In their final meeting for 14 years, the Notre Dame-Michigan rivalry did well opposite the World Series last weekend.
Notre Dame-Michigan averaged a 3.8 rating and 6.75 million viewers on ABC’s Saturday Night Football last weekend, marking the highest rated and most-watched college football game opposite the World Series since Notre Dame-Oklahoma on ABC in 2012 (5.2, 8.63M).
The Wolverines’ easy win increased 81% in ratings and 94% in viewership from last year (Texas-Oklahoma State: 2.1, 3.49M) and 90% and 95% respectively from 2017 (regional: 2.0, 3.46M).
Compared to last year’s meeting between Notre Dame and Michigan, which aired on NBC in week one of the season, ratings and viewership fell 5% from a 4.0 and 7.09 million. The rivals’ previous meeting on ESPN/ABC — back in 2013 — averaged a 5.3 and 8.65 million.
Detroit led all markets for the game with an 18.1 rating, followed by Ohio markets Columbus (15.8) and Dayton (8.0). Indianapolis (7.5) and Cincinnati (7.2) rounded out the top five.
Earlier in the day, Oklahoma-Kansas State averaged a 2.7 and 4.21 million — up 35% in ratings and 33% in viewership from last year (Clemson-FSU: 2.0, 3.16M) and up 23% and 25% respectively from 2017 (Oklahoma State-West Virginia: 2.2, 3.37M).
The Wildcats’ upset win peaked with 8.7 million viewers from 3:30 PM ET through the conclusion. It averaged a 27.8 in Oklahoma City and a 23.6 in Tulsa, with Birmingham, Ala., the top neutral market (16.9).
Rounding out a day of double-digit increases for ABC, Penn State-Michigan State averaged a 2.3 (+64%) and 3.92 million (+92%). The network has posted an increase for six straight games.
Over on ESPN, Arkansas-Alabama led the week nine slate with a 1.2 and 2.12 million last Saturday night — down a tick in ratings and 3% in viewership from last year (1.3, 2.18M), but up a third and 29% respectively from 2017 (0.9, 1.64M). Both games pit Mississippi State against Texas A&M.
Washington State-Oregon pulled a 1.1 (+57%) and 1.90 million (+60%) later in the night.
ESPN’s afternoon games plunged. Miami-Pittsburgh declined 53% in ratings (to 0.7) and 55% in viewership (to 1.08M) and Maryland-Minnesota a whopping 78% (to 0.44) and 80% (to 663K), respectively. Its Thursday night game also declined, with SMU-Houston off 17% (to 0.5) and 21% (to 769K).
Over on ESPN2, the top game of the week was USC-Colorado last Friday night, with a 0.51 (+9%) and 773,000 (+10%).
[Nielsen estimates from ESPN PR 10.29, ShowBuzz Daily 10.29]
