What TV channel is Alabama-Michigan on today? Free live stream CFP’s Rose Bowl online

What TV channel is Alabama-Michigan on today? Free live stream CFP’s Rose Bowl online

The first of two College Football Playoff semifinals takes place when No. 4 Alabama faces No. 1 Michigan in the Rose Bowl in Pasadena on Monday, Jan. 1. The game will be live streamed on DirecTV Stream (free trial) and fuboTV (free trial and $20 off the first two months).

Nick Saban and Jim Harbaugh are among the few larger-than-life figures still standing.

Saban has won six national championships at Alabama, establishing the most successful program of the 21st century. Harbaugh has completely revitalized his alma mater, reaching three straight College Football Playoffs at Michigan with style and controversy.

They’ll face off on opposite sidelines for only the second time Monday in the Rose Bowl. The Crimson Tide (12-1) take on the Wolverines (13-0) in a tantalizing CFP semifinal pitting the two winningest schools in major college football.

In no small part because of the coaching matchup, this 110th edition of the Granddaddy of Them All is also one of the most anticipated games in the 10-year history of the playoff, with the winner headed to Houston next week to face Washington or Texas for a title.

Yet to varying degrees, Saban and Harbaugh both reflect the truism that the price of incredible success is an inability to enjoy it, at least while it’s happening.

Alabama hasn’t gone more than three seasons between national championships in Saban’s 17-year tenure, but the Tide need to win this one to keep the streak alive. Saban is also back at the venerable stadium where he won his first national title for Alabama, beating Texas in 2010.

Most observers agree Saban did one of the most impressive coaching jobs of his career this year. After getting two new coordinators in the offseason, Saban revitalized a team that stumbled in September and led it to 11 consecutive wins and an SEC title.

When is Alabama-Michigan?

Alabama and Michigan play at 4 p.m. (5 p.m. ET) on Monday, Jan. 1.

Will it be live streamed?

DirecTV Stream

DirecTV Stream offers a free trial.

There are four options of DirecTV Stream:

The Entertainment Package, which consists of 65+ channels, is $54.99 until the promotion runs out April 30. It’s the basic package for can’t-miss entertainment – including ESPN, TNT, Nickelodeon and HGTV.

The Choice Package has more than 90 channels and is $74.99 during the promotion. The channels in ENTERTAINMENT, plus MLB Network, NBA TV, college sports networks, and more. Enjoy Regional Sports Networks with no additional fees.

The Ultimate Package has more than 130 channels and is $89.99 during the promotion. Everything in CHOICE, plus Oxygen, Golf Channel, NHL Network, Universal Kids and more.

The Premier Package has more than 140 channels and is $134.99 during the promotion. Everything in ULTIMATE, plus HBO Max, SHOWTIME, STARZ, Cinemax and more.

DirecTV Stream offers a free trial that doesn’t require much effort.

To sign up, enter a phone number, email address and credit card, and you’ll receive five days of the service without charge.

In addition, enhance your experience with the DirecTV Stream device. While it doesn’t include a free trial, it give you access to thousands of apps like Netflix and more on Google Play. You can search using the voice remote with Google Assistant, and you can enjoy a traditional live TV channel guide. It is sold separately.

FuboTV

The game will be live streamed on fuboTV, which offers a free trial. The most basic of plans is the “fubo pro” package, which comprises 146-plus channels for $74.99 per month. Like all cord-cutting alternatives, there are plenty of options, especially for sports. It comes with more than 1,000 hours of cloud-based DVR, and up to 10 screens at once.

There is also the “fubo elite” package, which comprises 205-plus channels for $84.99 per month. It comes with fuboExtra (48 more channels) and News Plus (11 more channels). Plus, more than 1,000 hours of cloud-based DVR, and up to 10 screens at once.

The “fubo premiere” package is “fubo elite” with the addition of Showtime for $94.99 per month.

Will it be televised?

The Crimson Tide and Wolverines will be broadcast on ESPN.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.