Expect this week's Miami-USF game to set a ratings record for the CW Network. That is, if anyone can find the CW network on their cable or streaming service.
It's safe to say that fans are a little perturbed about this one and have some serious anger towards the ACC, but thankfully it hasn't affected their sense of humor about the silliness of the whole thing.
CW execs looking at #5 Miami vs. #18 USF pic.twitter.com/n0OcBjXVTr
— The off-season (@TheOffSeasonCFB) September 7, 2025
Normally, the CW will air an ACC game from the lower-end of the conference in terms of TV attractiveness, like, say, Boston College vs. Stanford. But through dumb luck, the network will air a matchup featuring the No. 5 Canes and No. 18. Bulls at 4:30 p.m.
Yes, 4:30 p.m., which means you can watch most of the first half of the 3:30 p.m. game you choose
Guessing The CW never imagined it would get a game like this when it picked up the ACC’s D package a couple years ago.
— Stewart Mandel (@slmandel) September 7, 2025
No. 18 USF at No. 5 Miami next week.
The CW and the ACC, sitting in a tree
The CW acquired the broadcasting rights to the "third-tier" ACC package that's owned by Raycom and ESPN back in 2023. That gives them rights to air 13 ACC football games a season and a solid number of basketball games through the end of the 2026-27 academic year.
The ACC acquisition was a big move for the CW's attempt to become more of a sports-centric network. They also have rights to Washington State and Oregon State football games as well as the NASCAR "B" series and WWE NXT. At one time, the network held the rights to LIV Golf, and even they thought that was a bad investment.
So far this season, the CW has struck gold with its ACC package. Last week, the network got to show a pretty fun Baylor/SMU game that went to overtime and this week they get a top-20 matchup. There is a TV executive out there that deserves a raise!
Oh, but it gets even worse
The CW does have an app to view the network broadcasts and, even better, it's FREE! That would be great news if the app was allowed to stream games live, but it's not. The USF-Miami will show up on the app Sunday as a next-day replay.
So if you go to the game, you can download the app and watch it again the next day. Otherwise you might have to purchase a digital antenna box.