ESPN Unlimited and The CW deliver the California @ SMU match, with Thom Brennaman in charge

The big one for 24 October 2026 is the California @ SMU game in the NCAA Division I Fitness Benchmark Series, and it goes live at 17:00 UK time. If you want to follow it, the two main screens are ESPN Unlimited and The CW, with The CW's world feed also carrying the action. For those tuning in for the first time, this is a classic two-team matchup: the California team takes on the role of the lead player, while SMU step up as the challenger. A clean run here is worth its weight in a season that is already throwing plenty of tough games at the board.

The broadcast is being run by The CW's 2026 college football team, and the play-by-play belongs to Thom Brennaman. He is back for his third year as lead play-by-play commentator for the ACC games, and he has settled in comfortably alongside the analyst pair of Jason Cabinda in the booth and Wes Bryant running the sideline. The CW announced this lineup earlier this season, confirming that the veteran broadcaster is returning to lead a roster that has clearly been put together with care.

Who is on the mic

Thom Brennaman has been the face of the play-by-play for a while now, and his return for a third straight year is a good sign that the CW's coverage is sticking with a format that works. He is a veteran figure in college football broadcasting, and the network's press material notes his long-standing relationship with the sport's broadcast tradition. Fans of the booth will recognise the rhythm he brings to these games.

Jason Cabinda and Wes Bryant round out the team nicely. Jason Cabinda is called in as the booth analyst, tracking the numbers and the matchup details, while Wes Bryant sits on the sideline to describe the physical run and the moment-to-moment picture. Together the three of them cover the full spectrum from strategy to execution, which is exactly what these games reward.

Where to watch

Head to The CW's college football coverage for background on how the network is approaching the 2026 season, and then go straight to ESPN Unlimited or The CW for the California @ SMU game itself. Tune in around 17:00 UK time on 24 October 2026 and you should catch the whole thing from start to finish. Whether you are a fan of the California team or rooting for SMU, this one is shaping up to be a proper test, and the CW team is in a strong position to break it down for you.

Article generated: 24 October 2026, 05:01 GMT