The college football bowl season got off to a relatively slow start in the overnights.
The UL-Lafayette/Nevada New Orleans Bowl earned a 1.6 overnight rating on ESPN Saturday morning, up 14% from UL-Lafayette/Tulane last year (1.4) but down 16% from UL-Lafayette/ECU in 2012 (1.9). The Ragin’ Cajuns’ win tied the highest college football overnight of the weekend and was the only game to have a year-over-year increase.
Later in the day, ABC also earned a 1.6 for the Utah/Colorado State Las Vegas Bowl — down 30% from USC/Fresno State last year (2.3) and down 47% from Boise State/Washington on ESPN in 2012 (3.0). The concurrent Utah State/UTEP New Mexico Bowl on ESPN drew a 1.3, down 32% from both Colorado State/Washington State last year and Arizona/Nevada in 2012 (1.9 both years).
The declines were even more pronounced later in the day, due to NFL competition. Airing opposite an Eagles/Washington game on NFL Network, the Air Force/Western Michigan Potato Bowl drew a 0.8 overnight — down 47% from San Diego State/Buffalo last year (1.5) and down 58% from Utah State/Toledo in 2012 (1.9).
Rounding out the action, the inaugural Bowling Green/South Alabama Camellia Bowl drew a 0.6 overnight. The game aired opposite a Chargers/49ers NFL game on CBS and NFL Network.
(Sat. overnights from Sports Business Daily)
