It was not quite the ‘Game of the Century’ ratings-wise — Michigan/Ohio State still holds that honor — but Saturday’s matchup between #1 LSU and #2 Alabama scored massive numbers for CBS.
CBS earned an 11.9 overnight rating for #1 LSU/#2 Alabama Saturday night, the highest overnight for any non-bowl college football game since #2 Michigan/#1 Ohio State in 2006 (13.7, ABC).
Relative to CBS, the game was the highest rated in the metered markets since 1989 (ND/MIA: 14.5).
For some perspective, CBS’ first primetime game this season (ALA/UF) earned a 4.7 overnight, last year’s primetime game (UF/ALA) drew a 5.1, and the 2009 primetime game (UF/LSU) scored a 6.8.
Compared to other sports, LSU’s overtime victory drew a higher overnight than four of the five 2011 Bowl Championship Series games, five of the seven 2011 World Series games, and four of the six 2011 NBA Finals games. Saturday’s game also topped the final round of The Masters (10.4), the Women’s World Cup final (8.6, ESPN), and the Daytona 500 (8.2, FOX).
Last year’s #6 Alabama/#10 LSU matchup, which also took place in Week 10 of the season, earned a 4.4 overnight on CBS in the traditional 3:30 PM window.
(Saturday’s numbers from CBS Sports press release via TV By the Numbers)
