. 4 Ohio State at No. 5 Indiana | Noon | FOX | Local FOX station |
| No. 25 Northwestern at Michigan State | Noon | Peacock | Streaming only (Peacock app) |
| Rutgers at Maryland | 12:30 p.m. | BTN | 610 |
| Penn State at Michigan | 3:30 p.m. | CBS | Local CBS station |
| Wisconsin at No. 12 UCLA | 7:30 p.m. | NBC | Local NBC station |
| Nebraska at Oregon | 11 p.m. | FOX | Local FOX station |
Our Ohio State vs. Indiana guide covers the noon showdown on FOX, the Penn State vs. Michigan guide covers the 3:30 game on CBS, and the Week 7 college football TV schedule lists games from every conference.
Wisconsin vs. UCLA storylines
- A Rose Bowl rematch, sort of: UCLA leads the all-time series 7-4, but Wisconsin has won the last three meetings. Two of those were Rose Bowl Games in this stadium, to cap the 1993 and 1998 seasons, and the third was a 21-20 Wisconsin win in the 2000 Sun Bowl. This is the first meeting since UCLA joined the Big Ten.
- UCLA's statement win: the Bruins beat Oregon 17-15 in Eugene last Saturday, a low-scoring ranked win that sent them up nine spots, the biggest jump of any team in the poll. They're one of nine unbeaten teams left in the country in Bob Chesney's first season.
- Wisconsin's turnaround: after a season-opening loss to Notre Dame at Lambeau Field, the Badgers have won four in a row. They rallied from 17-0 down to win 24-20 at then-No. 13 Penn State, then beat Michigan State 31-3.
- Defense vs. an unbeaten offense: Wisconsin has allowed 11.5 points per game in Big Ten play, the lowest mark in the conference. Quarterback Colton Joseph leads the Badgers in both passing (1,132 yards) and rushing (262 yards).
- Another ranked test: counting this game, 10 of Wisconsin's last 16 games have been against ranked opponents.
- What's next: Wisconsin hosts No. 19 USC on October 24, and UCLA hosts Michigan State the same day.
UCLA fans who want to revisit the Bruins' big road win can check our UCLA vs. Oregon guide. Need help finding NBC before kickoff? Call American TV at 1-855-690-9884.
Frequently asked questions
What channel is Wisconsin vs. UCLA on DIRECTV?
It's on NBC, so tune to your local NBC station. NBC doesn't have one national DIRECTV channel number, so the number depends on your market, and DIRECTV includes local channels with its core packages wherever they're available.
What time does Wisconsin vs. UCLA start?
Kickoff is 7:30 p.m. ET (6:30 p.m. CT, 4:30 p.m. PT) on Saturday, October 17, 2026, at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California.
Can I stream Wisconsin vs. UCLA?
Yes. NBC's Big Ten games stream live on Peacock, which is a separate subscription that DIRECTV doesn't bill for. The DIRECTV app also carries your local NBC station where local channels are available to stream.
When did Wisconsin and UCLA last play?
Their last meeting was the 2000 Sun Bowl on December 29, 2000, a 21-20 Wisconsin win. UCLA leads the all-time series 7-4, but Wisconsin has won the last three meetings.
Is Wisconsin ranked this week?
No. UCLA is No. 12 in the October 11 AP poll. Wisconsin is unranked at 4-1, though it received 92 votes, the most of any team outside the Top 25.
More Saturday games and local channel help: Notre Dame vs. BYU, plus our DIRECTV channels for Wisconsin and California. Questions about your DIRECTV package? Call 1-855-690-9884.
Details reviewed October 13, 2026. Kickoff times and networks are set by the Big Ten and its TV partners and may change. Rankings are from the October 11 AP poll; records reflect games through October 11. Channel lineups, package contents, offers and prices are as of October 13, 2026, vary by address and may change. Wisconsin, UCLA, Big Ten, NBC, Peacock, DIRECTV and related marks belong to their respective owners. American TV is an independent dealer and resource site.