Weekend ratings predictions.

First, the results of last week’s predictions.

MLB on FOX, Regional action. Prediction: 2.1. Final rating: 1.6. MLB on FOX ends its season with another double-digit decline. The 1.6 for regional coverage marks an 11% drop from a 1.8 rating for games on the comparable date last season.
MLB on FOX, Regional action (9/22). Prediction: 2.0. Final rating: 1.8. For four of the last five weeks of regular season coverage, baseball on FOX failed to draw a 2.0 rating.
College football on ABC, Regional action. Prediction: 3.8. Final rating: 4.7. Five regionalized contests, including the battle between Cal and Oregon, help ABC to a 34% jump in ratings. Considering some of the relatively large drops in ratings for national games, could ESPN consider more regional contests on ABC next season?
College football on CBS, Florida State/Alabama. Prediction: 4.5. Final rating: 2.5. Two of the most famous college football programs in the country, playing in a game with a late afternoon start, did little more than inspire yawns across America last Saturday. The 2.5 rating for FSU/Alabama was down 26% from Florida/Alabama last year, and the Florida/Auburn game later that night on cable drew a rating 24% higher.
Saturday Night Football on ABC, USC/Washington. Prediction: 4.0. Final rating: 3.6. A 27% decline for a close game. Perhaps viewers are tiring of USC?
NASCAR on ABC, LifeLock 400. Prediction: 3.6. Final rating: 3.1. NASCAR keeps falling on ABC. The 3.1 for the rain-soaked LifeLock 400 excludes the rain-delayed portions, and marks a 23% decline from the 4.0 rating for the comparable race last year. The rating is the lowest for a NASCAR race on network television in at least three years, and is the second lowest final rating for a NASCAR race this season — on broadcast or cable.
NFL on CBS, Broncos/Colts. Prediction: 11.9. Final rating: 12.2. Ratings for CBS’ national game fell only slightly last Sunday.
Sunday Night Football, Eagles/Giants. Prediction: 9.9. Final rating: 9.4. Numbers are generally declining for the NFL this season, and especially in prime-time. The 9.4 for Eagles/Giants marks a 13% drop from the comparable Seahawks/Bears game last year. Four of NBC’s first five telecasts have fallen in the ratings.

This week’s predictions:

MLB Division Series on TBS, Diamondbacks/Cubs Game 3, 6:30 PM Saturday — One would expect a huge rating, with the big-market Cubs facing elimination. However, with Florida/LSU on CBS that night, TBS may be in for a challenge. Prediction: 3.6.
MLB Division Series on TBS, Phillies/Rockies Game 3, 10:00 PM Saturday — Will the early afternoon timeslots for Games 1 and 2 hurt the numbers for the rest of the series? Prediction: 2.8.
MLB Division Series on TBS, Red Sox/Angels Game 3, 3:00 PM Sunday — The #2 market in the U.S. versus one of the most storied teams in sports. If this series is 1-1 heading into Game 3, look for a decent rating, even opposite the almighty NFL. Prediction: 4.0.
MLB Division Series on TBS, Indians/Yankees Game 3, 6:30 PM Sunday — With the Yankees facing elimination, MLB, TBS and FOX have to each be holding their respective breaths. However, TBS can be happy that the Yankees teetering on the edge should lead to big numbers this Sunday. Prediction: 5.3.
NASCAR on ABC, UAW-Ford 500, 2:00 PM Sunday — It’s now or never for NASCAR on ABC. The comparable race last year drew a 4.8 rating on NBC, meaning that if the trend of ratings in the low 3.0s continues, ABC could be looking at a sharp, significant decline this weekend. Opposite the NFL on FOX and the baseball playoffs on Turner, this could be the low point of the season. Prediction: 3.5.
College football on ABC, Texas/Oklahoma, Iowa/Penn St. or NC State/FSU, 3:30 PM Saturday — The Red River Rivalry was not much of a draw for ABC last season, as the game drew a 3.1 rating. With both Texas and Oklahoma coming off of losses last week, look for another mediocre number. Prediction: 3.4.
Saturday Night Football on ABC, Ohio St./Purdue or Notre Dame/UCLA, 8:00 PM Saturday — Winless Notre Dame is still a bit of a draw; the Irish’ loss against Purdue last Saturday drew a 1.9 national rating for ESPN in the noon timeslot. Still, do not expect much of an audience to tune into the game this Saturday, especially with Florida/LSU on CBS. Luckily for ABC, last year’s ratings were so low that it should not take much to surpass them. Prediction: 3.0.
SEC on CBS, Florida/LSU, 8:00 PM Saturday — The defending national champion Gators, coming off of a loss, travel to Baton Rouge to play the #1 team in the nation. On paper, CBS is looking at a huge rating on Saturday night. Prediction: 4.8.
NFL on FOX, Buccaneers/Colts, 4:00 PM Sunday — Peyton Manning and the Colts are a big-time draw. Still, expect a big drop from last year’s Cowboys/Eagles game, which featured the return of Terrell Owens to Philadelphia. Prediction: 10.6.
Sunday Night Football, Bears/Packers, 8:15 PM Sunday — Brett Favre and the Packers are undefeated, and taking on the defending NFC Champion Bears. While that should make for a decent number, NBC may be hard pressed to draw a double-digit rating. Prediction: 9.0.