It was no match for the ‘Kick Six’ in the ratings, but Michigan State’s last second win against Michigan was a strong draw on ESPN.
The Michigan State/Michigan college football game drew a 5.1 overnight rating on ESPN Saturday afternoon, up 143% from Alabama/Arkansas in a later timeslot last year (2.1), up 96% from a 4OT Michigan/Penn State game in 2013 (2.6), and the highest college football overnight of the week on any network. ESPN or ABC has aired the top game in six of seven weeks this season.
The 5.1 overnight is the highest on record for an October college football game on ESPN (dating back to 2000), and the second-highest of the season overall. The top game of the season also aired on ESPN, Ohio State/Virginia Tech on Labor Day (6.6).
Overnights peaked at a 7.2 during the final quarter-hour of the game, in which the Spartans returned a fumbled punt attempt 38-yards for the winning touchdown as time expired. Of note, 2013’s ‘Kick Six’ game between Alabama and Auburn peaked at an 11.8 overnight during the final-half hour and averaged an 8.6 for the full telecast. That game took place later in the season with more on the line.
Boosted by the MSU/Michigan lead-in, Saturday night’s Florida/LSU game drew a 4.0 overnight rating — up 48% from Mississippi/Texas A&M last year (2.7) and up 18% from Texas A&M/Mississippi in 2013 (3.4), both of which aired in later timeslots. The Gators’ win ranked second for the weekend among college football games, topping Ohio State/Penn State on ABC (3.5) and USC/Notre Dame on NBC (2.9) head-to-head.
In the nightcap, Arizona State/Utah drew a 2.1 overnight — the highest of the season for a late night game on ESPN.
