College football is absolutely on fire this season, and through just the first seven weeks, Texas’ wild comeback win over Ohio State in Week 2 has emerged as the undisputed king of viewership. That game pulled in a staggering 13.99 million viewers, becoming the first game of the year to even crack the 10 million mark, averaging nearly 14 million for ABC. The game was a jaw-dropper, with the Longhorns battling back from a monstrous 23-3 deficit in the fourth quarter to snatch a 24-23 victory from the then-top ranked Buckeyes. Arch Manning threw a touchdown in that final frame, and Hollywood Smothers ran in two scores, including the game-winner. Talk about a statement game right out of the gate!
SEC Showdowns Delivering Massive Numbers
It wasn’t just the Longhorns bringing in the eyeballs, though. Week 6 saw another epic clash between Georgia and Alabama, which brought in 12.24 million viewers for ABC. This one went down to the wire at Bryant-Denny Stadium, with the Bulldogs pulling out a 20-17 victory. Gunner Stockton was a beast for Georgia, going 18-for-22 for 249 yards, a touchdown, and even added a rushing touchdown. That win, paired with Texas’ loss to Oklahoma, shot Georgia straight to No. 1 in the AP Top 25. Then there was the Week 3 showdown between LSU and Ole Miss, which captivated 10.9 million viewers on ABC. This was a super anticipated game, marking Lane Kiffin’s return to Oxford. Trinidad Chambliss went off, completing 33 of 48 passes for 363 yards and two aerial touchdowns, plus he sealed the deal with the game-winning rushing touchdown with just over six minutes left in the fourth quarter. These are the kinds of games that make you clear your Saturday schedule.
Ohio State Still a Draw, Even in Heartbreak
Despite the tough loss to Texas, Ohio State remains a massive draw for viewers. In Week 7, their battle against Indiana on FOX still garnered 10.38 million viewers. The fact that the Buckeyes can bring in those kinds of numbers, even after a monumental upset, just shows how much the nation tunes in for these programs. With the season hitting its stride, it’s clear that college football’s surge in TV ratings from last year is absolutely continuing. These early matchups have set an insane standard, and it makes you wonder what other monster viewership numbers we’re going to see as these teams battle it out weekly on the national stage.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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