First, the results of last week’s predictions.
- SEC on CBS, Alabama/LSU. Prediction: 5.2. Final rating: 5.1. The 5.1 rating for #1 Alabama’s overtime win over LSU on Saturday was up 122% from a 2.3 for last year’s comparable Auburn/Georgia game. The 5.1 rating is the best of the season for a college football game on CBS.
- Saturday Night Football on ABC, Okla. St./Tx. Tech or Cal/USC. Prediction: 4.5. Final rating: 5.3. The 5.3 rating for last week’s regional matchups on Saturday Night Football was up 36% from a 3.9 for comparable coverage in ’07. Overall, ABC’s college football doubleheader last Saturday averaged a 4.9 rating, up 7% from a 4.6 for the comparable doubleheader in ’07.
- NFL on CBS, Colts/Steelers. Prediction: 12.6. Final rating: 13.6. The 13.6 for the Colts’ win over the Steelers last Sunday was down 13% from a 15.6 for Cowboys/Giants in ’07.
- Sunday Night Football on NBC, Giants/Eagles. Prediction: 10.8. Final rating: 11.0. Last Sunday’s battle between the #1 and #4 markets led to strong ratings for NBC. The 11.0 for the defending champion Giants’ win over the Eagles was up 2% from a 10.8 for last year’s comparable Colts/Chargers game.
- NASCAR on ABC, Checker O’Reilly Auto Parts 500. Prediction: 3.8. Final rating: 3.6. The 3.6 rating for the second-to-last race of the NASCAR season was off 5% from a 3.8 for the same race last year. The race was moved from ABC to ESPN2 at 7:30 PM ET; the ESPN2 portion of the race drew a 2.9 national rating from 7:28-8:04 PM ET.
This week’s predictions:
- NASCAR on ABC, Ford 400, 3:30 PM Sunday — The final race of the NASCAR season comes on the heels of unimpressive ratings and last week’s embarrassing preemption. With little drama remaining as Jimmie Johnson readies to win the Chase for the Cup for the third-straight year, expect ratings to drop from the 4.2 for the same race in ’07. Prediction: 3.9.
- College football on CBS, Notre Dame/Navy, 12 PM Saturday — While this matchup may have zero bearing on the rankings, the fact that Navy upset Notre Dame last year should add to the curiosity factor. The last time these teams played on CBS, the game drew a 2.3 rating. Prediction: 2.5.
- SEC on CBS, South Carolina/Florida, 3:30 PM Saturday — Steve Spurrier‘s first trip back to Gainesville drew a 3.9 rating in 2006. Look for smaller numbers this time around. Prediction: 3.5.
- Saturday Night Football on ABC, BC/FSU or OK/Colorado, 8 PM Saturday — After a run of marquee matchups, Saturday Night Football fields a relatively weak slate of regional games. Look for the ratings to fall back to earth. Prediction: 3.5.
- NFL on CBS, Chargers/Steelers, 4:15 PM Sunday — Look for this AFC matchup to draw decent numbers on CBS Sunday. Prediction: 12.4.
- Sunday Night Football on NBC, Cowboys/Washington, 8:15 PM Sunday — The biggest draw in football takes on its most heated rival, with the teams #2 and #3 in the high-profile NFC East. Look for NBC to draw its highest ratings of the season for Dallas against Washington. The same matchup in Week 11 last year drew a 15.0 rating on FOX. Prediction: 13.7.
