Iron Bowl ratings hit a four-year high in the metered markets.
Saturday’s Alabama-Auburn “Iron Bowl” had a 7.8 overnight rating on CBS, up 66% from last year (4.7), up 47% from 2015 (5.3), and the highest for the annual rivalry game since the infamous “Kick Six” in 2013 (8.6).
The Tigers’ upset win, which peaked at a 10.7 from 6:30-7 PM ET, delivered the highest college football overnight of the season. The previous high was a 7.3 for Alabama-Florida State on ABC in week one.
In three of the past five years, Iron Bowl ratings have topped a 7.0 in the metered markets. The 2014 game on ESPN had a 7.2.
In other rivalry action, Ohio State-Michigan scored a 6.7 overnight on FOX — down 36% from last year, when both teams were ranked in the top five and the game went to double-overtime (10.4), and down a tick from 2015 (6.8). Those games aired on ABC.
The 6.7 is the third-highest for the rivalry game since their #1 vs. #2 matchup in 2006.
It is also the second-highest ever for college football on FOX, excluding bowl games. The 2013 Ohio State-Michigan State Big Ten Championship holds the top spot (7.9). The previous #2 mark was a 6.4 for Penn State-Ohio State last month. The Big Ten has generated the five largest overnights on FOX.
Figures for the weekend’s other games were not immediately available.
[Wknd. numbers from CBS Sports, Fox Sports PR 11.26]
