How to Watch Iowa Hawkeyes Football Without Cable

The Iowa Hawkeys are looking forward to a strong season in 2024. You can watch all every game online with streaming services.

In a hurry? Hawkeyes fans can follow the whole season with these services:

Unfortunately, we don’t know a streaming service in that offers this TV channel/sport. But if you’ve already paid for the right service, and just can’t watch because of your location, there is an easy way to get the sports, movies, and TV you deserve. You need a VPN, like one of the following.

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If you’re overwhelmed and not sure where to begin, you’ll find all the answers in our full VPN guide.

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There’s nothing like being in Iowa City on gameday, going to Kinnick Stadium as you hear the Hawkeye Marching Band play the “Iowa Fight Song,” “On Iowa,” and “Roll Along Iowa” and watch the University of Iowa team take on Big Ten opposition.

What’s the next best thing? Watching Iowa football games without cable, whether from home or while you’re on the go on a busy fall Saturday. But how can you do that? We’ll answer that question.

This Week’s Hawkeyes Football Game

Iowa Hawkeyes Football Channels

The first thing to consider is which channels will be broadcasting Iowa Hawkeyes matchups. The Big Ten television contracts are with NBC, CBS, Big Ten Network, FS1, and Fox, and Iowa will be on all of those networks at least once apiece. Also note that the Big Ten has an exclusive streaming contract with Peacock, so it is possible that the Hawkeyes will be exclusively shown on that as well.

Those television contracts apply to all conference games that the Hawkeyes play as well as non-conference tilts in Iowa City, but Iowa does not have any non-conference away games in 2024 anyway. However, the hope is for the team to participate in the postseason, and you may want to also get ESPN as all College Football Playoff games will be on it as will most bowl matchups.

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Streaming Iowa Hawkeyes Football

Several streaming services will allow you to watch the Hawkeyes play without a cable subscription. In fact, DIRECT STREAM, Fubo, Hulu + Live TV, and YouTube TV all offer each of the channels that will show Iowa in 2024 as well as ESPN, which might. Those networks are available in their base plans.

Fubo

Fubo offers BTN, CBS, FOX, FS1, and NBC in its base 150+ channel package starting at $79.99/mo. The Elite plan provides the Fox 4K channel. All plans come with unlimited cloud DVR storage and streaming on up to 10 devices simultaneously.

See our Fubo review for all the details.

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DIRECTV STREAM

DIRECTV STREAM offers all the channels you need in its Choice Package for $108.99/mo, which is a great one for sports fans since it also gives you access to the best selection of RSNs in the industry.

All DIRECTV STREAM plans come with unlimited cloud DVR storage and simultaneous streaming for devices connected to your home Wi-Fi.

For more information, see our DIRECTV STREAM review.

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Hulu + Live TV

Hulu + Live TV provides all the channels you need in its base plan for $76.99/mo. It includes 100+ live TV channels along with ESPN+ and Disney+. You also get unlimited cloud DVR storage and simultaneous streaming on up to 2 devices.

Our Hulu Live review has more.

Try Hulu + Live TV for 3 Days Free!

YouTube TV

YouTube TV offers a similar plan to Hulu Live (but without Disney+ and ESPN+) for $72.99/mo.

Sling TV Offers Limited Access

Sling TV could mostly work as well but not nearly as easily. If you get its Blue plan with the Sports Extra add-on, you will receive the Big Ten Network and FS1 as well as Fox or NBC in select markets. If you are not in these markets, you could set up a digital antenna.

Note that CBS is not available through Sling TV. You could combine it with Paramount+, however.

Meanwhile, Sling’s Orange + Blue plan will get you ESPN through the Orange half of it.

Get all the details in our Sling TV review.

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Iowa Hawkeyes Football

The Iowa Hawkeyes are coming off an appearance in the Big Ten Championship Game and are hoping to do the same in 2024 although that task will be a difficult one for three primary reasons.

1. The conference has removed divisions, so being in the weaker West Division will no longer be a way to get into the title game. That contest will instead feature the top two overall teams in the conference standings.
2. The league has four more teams in it, so there is much more competition for those two coveted spots.
3. Iowa’s offense has been quite poor. For example, the team put up back-to-back goose eggs to end the 2023 season, falling to Michigan in the Big Ten Championship Game, 26-0, before getting outscored by Tennessee in the Citrus Bowl, 35-0.

2024 Hawkeyes Personnel

There is a change in leadership that is giving Hawkeye fans hope. Brian Ferentz, the son of head coach Kirk Ferentz, had been the offensive coordinator but was let go in 2023. His replacement is Tim Lester, who served as Western Michigan’s head coach from 2017-2022.

Senior quarterback Cade McNamara will likely take the reins of the offense after recovering from a knee injury suffered in 2023. If he falters, junior Brendan Sullivan, a transfer from Northwestern, might take over. Otherwise, arguably the best player on this side of the ball will be senior tight end Luke Lachey.

However, the defense, other than the forgettable final two games of the campaign, was rock solid throughout 2023, only allowing more than 16 points once prior to that point. It is led by defensive coordinator Phil Parker, who was awarded the AFCA Assistant Coach of the Year and Broyles Awards in 2023.

And most of the top defensive players from last season are returning. This group includes the heart of the defense in linebackers Nick Jackson and Jay Higgins, both seniors. Higgins topped the Big Ten and ranked third nationally in tackles that year.

Behind them is a solid secondary with Quinn Schulte, Sebastian Castro, and Jermari Harris, all seniors, helping lead the way in that area of the field.

Iowa finished last season 24th in the Associated Press poll and 22nd in the Coaches poll. The Hawkeyes are expected to either have a top-25 season again or be just outside of the national rankings.

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2024 Iowa Hawkeyes Football Schedule

The schedule opens, as is usual, with three non-conference games although the middle one is the always heated rivalry matchup with Iowa State for the Cy-Hawk Trophy, which will be in Iowa City. As far as Big Ten play goes, the opener on September 21 is against another rival in Minnesota; that one is away. Meanwhile home games with rivals Wisconsin and Nebraska will be played on November 2 and 29.

Wrapping Up

It is relatively easy to watch the Iowa Hawkeyes play football games without cable. You should be all set with Fubo, DIRECTV STREAM, or Hulu + Live TV although you might need to also secure access to Peacock, at least briefly. (Two Iowa games in 2023 were shown exclusively on that streaming service.)

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FAQs

Are the Hawkeyes making a West Coast trip in 2024?

Yes, Iowa is making a West Coast trip in 2024 as the Big Ten welcomes four teams from that part of the country. On November 8, the Hawkeyes will play in the Rose Bowl against UCLA. Also, 2023 national runner-up Washington will be making a trip to Iowa City on October 12.

How can I watch teams other than the Hawkeyes without cable?

Our college football and college bowl games guides provide overall information. We also have team-specific guides:

Featured image created from People Watching Football Game by Terrance Barksdale.

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Frank Moraes

Frank Moraes is Content Editor at HotDog.com. He specializes in streaming, sports, and technology. You can see his writing on low-budget and "weird" film at Psychotronic Review — and many other places.

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