Another Poster Who Needs Help Watching the UMass Game (Haters Need Not Read)

Submitted by bklein09 on

I know these kinds of questions are asked all the time, but I really want to watch the Michigan game live on Saturday and need some help doing so. 

I live in the Eugene/Corvallis, OR area. I have Comcast. I have BTN (only $5.99/month!). 

BUT I don't have the alternate channels. Now the BTN Gamefinder says I will be getting the Michigan game on my primary BTN channel. However, when I look at the Comcast guide it says I will be getting Ohio State (which seems more likely because of the high ranking and non-1AA opponent). 

So my next obvious move is to go to a bar right? Well the only problem is that Michigan kicks off at 9am out here, leaving very few if any options that are both open that early and would have the game.

So what can I do? Is there a way I will be able to watch it online? What are torrents? Seriously, I always hear this torrent thing but have no clue what it is. Can you watch games on torrents live as they are happening? I don't care about watching a game on my computer, as long as I get to watch it. 

Anyways, I appreciate any help I can get here. I apologize again for this thread, but I can't be the only one in this situation, so hopefully it will help some others out as well.

Go Blue!

EDIT: After some very helpful comments from you guys I was able to track down some bars in both Eugene and Corvallis that open early on Saturdays and will probably carry the game. Sam's Place in Eugene as suggested below opens at 9am and will carry the game. Villard's near campus opens at 8am. In Corvallis, Tommy's 4th Street and the Peacock Bar and Grill both open early and will more than likely have the game. Thanks for all your MGoHelp!

NateVolk

September 15th, 2010 at 12:35 PM ^

I'll keep my eyes open for answers for sure. I never stopped to consider the downside of the noon east coast kickoffs for west coast residents if the game isn't on TV.

But I got nothing for you. I know someone will be able to help.

You can do old school live stream radio on www.mgoblue.com if worse comes to worse.  Doesn't answer your question, but...

Nosce Te Ipsum

September 15th, 2010 at 12:42 PM ^

You can try channelsurfing.net or any of the other sites that are similar. That is if you don't mind watching on your computer. Maybe do that for the first half and then you can go to the bar. Hopefully others will have better ideas for you. Good luck.

Mitch Again

September 15th, 2010 at 12:48 PM ^

Do you know anyone in Michigan that has a Slingbox?  If so, ask if you can log into their account to watch the game.  If you don't know anybody here that owns a slingbox, tell them to go to Best Buy, spend $180 and pick one up.  Then after the game, return it.  Case closed.

Wolverine 98284

September 15th, 2010 at 12:50 PM ^

Before I had Dish, which has all the BTN overflow, I called around to several of the sports bars and found one that opened early, served breakfast and was going to show the game.  Told the waitress I'd be there for the entire game, ate breakfast and lunch and tipped appropriately.

Else, I live north of Seattle if you want to come by...

Super J

September 15th, 2010 at 12:50 PM ^

I have the same problem with comcast and the west coast.  I also have 150 foot lodge pole pines all around my house making Direct TV impossible to get.  Cutting the forest is not an option around here with the owls in the trees because the woods would be flooded with huggers.  Hooters, Buffalo Wild Wings and the other sports bars don't open until 10am or some at noon.  I will just have to suck it up and watch the replay at 10 pm west coast time.  I hoped with the BTN would end up carrying this game on the main channel.  However, I never expected to get to see next weeks game instead and ESPN picked it up.  So I call it a wash.  I might already know the score and see all of the highlights, but I will now get to watch every game now.  So it is cool.

EGD

September 15th, 2010 at 12:58 PM ^

Assuming you want to watch the live broadcast, it looks like you will not be able to get the game at home and will have to head out someplace.  (I assume you are not willing to change your cable provider; if you are, both Direct TV and DISH Network carry the BTN-Alt channels).

So, where do you go?  I think it is unlikely that neither Corvallis or Eugene, college towns that they are, would have a sports bar open for the early games on Saturday.  I live in Seattle and there are several bars open early for football, including multiple UM-friendly locations.  If not, then if you are willing to drive a bit, I am certain you could find something in Portland if not Salem. 

Another possibility is coffee shops, which are obviously going to be open at 9:00 a.m.  While still not the norm, some coffee shops are starting to put in TV sets and broadcast sports--espcially European soccer matches.  I wouldn't be surprised if there are a few of those in your area.

houstongolfnut

September 15th, 2010 at 1:02 PM ^

Since moving around after college, I've lived in NYC, Denver, Austin, and Houston.  Every city I've lived in has had a "Michigan" bar that catered to U of M fans.  I'd imagine there has to be a bar that opens early for noon games though, whether it's a Michigan bar or not.  I'd just ask around.

bklein09

September 15th, 2010 at 1:20 PM ^

Portland has a great Michigan bar: The Thirsty Lion

But I was hoping to not have to drive up there if possible. I actually have tickets to the ORST vs. Louisville game which is later in the day.

