The attention surrounding the end of Bobby Bowden‘s storied career had little effect on the overnight ratings for the Gator Bowl.
Florida State’s win over West Virginia in the Gator Bowl drew a 4.3 overnight on CBS Friday, even with last year’s Nebraska/Clemson matchup. Compared to Texas Tech/Virginia in ’08, Friday’s game was up 59%.
The Gator Bowl finished well behind the Capital One Bowl on ABC (6.9), though it did outdraw the NHL Winter Classic on NBC (2.6).
Elsewhere on CBS, Thursday’s Oklahoma/Stanford Sun Bowl drew a 3.6 overnight rating — up 50% from a 2.4 for last year’s Oregon St./Pittsburgh matchup, and the highest overnight for that bowl since Washington St./Purdue drew a 3.7 in ’01.
