Despite the Noon ET start time, the latest chapter of the Ohio State/Michigan rivalry earned strong numbers for ABC.
The November 26 clash between Ohio State and #15 Michigan earned a 5.1 final rating and 7.958 million viewers on ABC, up 28% in ratings and 16% in viewership from the same matchup in Week 13 last year (MICH/OSU: 4.0, 6.886M). The teams’ 2009 meeting took place in Week 12 of the season.
Michigan’s win earned the highest rating for an Ohio State/Michigan game since 2007 (6.0). In addition, the game stands as the highest rated and most-viewed afternoon college football game on ABC this season.
In the middle game of ABC’s tripleheader, regional action including #5 Virginia Tech/Virginia scored a 2.8 and 4.539 million viewers, down 20% in ratings and 23% in viewership from last year (NWU/WISC*: 3.5, 5.874M).
The nightcap, #22 Notre Dame/#6 Stanford, drew a 3.9 and 6.158 million viewers — down 20% in ratings and 25% in viewership from last year (OKST/OU*: 4.9, 8.234M), and down 13% and 14%, respectively, from 2009 (ND/STAN*: 4.5, 7.184M).
The previous day, ABC earned a 2.7 final rating and 4.259 million viewers for Iowa/#21 Nebraska, up 17% in ratings and 21% in viewership from last year (WVU/PITT: 2.3, 3.533M). Meanwhile, Boston College/Miami drew a mere 1.4 and 2.103 million viewers, down 18% and 24%, respectively, from last year (COL/NEB: 1.7, 2.763M).
(Numbers from Media Life Magazine, with assistance from Jason Clinkscales)
