Ratings Predictions: Conference Championships & More

The SEC Championship game features a rematch of last year’s classic national championship as Alabama faces Georgia. The Tide have trounced the competition this season and are two-touchdown favorites entering Saturday’s game. Even so, the combination of last year’s thrilling finish, this year’s playoff implications, and the usual lack of competition (with apologies to UCF) should equal a strong rating. Last year, Georgia-Auburn had an 8.0 rating — the highest for the SEC title game since 2013. So far this season, the high-water mark is the 7.5 rating set by Michigan-Ohio State last week. Expect Saturday’s game to exceed both marks.

One number that will likely remain out of reach: the 9.8 rating Alabama-Georgia earned in the SEC title game six years ago. Prediction: 8.5.

For the first time since 1903, Oklahoma and Texas square off in a Red River Rivalry rematch. In October, Texas edged the Sooners in one of the season’s best games. That matchup had a 3.5 rating on FOX, tied as the second-highest in the Noon ET window all season. This week’s game should be even stronger, given the lack of competition. Last year’s Big 12 title game between Oklahoma and TCU had a 3.8. Prediction: 4.4.

Ohio State has played in four of the ten highest rated college football games this season, more than any other team. The Buckeyes’ drawing power should keep Big Ten Championship ratings on the strong side, especially with a playoff berth on the line. With that said, ratings should fall well short of last year’s Ohio State-Wisconsin title game, a top ten matchup (7.3). Prediction: 5.9.

Clemson’s dominance this season has not made for great television. Ratings have declined for eight of the Tigers’ last nine appearances on national TV, and this week’s ACC Championship should make it nine out of ten. Last year’s Clemson-Miami game had a 3.2, the lowest for the title game since it last aired on cable in 2012. Prediction: 2.5.

NFL ratings are starting to heat up. Entering Sunday, ratings have increased for nine of the last ten windows, with five of those hitting multi-year highs. That stretch has included the highest rated Monday Night Football game in four years, the highest rated Thursday Night Football game in two years, and the highest rated afternoon game of the season.

Expect Sunday’s NFL national window to keep the good times rolling. A whopping 90 percent of the country will get Vikings-Patriots, very nearly a Super Bowl matchup last season. With New England in its customary spot near the top of the AFC and Minnesota contending for a playoff spot, ratings should have no trouble surpassing last year’s 12.0 for Panthers-Saints. Prediction: 12.7.

The Chargers’ surprisingly strong season has netted the team a Sunday Night Football appearance. With L.A. facing one of the NFL’s more reliable draws in Pittsburgh, expect a good number. Last year’s comparable Eagles-Seahawks game had an 11.3. Prediction: 11.9.

It is not exactly a cushy timeslot given the NFL competition, but women’s college basketball gets some rare exposure on the flagship ESPN network this weekend as Notre Dame and UConn square off in a matchup of the nation’s top two teams — and a rematch of last year’s Final Four. In the same window last year, the same matchup had a 0.35 rating. Given everything that’s transpired since, a bigger number seems likely. Prediction: 0.48.

Since winning his first PGA Tour event since 2013 back in September, Tiger Woods has looked subpar at the Ryder Cup and lost a big-money exhibition to Phil Mickelson. He enters the weekend at the World Challenge tied for 14th in the 18-player field. Still, if there is one area never to bet against Woods, it is the TV ratings. Expect at least some gain over last year’s 1.2. Prediction: 1.4.