What channel is the Kent State game on? Here's how to watch, stream the MAC Football Championship

Chris Pugh, Akron Beacon Journal
·2 min read

Kent State has a chance to take home its first conference title since 1972 as the team will face Northern Illinois at noon Saturday in Ford Field.

“We've been talking about the fight all year, and the fight was to earn the right to go to Detroit, to create this prizefight opportunity,” Kent State head football coach Sean Lewis said. “It's great that everyone in the community is saying these great things about us, and there’s all this positive pub and all these amazing things that are happening. But now I think the biggest thing for us is to get refocused.

"We’ve got to make sure we do a great job of refocusing and working our process this week at a championship level, because this is the championship moment that we’ve been working so hard for.”

Kent State (7-5, 6-2) defeated Miami last week 48-47 in overtime, while Northern Illinois lost to Western Michigan 42-21.

The Golden Flashes, the MAC East champs, beat Northern Illinois, the MAC West champs, 52-47 on Nov. 3.

Here's how to watch Saturday's Mid-American Championship Game.

Kent State right guard Nate Monnin (left) blocks a Texas A&M defender during the 2021 season opener in College Station.
Kent State right guard Nate Monnin (left) blocks a Texas A&M defender during the 2021 season opener in College Station.

How to watch Kent State football vs. Northern Illinois?

The MAC title game is noon Saturday, Dec. 4 and will be on ESPN.

Here are the announcers:

  • Jason Benetti (play by play)

  • Andre Ware (analyst)

  • Paul Carcaterra (sideline)

Here is the Kent State radio broadcast information:

  • WHLO (640-AM)

  • Rob Polinsky (play-by-play)

  • Chase Farris (analyst)

Is there a Kent State vs. Northern Illinois livestream?

Yes. Kent State-Northern Illinois can be streamed in a variety of ways if your streaming provider offers ESPN, like Hulu live. The game will also be available on the ESPN app.

Kent State football players celebrate a MAC East Division victory over Miami in overtime at Dix Stadium on Saturday, November 27, 2021.
Kent State football players celebrate a MAC East Division victory over Miami in overtime at Dix Stadium on Saturday, November 27, 2021.

What's the spread of the Kent State vs. Northern Illinois game?

Favorite: Kent State by 2.5 points (odds by Tipico)

Over/Under: 53.5

What happened the last time Kent State played Northern Illinois?

Last meeting: Kent State won 52-47 on Nov. 3, 2021.

Kent State celebrates their 38-0 win over Akron to capture the Wagon Wheel on Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021 in Akron, Ohio, at InfoCision Stadium.
Kent State celebrates their 38-0 win over Akron to capture the Wagon Wheel on Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021 in Akron, Ohio, at InfoCision Stadium.

When will Kent State learn which bowl game it'll play in?

The College Football Playoff selection show is at noon Sunday. Following the reveal of the College Football Playoff, ESPN will have a bowl game selection show.

Kent State is bowl eligible for the second time in three season under Lewis, and won the 2019 Tropical Smoothie Frisco Bowl against Nevada, 51-41.

USA Today recently projected Kent State to play Georgia State in the Lending Tree Bowl in Mobile, Ala. on Dec. 18.

Chris Pugh can be reached at clpugh@gannett.com and on Twitter at @chrispughedits.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: How to watch Kent State football in the MAC Championship