First, the results of last week’s predictions.
- College football on ABC, Michigan/Ohio State. Prediction: 4.7. Final rating: N/A.
- College football on ABC, Mich. St./Penn. St. or other regional action. Prediction: 4.5. Final rating: N/A.
- Saturday Night Football on ABC, Texas Tech/Oklahoma. Prediction: 7.3. Final rating: 6.6. The 6.6 final rating for the Sooners’ blowout of the Red Raiders last Saturday was flat from the comparable Missouri/Kansas game in ’07, and marks the third-highest college football rating of the season.
- LPGA on NBC, ADT Championship, Final Round. Prediction: 0.7. Final rating: N/A.
- MLS on ABC, Crew/Red Bulls. Prediction: 0.7. Final rating: N/A.
- NFL on FOX, Giants/Cardinals. Prediction: 13.7. Final rating: 14.5. FOX drew the third-highest NFL rating of the season on the strength of Giants/Cardinals. The 14.5 for the Giants’ win marks a 6% increase from comparable coverage in ’07, and falls behind only a 14.7 for Cowboys/Cardinals in October and a 15.3 for Patriots/Jets in September.
- Sunday Night Football on NBC, Colts/Chargers. Prediction: 10.5. Final rating: 9.5. The 9.5 final rating for the Colts’ win over the Chargers was 29% from a 13.4 for last year’s comparable Eagles/Patriots game.
This week’s predictions.
- College football on ABC, Florida/Florida State, 3:30 PM Saturday — The possibility of a major upset, however slim, could attract some eyeballs to this Sunshine state rivalry. Prediction: 4.5.
- Saturday Night Football on ABC, Oklahoma/Oklahoma State, 8 PM Saturday — With the #3 Sooners in the national title hunt, and on the road against a Top 25 rival, look for ABC to draw strong ratings for Saturday Night Football. Prediction: 6.8.
- College football on ESPN, Notre Dame/USC, 8 PM Saturday — For the first time in well over a decade, Notre Dame/USC will air on cable. While last year’s game between the rivals drew a mere 1.7 on over-the-air NBC, look for an increase in ratings this time around thanks to a later timeslot and more promotion. Prediction: 2.2.
- Golf on ABC, LG Skins Game, 3:30 PM Sunday — Do not expect the LG Skins Game to be immune from the sharp ratings drops golf has incurred this season. Last year, Sunday coverage of the event drew a 1.4 overnight rating (final ratings are unavailable), and two years ago, it drew a 1.7 final rating. Prediction: 1.0.
- NFL on CBS, Steelers/Patriots, 4:15 PM Sunday — Last year, the matchup between the Patriots and Steelers drew a massive 18.4 rating. This year’s game will not even come close to those numbers, though it should still perform well in the ratings. Prediction: 13.3.
- Sunday Night Football on NBC, Bears/Vikings, 8 PM Sunday — The Bears and Vikings may be tied for the lead in the NFC North, but a matchup of two 6-5 teams does not equal must-see-television. Prediction: 9.7.
