ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, SEC Network, ACC Network to Air 18 Shows Tonight: The 3 to Watch

By Phillip Swann
The TV Answer Man – Follow me on X.

ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, SEC Network and ACC Network tonight (January 12, 2026) will air 18 shows and sporting events. Here are the three to watch, in my humble opinion:

Monday Night Football: Texans at Steelers (NFL playoff game) 
Where to Watch: ESPN
When to Watch: 8 p.m.
Who’s In It: Aaron Rodgers, C.J. Stroud
The 12-5 Houston Texans invade the Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh to play the 10-7 Steelers in first round NFL playoff action. The Texans, led by QB1 C.J. Stroud, are a three-point favorite to defeat Pittsburgh. The Steelers are paced by 42-year-old QB Aaron Rodgers who has been leaking oil all season but still managed to drive his team to the first round.

Monday Night Football: Alternate Cast
Where to Watch: ESPN2
When to Watch: 8 p.m.
Who’s In It: Eli and Peyton Manning, Ben Roethlisberger and J.J. Watt.
Former Steeler QB Big Ben Roethlisberger and Texans defensive lineman J.J. Watt join the Manning brothers tonight to dissect the Steelers-Texans game in real time. If you’ve never watched a ‘Manningcast,’ it’s an informative and very funny way to watch a game. Highly recommended even if it’s just for 15 minutes or so.

Southern Hoops: A History of SEC Basketball
Where to Watch: ESPNU
When to Watch: 7 p.m.-2 a.m.
Who’s In It: Adolph Rupp, Charles Barkley and a cast of thousands
ESPNU tonight will air a massive seven-hour documentary on 90 plus years of SEC basketball. Charles Barkley. Pete Maravich. Dan Issel. Shaquille O’Neal. Bernard King. They are all there and plenty more. If you love SEC basketball, this is catnip for you.

Shows & Live Sports Coming Tonight (January 12, 2026) to ESPN, ESPN2, SEC Network, ESPNU and ACC Network (All times Eastern.)

ESPN
NFL Football: Texans at Steelers (Playoff game) – 8 p.m.
Monday Night Postgame – 11: 15 p.m.
Sports Center With Scott Van Pelt – 11:30 p.m.

ESPN2
NFL Football: Texans at Steelers Alternate Cast with Eli and Peyton Manning – 8 p.m.
Monday Night Postgame – 11:15 p.m.
30 for 30: “Survive and Advance” – Jim Valvano’s N.C. State upset over Houston in the 1983 NCAA college basketball championship game.

ESPNU
Southern Hoops: A History of SEC Basketball (1930-1959) – 7 p.m,
Southern Hoops: A History of SEC Basketball (1960-1970s) – 8 p.m.
Southern Hoops: A History of SEC Basketball (1971-1979) – 9 p.m.
Southern Hoops: A History of SEC Basketball (1980-1989) – 10 p.m.
Southern Hoops: A History of SEC Basketball (1990-1998) – 11 p.m.
Southern Hoops: A History of SEC Basketball (1998-2010) – Midnight
Southern Hoops: A History of SEC Basketball (2011-2022) – 1 a.m.

ACC Network
Miami vs. Ohio State at the 2025 Cotton Bowl (repeat) – 7 p.m.
Miami vs. Ole Miss at the Fiesta Bowl (repeat) – 10 p..m.

SEC Network
Women’s College Basketball: Alabama vs. Clemson – 7 p.m.
SEC Now – 9 p.m.-11 p.m.
Women’s College Basketball: Georgia at South Carolina.

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