ESPN to Air Miami-Ole Miss CFP Game In 4K; Latest Odds, TV Providers

By Phillip Swann
The TV Answer Man – Buy Me a Coffee!

ESPN next Thursday (January 8, 2026) will air the third round college football playoff (CFP) game pitting 10th ranked Miami against 6th ranked Ole Miss in upscaled 4K.

The sports network will simulcast the game, which will start at 7:30 p.m. ET, in HD on the regular ESPN channel.

Which TV Providers Will Offer the Game In 4K?
YouTube TV, Dish, Sling TV, DIRECTV, Comcast’s Xfinity TV, Optimum, Charter’s Spectrum TV (on compatible streaming devices) and Verizon are expected to offer the game on their ESPN 4K channels. ESPN does not offer 4K programming on its new Unlimited app.

What Is Upscaled 4K?
The ESPN 4K broadcast will be ‘upscaled’ from 1080p HD.  The upscaled 4K means that the game will be produced in 1080p HD on site and upgraded to 4K for the home transmission. ESPN switched to upscaled 4K a few years ago after previously doing some games in native 4K, which is a 4K production on site transmitted to the home in 4K as well.

Will ESPN Ever Do Native 4K Again?
It’s unlikely that ESPN will revert back to native 4K in the foreseeable future; the industry trend now is upscaling 4K because it saves money.

Who Will the Winner Play Next?
The winner of the Miami-Ole Miss contest will advance to the college football championship game on January 19 and play the winner of the Oregon-Indiana game, which will be played on January 19.

Who’s Expected to Win the Miami-Ole Miss Game?
ESPN’s Matchup Predictor gives Miami (12-2) a 55.6 percent chance of defeating Ole Miss (13-1) while the latest odds make Miami a 3-point favorite.

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