ESPN is televising the Division III football semifinals as it did last year, but those expecting to simply click on a link and watch video feeds like we do most of the season might run into trouble on Saturday. The best advice I can give is to test out whichever method you plan to watch the game well in advance of kickoffs, as there are several hoops to jump through.
ESPN3 is showing the live feed of both games. The network’s online channel also archives the games, so in case you miss it, you’ll be able to pull it up later. This is also good if you’re interested in both games, since they run concurrently.
Here’s the link for Mary Hardin-Baylor at Mount Union. That kicks off at 2 p.m. EST, not noon local time, which is standard for D-III playoff games.
It also airs on ESPNU on Thursday, Dec. 13 at 1 p.m. ET.
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Here’s the link for UW-Oshkosh at St. Thomas, which kicks off at 3.
It also airs on ESPNU on Friday, Dec. 14 at 1 p.m. ET
Our D3football.com scoreboard page is still the best place for live updates during the games, and links to live stats, audio and the video.
ESPN3 is not necessarily available to everyone, though. You need to subscribe to certain cable or internet providers to get access. The game is not being televised live on any channel. It’s online, and you need to figure out which ESPN3 rules apply to you. Here’s their FAQ. (There’s a distinction between ESPN3 and WatchESPN explained there too, but I’m not sure it’s terribly important for our purposes).
Me, for example, I wouldn’t get access through my television provider because I use DirecTV, which is not on the list. However, I get internet through Verizon and I have an XBox Live account, so that gives me two options. I’ve also downloaded and tested the Watch ESPN iPhone app.
I would advise you to read through all these rules and test out your system during a non-D-III live event on Friday night or early Saturday morning. It might be easy for you. It might be a hassle. But the last thing you want is to wait until kickoff to find out.
Failing those options, here’s a link I found on how to set up a free ESPN3 account when your ISP provider doesn’t give you access. I haven’t tested it out, but if you’re this far down the list of options, anything is worth a shot.
The games will be replayed on ESPNU, as noted above, but next Thursday and Friday, at 1 p.m., meaning it’s probably only useful to rewatch the teams who advanced as they get ready for Friday’s 7 p.m. Stagg Bowl. The national championship will be televised live on both ESPNU and ESPN3.
If you’re anywhere near St. Paul or Alliance, Ohio on Saturday, your best bet is to just be there in the stands.
Well I’m screwed as I do not have the service provider to watch the game on ESPN 3. I tried to log on to the free option by using AT&T and they are not accepting registrations at this time. I think it’s a shame that everyone can’t access the game.
I had my laptop hooked up to my 50 inch tv ready to go. I can’t believe a game at this level that everyone does not have the damn opportunity to see it.
If anyone out there has any ideas on how I can access the game, let me know.
Well just tried to download the watch ESPN app and watch it. Still can’t access it as I don’t have a cable provider that is listed. Sucks big time!
YEAH WHAT GO Cru said
Hey MIAC/Bethel fan here, If your willing to head out to a sports bar with lots of TV’s I bet they will setup BOTH games on a couple screens for you. (maybe call to make sure they have the feed) I did that last year when I was out with friends watching KU basketball and was curious how St Thomas was doing against UWW. After asking, the sports bar/grill I was at switched several tvs to the d3 semi-final games.
I got to educate people around me/friends about how cool the D3 playoffs are!
(I was in KS not MN so it was not the local feed it was likely part of the gameplan/payperview packages) Some sports bars even have those wireless audio boxes so its even possible to get sound.
Another option is you could find someone who has espn 3 w/remote access. They would have to be willing to give you their account info/password but it might work.
Espn 3/watch espn has a lot of restrictions and it just has not been picked up by enough cable/internet providers. That limited reach for a media company as powerful as espn (owned by disney) is annoying. My cable Co. just started offering espn3 but only while at home not remotely. Anyways, hope everyone finds a way to watch the games today. They should be great games!