Of course I would consider skipping the ORST game so I could watch Mich in Portland. But trying to do both would be tight because of timing. 

NickUmich

September 15th, 2010 at 1:04 PM ^

I live in Eugene too...a bunch of Eugene Wolverines got together to watch the Notre Dame game. It was awesome. I was also wondering about how to watch the game too since I found the same info you did. Now I am going out of town, so I guess it's moot for me. I just want to say hey to a fellow Eugene Wolverine. Good luck finding the game. Go Blue!

bklein09

September 15th, 2010 at 1:24 PM ^

Awesome!

Ya, my fiance is in law school at U of O and there are around 6 Michigan grads across the three years of students. I know they get together occasionally as well. 

It would be great to set up a Michigan Alumni Chapter in Eugene, or at least a subchapter of the Portland group. 

That way we could find a friendly bar that opens early and caters to us Wolverines. 

Do you know how we could go about doing something like this?

FGB

September 15th, 2010 at 1:46 PM ^

there's a place called Sam's Place on the West side of town that's good for sports, tons of TVs, and a little out of the way so you won't get inundated with Ducks (over in the industrial part of town).

I have yet to go there (out of town this weekend) and know nothing about their channel selection or hours, and their website seems to suck and not load the pages properly. So I can't vouch for it at this point, but you might consider at least inquiring what their set up is.

Steve in PA

September 15th, 2010 at 1:04 PM ^

I capture and record games for myself although I have shared them in the past.  One thing I want to experiment with is capturing a file and uploading it at the same time.  for example, I can play a captured file on my PC while it is capturing much like timeshifting on a TIVO.

With linux, I can mount a remote location just like a hard drive so in theory I could capture to the remote location and then watch it at the same time.  I think one could also stream it from one PC to another with a known ip address using VLC.  

Maybe the experts could chime in and let me know if this would work?

CRex

September 15th, 2010 at 1:13 PM ^

I'd see about using something like JustinTV or something as a go between, it's easier than posting up your IP (and letting it across your router which is likely NAT).  something that basically lets you rebroadcast your screen with everyone using a Flash website as the middleman (instead of figuring out your IP, mounting, etc).

Edit: As an example http://www.justin.tv/cinestars02#/w/388631968/3 is currently streaming Ghost Rider.  I'm not sure of the details for Linux, basically grab their software, set up an account and broadcast your screen and post a link to the channel somewhere.

CRex

September 15th, 2010 at 1:05 PM ^

I'm going to be overseas come the UMass so I'll be scrambling for a streaming link.  If I find anything I'll post up a thread or ask a mod to stick it in the LiveBlog (if there is one).  If anyone else finds a link hopefully they'll do the same.  To anyone with a Media PC, help your brethen out and toss up a JustinTV or some sort of link so I can see us walk over our cupcake.  

Your best bet is either to find a place to watch it at or hope on the boards ~30 minutes before kick off and hope one of us managed to find a link.

Wolfman

September 15th, 2010 at 1:22 PM ^

He lives in L.A., which I realize is much, much larger than Eugene.  However, in almost any city in the U.S. of decent size - 80K and above - you should be able to locate your first option, a bar, with minimum difficulty.  My son said he located three within 10 mins of his home - by vehicle - that allows him to watch almost every UM game,albeit with the 9am kickoff.  

Problem now(not for him), but for a worried father is even with a noon kickoff PST, he seems to like to get to the bar at 9 am, have a Mary or two, and eat breakfast and watching the noon games est, as well. I wish you good luck, but I'm almost certain this would be your best bet.  

CRex

September 15th, 2010 at 2:03 PM ^

Assuming your son has ever tailgated at Michigan, consuming one or two mixed drinks before kickoff represent a major reduction in morning drinking.  We had food coming off the grill by 7 am and at least two kegs tapped by a noon kickoff normally.  We only managed to tap one before UConn, but that's because we're old and slow (mid 20s and early 30s now). 

Rasmus

September 15th, 2010 at 2:29 PM ^

If the OSU game has been picked up by ABC/ESPN2U, then it's possible BTN knows about it but Comcast does not.

So while you should prepare for the likelihood that Michigan won't be on the primary BTN channel, be sure to check on Saturday...

TheMadGrasser

September 15th, 2010 at 2:34 PM ^

When I was in Austin last weekend at the Texas game, I was streaming the ND game on my Droid from atdhe.net. That would be your best bet if you can't find a bar, which I'm sure there are some that open at 9 am.

I live in Newport Beach and there's one Michigan bar around in Tustin, I think. I'm gonna have to head up there. Anyone know any other Southern Cal Michigan bars?

TheOracle6

September 15th, 2010 at 4:22 PM ^

Thank you to all for the info, I also needed a place to stream or watch the game here in upstate NY (rochester) and can't find any Michigan bars or anyone with direct tv to let me watch it.  Definitely going to stream it online and listen to the radio broadcast as well.